I have a feeling that it's impossible to discuss what Chris Matthews said, and more importantly what was meant, in a non political sort of way given the amazingly political nature of who delivered it and his past examples of verbal diarrhea.
Discussing race and racial equality and "colorblindness" whatever that's supposed to mean, is inherently a difficult thing to discuss openly and freely because so often the racist charge gets brought out prematurely, and so many people are afraid of being called one. Being called a racist in today's America is like being called a really bad thing from the 1700s in the 1700s (I'm drawing a huge blank on my analogies). It's something people avoid at all costs, so it's a very powerful tool for getting people to at least say they agree with you when you have a discussion about it. Fortunately though, I think the word is beginning to lose it's conversation stopper charm and as a result a real dialogue can begin.
Like I said in my earlier post, people NEED to stop thinking about everything in terms of race, and start dealing with what was said, and more importantly, what has been done. I think Chris Matthews' statement was a perfect example of how racially charged thinking pervades much of the media today when dealing (specifically) with Obama, and more generally politics and social issues, such as welfare, health care, jobs, etc. I think until we are all able to see past some one's skin color and focus instead of what was said by that person, or what they have done, or what is the best way to viably help them, then we'll be doomed to this pathetic politically correct state we live in today where everything is a thinly veiled racist attack by xyz group, or abc group is charging racism against blah blah blah.
I don't want it to sound like I'm accusing you of doing these things, cause I'm not, just kind of going off what you said about Chris Matthews.
and our differences are often a topic of discussion and have been for years. No big deal.
