I have been asked by a couple of people to explain why Senator Barbara Boxer’s comments to Harry C. Alford, the CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, were racist. Since my original post on this subject has received some attention I decided to supplement it with the explanation I offered to the people that asked – to explain what I see when I view that video.
The explanation works best if you are part of a group that you believe is in some way a minority or underdog and thus subject to some sort of discrimination, be it racism, anti-Semitism, anti-gay, sexist, or based on your height, weight, deeply held Christian beliefs, or deeply held secular beliefs. Possibly you are a farmer or union worker facing bankers or a corporate board of directors. In other words, someone that believes you have in some way been targeted unjustly.
With the scenario of being part of an unjustly targeted group in mind, picture yourself in Alford’s seat. You’re head of a major business group that represents the targeted group. You’re testifying before Congress, as an expert, regarding important research on alternative energy and green jobs. Your testimony covers overall economic impact, not just the impact to the group you represent.
Now, with that setting established, watch the exchange again between Boxer and Alford. This time substitute the NAACP and 100 Black Men with a civic group representing the same race, religious, gender, economic position, or other group you represent. The only criteria are that this group must have absolutely nothing significant to do with the overall issue on which you are testifying.
For example, imagine that you represent the (I am making this name up) the National Organization of Jewish Business Leaders, and Senator Boxer sites the Organization of Hebrew Congregations. Or perhaps you represent Women Entrepreneurs of California and Boxers sites the NOW. These may be good organizations, but they are not relevant to the discussion.
Now, what is your reaction to Boxer?
{ 11 comments }
I’m pretty sure that regardless of who was sitting there, the chair would have looked for an opposing viewpoint from alternate groups that might be irrelevant, but on a superficial level seem related.
And so you might say that it’s a silly and illogical way to make her point, but I really don’t see how it’s racist. That is, since she would have done the same thing with a Jewish or Woman’s group, it’s a matter of political maneuvering, not racism.
To say that someone is racist (and let’s face it, “comments” aren’t racist, people are) is a serious charge. In this case, I don’t think it holds water.
In any case, a man who’s a member of a black organization might count on black people supporting him. I think it’s an ok political move to put on record that he doesn’t necessarily represent the black leadership’s opinion. It’s certainly not racist.
Babs Boxer makes me wanna puke every time I hear or see her…I hear she also smells bad…But with that being said…This is another attempt at race baiting, that is a standard trump card for the liberal left. I do not see any reason that this disgusting pig (Boxer) could not use a national black group to help make her case…Afterall…If the gentleman she was addressing had been white, would it have been fair to assume his questioner (for the sake of argument, lets say a black person) was racist just because they used white organizations to bring the message home?
This type of attention is what has helped to bring the boy who cried wolf to the real issue of racism in this country…And when I say racism, I mean by ALL people in this nation…Not just whites. Anything to get Babs out of my state is helpful….but please, make it legit. Shame on Harry Alford for wasting our time by crying “Fire” in this crowded theatre. I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sick of the race card thing…
Many liberals are what they used to call back in southern Oklahoma two faced, they laud all over you when your with them but as soon as they return to their gated communities they use the *N* word and are happy to have you on the other side of the tracks.
The policies they espouse have done nothing but harm to the black community. I wont go into the history but all you have to do is take a gander at the inner city schools if thats not proof enough! What can I say?
She is a condesending old bag and a racist. As a Californian I am embarrased.
Robert Levy’s comment shows his ignorrance of the issues, if you read the entire report that Bab’s the battleaxe was trying to put in the record, it concluded the opposite of her point. So let’s see, old & ugly, racist and stupid that’s three strikes Right?
WE are Christian grandparents from Co. (myself Caucasian and my husband hispanic). We want to tell Harry Alford “you go guy”!! about his “dust-up” with Barbara Boxer!!!!! We loved it and think he should run for office! What a smart, brave man! Prayers, Sue and Buddy Valdez
Harry Alford..re the dust-up with Barbara Boxer. You go guy!!!!! We loved it! Run for office. Prayers, Sue and Buddy Valdez Colorado
While I am no fan of Sen. Boxer, I agree with Robert Levy above. This appears to be a hate generated forum judging from the responses. The people that are most offended are those who use the same tactics to make their points. Look at some of these responses which go from pure name calling to implying that the Senator uses the “N” word when she goes home. This tactic was used in the OJ trial and got high approval from some people. Can you imagine that in every criminal case, the lead investigators are confronted in Court with the question- “Have you ever used the “N” word?” Whether a person ever used the “N” world is never a substitute for the collective facts. This is the type of BS tactic that distracts from the facts at political hearings and in the Courtroom, because in the end its all about them and not the issues.
Certifiably out of line and a good example of the hypocracy in Washinton.
Tom’s point seems to be that since the report wouldn’t have helped her, then I’m wrong to say it wasn’t racist. That doesn’t make sense to me, so I won’t respond further.
Didn’t know I could lose any more respect for Sen. Boxer, but guess what? It was a disgusting maneuver that Sen. Boxer tried to pull.
What if she was presenting these ‘arguments’ to a white man? If she brought up the NAACP, which has nothing to do with clean energy, it wouldn’t make any sense at all. The only reason she brought the NAACP into the mix WAS because she was speaking to a black representative of a black organization. How ignorant and disprespectful of Sen. Boxer.