“That Conversation about Race” category archive
Nixon’s Southern Strategy Marches On 0
Thom examines the Republican Party’s strategy to flood the zone with excrement.
A Notion of Immigrants, “As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap” Dept. 0
There is much gnashing of teeth and flowering of fulminations over the desire of migrants from Central America to migrate northward, ultimately to the United States. Those who bemoan immigration, particularly immigration of persons with (ahem) darker skin and foreign accents, want them stopped, ofttimes forgetting that, a generation or two or three ago, persons who were already here wanted to forbid their own ancestors from arriving on these shores.
Aviva Chomsky reminds us that the United States is neither an innocent bystander nor a blameless victim in this current northward migration.
(snip)
In Nicaragua, the Sandinista revolution succeeded in overthrowing the U.S.-supported Somoza dictatorship in 1979. Somoza’s corruption and violence had alienated even Nicaragua’s business classes, and a broad popular front implemented a mixed economy promoting popular organization, land reform and the socialization of basic services. But the Reagan administration saw this and similar revolutionary projects in El Salvador and Guatemala as stalking horses for communism. It helped Central American elites and militaries to overthrow governments and crush popular movements.
Aside:
Last night, at our DL gathering, we were discussing how persons once derided as “not white,” such as Irish and Italians, have been assimilated into whiteness. We wondered what group will be next.
The Lies (and Liars) of the Land 0
David parses the Kayleigh McEnany’s lie about the Founders and slavery. (Warning: Short commercial at the end, but you don’t have to watch it.)
“You Asked for It” (Updated) 0
When I was a young ‘un, back in the olden days, there was a television show named “You Asked for It.” Its episodes focused on topics requested by the audience. (I particularly remember a show about the La Brea Tar Pits.)
Well, it seems that some folks still can’t help asking for it (and then acting surprised when they get it).
Addendum:
When the Truth Hurts, Hurt the Truth, One More Time 0
A Texas museum has been pressured not to talk about the role of slavery in Texas history.
Authors of the book, titled “Forget the Alamo,” and the publisher, Penguin Random House, say the cancellation of the event, which had 300 RSVPs, amounts to censorship from Republican elected leaders and an overreaction to the book’s examination of racism in Texas history.
Much more at the link.
We Weren’t There 0
The Rude One watched the New York Time’s compilation video of the January 6 insurrection so you (and I) don’t have to. (Warning: Language.)
When the Truth Hurts, Hurt the Truth Redux 0
At The Philadelphia Inquirer, a Philadelphia history teacher comments on the coverup. Here’s a bit of what she has to say; follow the link for the rest.
(snip)
If the anti-critical race theory and anti-truth forces have their way, many Americans — particularly my fellow white people — will not know what historically has been done in our name, and we will be denied the opportunity to acknowledge, understand, and repair it.
Those who know not the truth will live lies.
Fragility 0
AL.com’s Roy Johnson discusses the 625 persons who have signed a petition against providing anti-bias training to educators in an Alabama school district. A snippet:
This is like saying, say, nutritional counseling focuses too much on food.
Follow the link for context.
Limitations of Statues 0
The Arizona Republic’s Laurie Roberts remarks on the hypocrisy of Republicans who would deny America’s history of racism while honoring those who fought to preserve race-based chattel slavery. A nugget:
Follow the link for her complete article.
And, while on the topic . . . . F. T. Rea reflects on Confederate statues and the removal thereof in the estwhile capital of the Confederacy.
The Privatization Scam Redux 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, Jack Schneider and Jennifer C. Berkshire detail how the current ginned-up “controversy” on critical race theory in public schools, where it is not a thing, can be traced back to Ronald Reagan’s hostility to funding the public good. A snippet (emphasis added):
What matters, instead, is generating enough ill will to drive forward the only education policy Ronald Reagan ever cared about: privatization.