The Atlantic - Latest Comments in In defense of white racism

Re: In defense of white racism

phemanderac — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 17:47:03 -0000

Came accross this by accident (and somewhat belatedly). Spot on application of irony, I am in envy of your ability there.

There I was just looking for info to further shoot down a self confessed racist who claimed it is racist to call a racist a racist. Yeah, I know, ludicrous isn't it, long story and not relevant probably.

Your comments gave me a good laugh, even in hindsight and from a foreign perspective. Thanks.

Re: In defense of white racism

Carrington Ward — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 12:20:41 -0000

Coates' inner elitist coming out.

Still, there is a lot to be said for the 'talented tenth.'

Re: In defense of white racism

marcg — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:46:27 -0000

This post may amuse some out there but this is the thinking of so many white liberals. They think, 'yeah, racism is horrible but some Blacks almost deserve what they get'. Another, less nuanced manifestation that racism improves the stock of the oppressed by making them work harder, longer, better.

Re: In defense of white racism

Paul Gilmartin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:16:05 -0000

someone, what are you trying to say? Evidence? Get real.

You ever watch "The Untouchables"?

De Niro playing Al Capone at one point asks "Why do we laugh? We laugh because it's funny and we laugh because it's true." That's exactly the case here.

Even as we continue to struggle against racism, many in our society have drawn battle lines and refuse to budge. Of course TNC is not calling for more racism in that his request will be granted. But we will get more racism nonetheless and his overall point is spot on, nothing helps to breakdown racism and challenge people to think, than a stupid loud-mouthed person (Ferraro springs to mind) trying to use race to their advantage.

p.s. TNC, Dungy won the superbowl with the Colts.

Re: In defense of white racism

someone — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:44:16 -0000

Ta Nehisi, you seem to be a person who seems to prefer "I don't know" rather than making up statements without evidence. You simply do not have any evidence for a lot of the speculations that you make in your post.

And people, please don't immediately call me a troll. A troll is someone who causes chaos for lulz. I respect Ta Nehisi, but am trying to make a point.

Re: In defense of white racism

Wm_Tucker — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:35:28 -0000

I get the attempt at irony.

It doesn't work. But I understand what you're trying to say; Whites have lowered the Culture Bar to where Blacks are no longer required to be exceptional just to be accepted.

The new racism is every Black person is Will Smith, Oprah, Tony Dungy, etc... perfect... and therefore an elitist snob.

Re: In defense of white racism

A. Hassan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:27:49 -0000

I never looked at it from this angle .....very insightful.

Re: In defense of white racism

Brandon — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:15:47 -0000

There is a reason Tony Dungy was the first winning coach in Tampa Bay's history--he had to be.

Chris Rock said it best when he observed that (I am paraphrasing) true equality will have arrived when Black people are allowed to be mediocre.

Two words - Herm Edwards. Are we there yet?

Re: In defense of white racism

Sansouci — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:09:04 -0000

Chris Rock said it best when he observed that (I am paraphrasing) true equality will have arrived when Black people are allowed to be mediocre.

Re: In defense of white racism

goldnick — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:46:41 -0000

I was going to say that what we really need here is just more sexism, but I suppose that would not really help. We couldn't ask her to have more kids, be more attractive or wink at us any more than she does. It also wouldn't do any good to try and require her to consult more often with her husband on how she should do her job. Bring on the white racism.

Re: In defense of white racism

Andrew Fly — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:21:13 -0000

The Devil Rays are going to go down, hard. I'm still pissed the Sox didn't nail Crawford in the ribs or something like that. How many batters can be hit with impunity? This wouldn't have happened if Izzy Alcantara were around.

In case anyone is wondering, This is Izzy Alcantara

Re: In defense of white racism

grawk — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:06:15 -0000

Dude, my irony detector don't go that high... It broke. Now, you owe me a new one. Spread the wealth, is what I say.

I also do plumbing on the side. Ya heard.

Re: In defense of white racism

OH! — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:45:32 -0000

"Keep errors to a minimum, and do all of the little things right."

Yes. They also do the little things right because they are not trying to change their image (have you seen the old pictures of Sarah Palin's wardrobe choices?): the Obamas are living they way they always have--financially modest (one car, one house, down-market clothes).

Re: In defense of white racism

Schiffon — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:20:16 -0000

A funny and positive spin on the black tax and white privilege.

Re: In defense of white racism

anna perez — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:28:24 -0000

I love u TN but this time u are wrong. I watched a fabulous doc about STAX records tonight on PBS and two things in particular stuck out--the integrated band Booker T and the MGs and the Staple Singers. The music created by Booker T (who his White band members always said, gratefully, was the real musician of the group) was a wonderful amalgamation of soul, jazz, hillbilly and pop. And "Respect Yourself" should be our national anthem. It all reminded me of what Barack is trying to doing thirty years later. Please, no more racism.

Re: In defense of white racism

Daverock — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:32:27 -0000

Hey- you bringing up the Four Tops reminded me of some sad news- had you seen that Levi Stubbs died a few days ago?

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx/?news=335151

What a great singer. And the fact that they were together for 40+ years is bananas.

Re: In defense of white racism

Sorn — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:55:08 -0000

"You know what our mothers and fathers always told us: you need to be twice as good to get half the credit."

Props.

