This is great, and good to keep in mind . . . so I don't lose mine.
However, watch out:
Back then, instead of a very visible single individual to focus their hate and prejudice upon (Obama), conservatives had a whole class of people to target: those on welfare. Political winds have changed in sixteen years, and there's nary a word said about welfare reform these days, but it was a big issue back in 1994.
Your historical perspective from the beginning of the nation nails it, man, gets it right on the head.
I have the same trouble with 'nothing new' that I always do - something, at least, has changed. Even if that's only us having done it. In 1994, I was, of course, oblivious to any of this - but I was completely oblivious to just how extreme people can be, and the hideous amounts of racism I grew up with (and am still surrounded by. Must remember to let them fuel the urgency of work), until this year.
Don't forget the anti-Muslim rhetoric crawling around, either, or the ostensible event that started this ream of crazy. Or the drone strikes - I doubt we were impinging on the sovereignty of the sixth biggest nation in the world in 1994.
Things look the same but they always change. Watch the reactions you get when you say "I can't wait until the majority language in the States is Spanish". I hope it happens... and just suddenly comes. Just your friendly resident SF reader hopping into the fray. :D
Thank you for taking the time to post this. Thank you for giving me a much needed calm, rational, and informed perspective on this crap. And THANK YOU for (pardon the horrible pun) calling a spade a spade!
I have been saying for two years now that the people who hate Obama with all their sweet Christian hearts and keep saying it's not about race are completely full of something that would really stink up their tea party. Lord ha' mercy! Tha's a negro in charge!
I grew up in the gentry-fied new South. I know all about people who make a grand show of their lack of prejudice in public and then sit around the table at dinner telling the latest nigger joke. It's appalling.
It's good to know that even if the insanity takes hold again for a little while, we'll come out ahead in the end. I just hope those zealots don't do anything irreparable in the mean time.
Comments 4
However, watch out:
Back then, instead of a very visible single individual to focus their hate and prejudice upon (Obama), conservatives had a whole class of people to target: those on welfare. Political winds have changed in sixteen years, and there's nary a word said about welfare reform these days, but it was a big issue back in 1994.
http://www.newsweek.com/blogs/the-gaggle/2010/10/05/gop-closing-arguments-no-more-food-stamps.html
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I have the same trouble with 'nothing new' that I always do - something, at least, has changed. Even if that's only us having done it. In 1994, I was, of course, oblivious to any of this - but I was completely oblivious to just how extreme people can be, and the hideous amounts of racism I grew up with (and am still surrounded by. Must remember to let them fuel the urgency of work), until this year.
Don't forget the anti-Muslim rhetoric crawling around, either, or the ostensible event that started this ream of crazy. Or the drone strikes - I doubt we were impinging on the sovereignty of the sixth biggest nation in the world in 1994.
Things look the same but they always change. Watch the reactions you get when you say "I can't wait until the majority language in the States is Spanish". I hope it happens... and just suddenly comes. Just your friendly resident SF reader hopping into the fray. :D
Reply
Thank you for taking the time to post this. Thank you for giving me a much needed calm, rational, and informed perspective on this crap. And THANK YOU for (pardon the horrible pun) calling a spade a spade!
I have been saying for two years now that the people who hate Obama with all their sweet Christian hearts and keep saying it's not about race are completely full of something that would really stink up their tea party. Lord ha' mercy! Tha's a negro in charge!
I grew up in the gentry-fied new South. I know all about people who make a grand show of their lack of prejudice in public and then sit around the table at dinner telling the latest nigger joke. It's appalling.
It's good to know that even if the insanity takes hold again for a little while, we'll come out ahead in the end. I just hope those zealots don't do anything irreparable in the mean time.
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