[Vision2020] words and actions (Testosterone Reality Check)

[Paul Rumelhart]

Joe Campbell wrote:
> Paul,
>
> To what extent do liberals have to support "diversity"? To the extent 
> of racism? Do you think the acceptability of slavery is an idea I have 
> to sustain in order to remain a true liberal? I don't.

Liberals supporting diversity is an observation, not a commandment.  
It's a stereotype.  Besides, there is a difference between having to 
agree with an idea and accepting it as a valid viewpoint.  I haven't 
seen Gary subscribing to any views that are as rock-solid racist as what 
you describe.  If I'm remembering correctly, he's complaining that you 
can't adequately criticize a black President or a star black athlete 
because you will automatically be assumed to be a racist.  I think, 
unfortunately, that he has a point.

>
> Maybe I'm commited to the view that people have the right to say 
> whatever they want but that includes my right to say when they've gone 
> too far. All you have to do is look at the subject lines of No 
> Weatherman's posts in November and October. I think that that went too 
> far and if you don't please come by Tursday and explain to me why not.

You do have the right to say what you wish, and so does he.  I'm not 
claiming anything different, and I wouldn't have the authority to 
anyway.  I've conversed with No Weatherman, civilly, about a few of 
those topics.  You run into the same question.  If someone vehemently 
detests a particular person of color, does that necessarily make them a 
racist?  It might be a symptom of an underlying feeling of racism, but 
it might also be a coincidence.  Only Gary or No Weatherman could know 
for sure, and they might be unaware of it themselves.

I grew up far more racist than I like to admit.  I always fought against 
overt racism, but that didn't change my inherent prejudices until my 
world expanded and I had occasion to interact with more people outside 
of my race and cultural background.  The way to fight racism is to mix 
culturally.  Handing out fliers in a public arena in an attempt to 
expose a person's prejudices is likely not to work and will probably 
back-fire on you.

>
> Again the issue isn't whether one has a right to say such things. I 
> won't be denying that. But whether the comments in question are 
> racist. I think they are Crabtree thinks they are not. I'm going to 
> try to show that he us wrong.

So let's say, just for the sake of argument, that Gary is a 
card-carrying Racist.  Is exposing him in public really the correct way 
to help him?  Does it do anything at all helpful for him, or is it just 
to make you feel like you've won a point? 

>
> How am I failing according to your standards of what it is to be a 
> liberal?

If anything, you're failing my standards of what it is to be polite.  
Harassing passers-by in order to make a point in public is not polite, 
nor is trying to publicly expose some you think is racist.

Who am I, anyway?  Do as you like.  I just disagree with it.

Paul