I heard the same thing about how "you'll have to work twice as hard to get half the credit because you didn't come from a rich family."

Good parents will always tell their kids to work harder than the other guy.

I'm still not sure about the whole "What if Sarah Palin were black" question. Is it a fair question? . I think the question should rather be "What if she were ugly? or Fat?"

Re: In defense of white racism

jetan — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:15:35 -0000

This is some funny shit, Mr. Coates. It reminds me of the guys in Dune who thought God had had given them a desert to toughen them up.

But, like a lot of good humor, there is a core of uncomfortable truth at the core. It's a little bit of the "credit to his race" thing. You are probably too young to remember Sidney Poitier saying that he wouldn't portray a villain "until his people had heroes". I think most of the pioneer entertainers and athletes were very conscious of their role as gate-crashers and this probably why in so many ways their bearing, manners and conduct were so superior to most of their white competitors (I'm thinking of really elegant personae like Paul Robeson and Duke Ellington). Some of these guys even got unfairly labeled "Uncle Toms" (like Sammy Davis or Hattle McCaniel).

This was on my mind due to the contremps regarding Governor Palin's wardrobe costs. If Michelle Obama had been this stupid I have no doubt that cable news would be on it 24/7. But she didn't....instead she went on "The View" with a nice low-budget number. This what makes Michelle and Barack such a good small-ball team. Keep errors to a minimum, and do all of the little things right. Maybe in few decades there could be a black candidate for Pres who could demonstrate great talents side by side with great failings....a Bill Clinton/Adam Clayton Powell/ Daryll Strawberry type. For right now though, the Obama's are the first ands they have to be perfect. Game after game, everyday. And so far so good.

Re: In defense of white racism

rikyrah — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:06:13 -0000

You speak the truth. I've been saying for awhile that nobody as obviously incompetent and unqualified as Palin -WHO WAS BLACK - would remotely be taken seriously.

five or six colleges?

married to a high school graduate?

son on dope, who enlists to get out of going to jail (IF you believe the National Enquirer - and I DO, in this case)

underaged pregnant daughter with shotgun wedding to a high-school dropout?

G-T-F-O-H

Nobody Black would be taken seriously. If someone Black had done those interviews with Gibson and Couric?

COME ON!!

TrooperGate?

Refusal to release medical records?

Gave an address - AS GOVERNOR- to a Black Militant Secessionist Organization?

MARRIED to someone who belonged to said above organization for SEVEN YEARS? I mean, this would have to be beyond the NOI, because they aren't a secessionist organization, and that's about as ' radical' as Black folks get in America.

Re: In defense of white racism

Watson — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:50:10 -0000

Oscar was as awesome in his day as Michael was in his. But much as it hurts to say (because Oscar is a better person) I think MJ eclipsed the Big O. Partly because Michael was longer and much more acrobatic. Also, sports achievements tend to be cumulative - today’s luminaries are standing on the shoulders of giants.

Re: In defense of white racism

tom_streeter — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:20:50 -0000

I hope the folks who run the magazine know how lucky they are to have you writing for them. I look forward to reading your stuff, both in print and here on the blog. Thank you for what you do.

Re: In defense of white racism

Deborah — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:42:02 -0000

I am glad you recognize that women are pissed by how she makes us look, and not because we're jealous of her looks. --metricpenny

Now I'm wondering: is there a subset of lesbians who watch Palin speak, get a Rich Lowry, and see sparkles zooming out of their tv screens? Or is this strictly a right wing Republican guy fantasy?

I'm frankly not about to google "lesbian political fanfic, Palin, Lowry."

Re: In defense of white racism

RU Kidding — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:34:43 -0000

TNC, my brother. I often come here and just enjoy the conversation. But this post was so excellent, that I had to log on a post a comment. Thing about great writing is that I don't have to agree w/ every sentiment, I just get off on the word-smithery, lol.

Yeah, you heard, I'm a word nerd.

Re: In defense of white racism

tom p — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:04:49 -0000

"You know what our mothers and fathers always told us: you need to be twice as good to get half the credit.

What's interesting is that I find myself struggling not to preach this message to my own (biracial to some; to me just plain black) kids. Then wondering if I shouldn't go ahead.

Has the day passed when this Negro Dictum is true? Or not?"

Lisa, sad to say, it is still true (I speak as one who all too often sees the "white side" that is hidden)(do not kid yourself, it is always there). BO's present success, is merely a foot in the door.

My real fear, is that in 4 yrs, the economy is going to remain so f'd up (NOBODY could fix it at this pt) that he will get the blame anyway...

Preach the message, if you are wrong your children will be twice as successful. If you are right, they still have a chance.

Re: In defense of white racism

EngineerScotty — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:00:13 -0000

Sali is only the latest in a long line of running jokes from that particular district--see Helen Chenoweth or however-you-spell-it for another example.

This reminds me of my dear-departed great aunt (who passed on a few years ago at the age of 99). While a staunch Republican, she had principles--she lived most of her life in Orange County, CA--and never once voted for Robert "B-1 Bob" Dornan; yet another no-nothing demagogue of the same mold (albeit a more polished one than the laughingly-incompetent Bill Sali).

But still--expect to see the Sarah Palin show on ClearChannel Real Soon Now. Wait--we already have it; Ann Coulter.