March 24, 2008

Black people need to get over it.

Peter Chen’s Sunday link round-up included a terrifying post by Glenn Greenwald about some right-winger’s opinion on Obama’s historic (and fantastic) speech on race relations. While the story certainly provided a window into the conservative discourse on race, I was tempted to dismiss the episode as the crazed rantings of a disillusioned Republican voter. That was until I read this ridiculous piece on the “benefits” of slavery and racism as explained by bigot Pat Buchanan. While the whole article is a must-read, here is the highlight:

First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known….we hear the grievances. Where is the gratitude?

Seriously, the trouble with black people today is that they just aren’t grateful enough for slavery? And this guy gets paid to spout such hateful speech? Sadly, this sort of ridiculous rhetoric perfectly characterizes where we stand now, in terms of racial progress. Wake me up when November ends.

H/T: Jezebel!