Indianapolis and debate many issue with the host Greg Garrison, a
conservative former prosecutor in the area. This particular show he
went off when I questioned some of his comment of how "Barack Obama
scared him" and how he "absolutely fears this man. He was praising
Sarah Palin for her "experience" and grace and how she is a breath of
fresh political air, etc. This is the letter I wrote to explain
further my position. For an archive of the show go to
(http://wibc.com)
_________________________
Greg,
I fully understand your frustration with people using race as a factor when bringing up certain issues, and your visibly (audibly) getting upset this morning. Let me be clear I was NOT calling YOU a racist! Please check the archive of the show this morning (September 24, 2008, around 10:37 AM). Believe it or not Greg racism is still a problem, perhaps not as overtly institutional as a generation ago, but it certainly still does exist on an individual basis. I am sure that at least one, two or maybe even a thousand of these individuals listening tune in and hear "Look, guys, I'm a smart guy, a lawyer even, and I am so afraid of the Black man running for president...but the other candidate's VP, whom I have only heard speak once or twice, she has to be all right....she's White AND a woman, so we have NOTHING to fear with her." I know the power of radio, and even further know the power of ignorance, primarily why I chose to get into education and dedicate my life to helping dispossessed people around the world. And face it, like your guest said today, most Americans get their news from talk radio and the internet, and a lot of it, yes including your show, is from a narrow perspective. When I can hear colleagues regurgitating
comments from the day before's Rush Show it worries me, especially since, when challenged on their view they give me a look as if to say, "Well I heard it on the [news/Rush/Garrison/Fox/etc.] so it must be [what I should be thinking/true/valid]."
You gave a lot of time today in defense of YOU not being a racist, and I do respect you for your comments, your show and that you allow me on even though you know 93% of the time I will have an opposing viewpoint. You even said that you "don't want that (the race card) brought up again." That's great but I challenge you to have a conversation with anyone about the GOPs VP choice without bringing up the 1) she's a woman, 2) opposing views on her are sexist. Perceived
racism/sexism, is just as real as the indoctrination of it. For according to some examples you have said on your show, i.e. African Americans are CEO of large corporations (Dick Parsons, Bob Johnson, Kenneth Chenault, others), have an equal access to higher education, have served in the highest branches of our government (Senate, Congress, Supreme Court, Sec. of State,etc.), even one of them is running for president, so by in large we can move passed this race thing.
We have moved a very, and I mean very long way from the racist (and sexist) founding of this country. But when you can say people are being sexist for their view of one and NOT being racist for the other, I question your intentions. Haven't women been given the same access to education, been leaders of government, large corporations, and 18 million people voted to have one as the Chief Executive of their beloved country? Are not we beyond the sexism that has defined Western Civilization? Why not give as much time explaining this to your listening audience?
On the issues, Palin is empty, you have to realize this. She was chosen and a political ploy to win votes, not make policy. Obama, whether you agree with his policies, is at least speaking about them. McCain's campaign chief admitted at the RNC that the election is about personality, not policy or the issues. This scare me to no end that they'd rather have an empty pretty face one heart beat away from the Presidency, then a proven uniter of both policy and personality.
I enjoy our conversations, regardless if in my attempt to try to at least get someone to think about the other side actually happens, I would like to continue trying. But, I certainly apologize for being unclear as to calling you a racist, for I was not......can't promise not to bring up race though, for I believe it is an important subject to explore.
Derrick
http://www.dslack.com
No comments:
Post a Comment