Doing so without acknowledging the complexity of the opposition, however, makes it look like ALL opposition to Obama and health care reform is substantive.
Which is far closer to the reality, than the idea that a substantial amount of the opposition is racist. Painting opposition as racism is what really distorts the understanding of the opposition. The charge deserves to be ridiculed, and doing so, to the extent its effective, gives a more accurate picture of what's really going on. The charge is offensive, inaccurate, and actually more likely to give cover to racism than defense against the charge, including defense through counter-attack and ridicule. If the charge racism is used casually and broadly, it will not only slander good people, but also begin to lose its power.
Those that really believe the charge are deluding themselves about the opposition. Those that recognize reality are cynically using the charge to try to shut down debate, or give themselves and their side and advantage in the debate.
They don't need cover because they aren't racist.
They need cover from the charge of racism because they are being charged with it, and its a powerful charge in today's society., and they deserve cover because they aren't racist and the charge shouldn't be leveled against them. |
