Bill's a Bigot

The "Bill Bennett" topic is one that I have been thinking about for some time (even before the latest controversy erupted over his racist rant). That is, there are two aspects to this issue. One relates to the "merits" of the Bennett matter itself. The other, which is more troublesome, concerns the increasingly prevalent environment in which this sort of screed flourishes.

Bennett's recent comments, and the various reactions/defenses of his supporters, are contemptuous, prejudiced tirades that should be dismissed as such. William Saletan provides (as though a refutation were needed) a point by point response to Bennett in Slate's The bigotry of Bill Bennett's low expectations. See also: ARE Blacks A Criminal Race? Surprising Statistics, by Van Jones at the Huffington Post.

However, what is almost more outrageous than his repulsive statement is the reaction to the reaction. No one can seriously claim surprise that this type of inflammatory rhetoric would have anything but a rejoinder of shock and revulsion. Yet Bennett supporters disingenuously try to argue that any discourse dealing with race is met with an overreaction by minorities and liberals, preventing legitimate discussions of such subjects.

Two Blogs at Daily Kos do an outstanding job refuting that assertion. As one pointed out in Brad DeLong Steps Up:

“Forget what was in Bennett's heart -- the usage was not necessary to Bennett's point, and it was extremely hurtful and harmful. . . . Now, if Bennett were actually discussing the issue of African-American crime rates and the like, perhaps some CLEARER formulation of his statement might have made sense.” Armando says that such conversation can occur, noting that "Every single day I write critical things of any number of people - black, Latino, white, etc. But generally, I try to avoid statements that rely on stereotypical and untrue biases." In other words: slight difference in style; big difference in result.

In another post, The Power of Words, Armando inquires: “So here's my question -- how do [people] expect African-Americans to react to Bennett's statement?”

“The insensitivity demonstrated . . . to the issues of race, is, in my view, an exacerbation to the very real problems we face. The power of words, in our Brave New Anti-PC World, is dismissed. The hurt caused, the distrust fomented, is discounted.”

This leads to the second part of my post. Contrary to the view of Armando, I do believe words have been given power. In fact, in the “Brave New Anti-PC World,” words have become more powerful. Racist words, sexist words, homophobic words, words denigrating non-Christian religions. That is, abhorrent comments such as those uttered by Bennett are part of an on-going attempt by the "Anti-PC Crowd" to make it acceptable to express racist sentiments. I have noticed an increased frequency in the number and intensity of inappropriate statements lately. So much so that it suggests to me that the expressions are deliberate.


Bob Herbert's column (Subscription required) in today's NYT, echoes my sentiments (an excerpt can be found at The Ugly Face of Republican Racism).

As he said:  "When I first heard about Mr. Bennett's comments, I wondered why anyone was surprised. I've come to expect racial effrontery from big shots in the Republican Party. The G.O.P. has happily replaced the Democratic Party as a safe haven for bigotry, racially divisive tactics and strategies and outright anti-black policies."

The truth is that there was very little that was subconscious about the G.O.P.'s relentless appeal to racist whites. . . . When Democrats revolted against racism, the G.O.P. rallied to its banner.”

And rallies on.  As the extreme wing of the Republican Party exhibits its hubris, the need for “Code words” is less necessary and becomes a thing of the past.  Instead, the ability to freely express one’s “views” is encouraged.  Any resulting criticism is scoffed at as being “too PC.”  

The danger, of course, is that the more often such hate words are voiced, the more acceptable it becomes to say them.  In the end, however, this expression does not lead to tolerance or a diminution in prejudice.  It just permits bigots to vaunt their intolerance.