And they said Glenn Beck was a “conservative.” Hee! You have probably heard by now liberal cause celebre Harry Reid (D – Nevada) provided a most deplorable quote to the authors of a book on Obama called “Game Change.” Sen. Reid is quoted as saying he believed that ” the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama — a light-skinned African American with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one..”
Senator Reidneck now joins fellow supremacists Trent Lott, Strom Thurmond, Jimmy the Greek, Mel Gibson, Michael Richards, Dog the Bounty Hunter and many others in the race relations hall of shame.
But wait, everyone makes mistakes, right? What’s a little negro talk on the side? Time for Senator Reidneck to turn that frown upside down and get back to work! We gots health care to pass! Good thing e-how.com provides a prescription for racist remark recovery. Here is the list of steps Sen. Reidneck should take and an update on each..
Step 1
Recognize and acknowledge the mistake. Look at the comment made and admit it was racist. Understand the negative statement was your fault and the blame lies with you not the person insulted.
Sen Reidneck: Yep, he acknowledged it. “I deeply regret…” getting caught.
Step 2
Apologize for your actions. Try to speak to the individual in person to make a sincere apology. When that option is unavailable send a letter of other from of correspondence.
Sen Reidneck: Yep, he called the prez and broke it down. Presumably something like, “Dude, my bad.. on that. Are we still cool? Hey wanna go catch a Negro leagues baseball game tonight? Is that Jackie Robinson feller still playing?”
Step 3
Listen to their response and be patient. The apology won’t make the words or the pain inflicted automatically fade away.
Sen Reidneck: He’s waiting. Although his patience has probably worn thin with the press. He’s presumably ranting, “It’s not like I went full Michael Richards or something!! And what’s wrong with the word ‘Negro’ anyways???? It means “black” in Spanish doesn’t it!!?? I bet Rush friggin’ Limbaugh doesn’t even know that!”
Step 4
Determine what insecurities lead to the racist comment. People who make racist comments often feel oppressed or have trouble recognizing their own self worth. Identify your shortcoming and learn what is at the heart of your fear.
Sen Reidneck: No word on his insecurities so far. Wonder if his home state 33% approval rating has anything to do with it.
Step 5
Take sensitivity training. Take anti-racism classes to learn appropriate ways to handle future issues and prevent racist comments from reoccurring.
Sen Reidneck: Yeah get out a little more, huh? And stop listening to Don Imus. And no, it is NOT a good idea to be Al Jolson for halloween.
Step 6
Deal with the consequences. Your words may affect personal relationships, your career and many other parts of life. Determine a plan to handle the fallout and prepare for any financial losses or damaged relationships that occur.
Sen Reidneck: Just admit it Sen. Reidneck, you are a repressed hillbilly and you know it. Liberate yourself and come all the way out.. the sheet.. the hood.. come on… get it over with.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/09/AR2010010902141.html
Source: http://www.lvrj.com/news/reid-hits-new-low-in-poll-81060702.html
Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_2094298_apologize-racist-comment.html
Reid’s comment is better categorized as insulting to white than it is a racist comment (Trent Lott et al).
Reid is essentially saying that it would be difficult for a dark-skinned candidate speaking ebonics to win a presidential race, and he points out that Obama has neither of these characteristics.
Reid is probably right in his assessment, but just the same this white American feels a bit slighted by Reid throwing the truth in our face like this!
I totally disagree. Reid’s comment was brazen racism at its subtle finest [worst[. Listen to it from a black man’s perspective. You may feel a little different after hearing some more diverse viewpoints.
Mark
The truth of the matter is that America has only once been willing to elect a Catholic president. Similarly, America has shied away from Jewish & Mormon candidates and despite sizable populations in the US don’t even think about Asian-Americans, Latinos, etc etc
Reid is guilty of speaking an unspoken political truth. American voters are fickle, xenophobic, and in some cases outright prejiduced. I have read the context of his statement, and this much is very clear to me. African-Americans can be outraged all they want, but the rest of America should use Reid’s hamfisted honesty as a chance to look in the mirror. The whole debate whether African-Americans should be outraged or not completely sidesteps the specifics of Reid’s comment, in my opinion.
Here is the greater context around Reids remark, from the book “Game Change”
* * *
encouragement of Obama was unequivocal. He was wowed by Obama’s oratorical gifts and believed that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama — a “light-skinned” African American “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,” as he said privately. Reid was convinced, in fact, that Obama’s race would help him more than hurt him in a bid for the Democratic nomination.