Another View: GOP Not Racist; It’s for Freedom
Sacramento Bee ^ | Sunday, Jun. 19, 2011 | Craig DeLuz
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2011 3:56:21 AM by nickcarraway
Published: Sunday, Jun. 19, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 3E Re "Racist cartoon of Obama forces me to leave GOP" (Viewpoints, June 12):
In his commentary, my longtime friend Ken Barnes stated that because Republicans were not sufficiently outraged by a racist cartoon that "as a proud black man I can no longer be a member of the Republican Party."
Well as a fellow proud black man, let me offer a different perspective.
President Barack Obama has been subjected to the same over-the-top criticism as President George W. Bush. Yes, some of the imagery does contain racial overtones. But notice that many of the caricatures are merely remakes of those the left created to mock Bush: a Nazi, a terrorist, a pimp, a monkey and a witch doctor.
Over-the-top criticism of politicians dates back to America's founding. New media have only made it worse. I'm not saying that's a good thing or that it hasn't gone too far. But let's stop pretending it's something new, created to undermine the first black president.
Like Ken, I came from a Democratic background. Like Ken, I left the Democratic Party because it became clear that it didn't represent my values.
Like Ken, I refuse to be the black face of the GOP, parroting the talking points of the day, whether they be right or wrong. Like Ken, I will not sit back and let people disguise their racist actions and attitudes in the cloak of conservatism.
Like Ken, it was a commitment to values that brought me to the GOP. But unlike Ken, it is that same commitment that keeps me here.
this content is copyright protected 2010 by SEA CHANGE, llc.
Sacramento Bee ^ | Sunday, Jun. 19, 2011 | Craig DeLuz
Posted on Thursday, June 23, 2011 3:56:21 AM by nickcarraway
Published: Sunday, Jun. 19, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 3E Re "Racist cartoon of Obama forces me to leave GOP" (Viewpoints, June 12):
In his commentary, my longtime friend Ken Barnes stated that because Republicans were not sufficiently outraged by a racist cartoon that "as a proud black man I can no longer be a member of the Republican Party."
Well as a fellow proud black man, let me offer a different perspective.
President Barack Obama has been subjected to the same over-the-top criticism as President George W. Bush. Yes, some of the imagery does contain racial overtones. But notice that many of the caricatures are merely remakes of those the left created to mock Bush: a Nazi, a terrorist, a pimp, a monkey and a witch doctor.
Over-the-top criticism of politicians dates back to America's founding. New media have only made it worse. I'm not saying that's a good thing or that it hasn't gone too far. But let's stop pretending it's something new, created to undermine the first black president.
Like Ken, I came from a Democratic background. Like Ken, I left the Democratic Party because it became clear that it didn't represent my values.
Like Ken, I refuse to be the black face of the GOP, parroting the talking points of the day, whether they be right or wrong. Like Ken, I will not sit back and let people disguise their racist actions and attitudes in the cloak of conservatism.
Like Ken, it was a commitment to values that brought me to the GOP. But unlike Ken, it is that same commitment that keeps me here.
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this content is copyright protected 2010 by SEA CHANGE, llc.
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