The American Problem

The American Problem is and has always been race.  All societies--from neighborhoods to nations-- have problems with the Other, however "not one of us" is defined.  The Other is the scapegoat, the excuse, as well as a challenge to the status quo and its power structure.  The American flavor of this universal problem is predominantly race.  Beginning with the defining American sin, the eradication of the peoples who were already living here.  Continuing and becoming etched in a still ongoing history with black slavery, and the white/black racial divide, however permeable, artificial and complicated.  And even though racism against Asians was once a more prominent feature (and remains in pockets of the country) and racism against "brown" people or Latinos is growing, the old forms continue to define politics and political power, as well as other aspects of communal life.

It just so happens that racism is all over the news recently, although not in the forms we're used to: overt violence or conflict, marches or speeches, etc.  It's embedded in the attempted political coup in Washington, and in the ongoing and escalating controversy over the names and mascots of prominent sports teams that are historical slurs or stereotypes of Native Americans.

Regarding the team nickname controversy, at the moment attention is focused on one team, that plays NFL football in the nation's capital of Washington. There were a couple of new events, after President Obama expressed his opinion that the Washington organization ought to change its nickname.  One excuse offered by the team owner and echoed by a prominent ESPN writer was that by and large Native Americans aren't really upset by it.  Rick Reilly supported this argument by quoting his own father-in-law, a Blackfeet elder in Montana.  But Bob Burns told his son-in-law that he had misunderstood him and misquoted him.  When Reilly refused to correct the error (Burns said) he decided to go public.  In Indian Country Today, he wrote that Reilly " failed to include my comments that the term “redskins” demeans Indians, and historically is insulting and offensive, and that I firmly believe the Washington Redskins should change their name."

“Redskins” is part of that mentality from colonial times when our people were hunted by soldiers and mercenaries who were paid for the scalps of our men, women and children. How can anyone claim this is a proud tradition to come from? The labels, racism and hatred that Indian people continue to experience are directly tied to those racial slurs. Let me be clear: The racial slur “redskins” is not okay with me. It’s never going to be okay with me. It’s inappropriate, damaging and racist."

The Oeneida Nation helped focus the issue last week by sponsoring an event next door to the NFL owners meeting.  They are keeping up the pressure with television and radio ads.

But the biggest media audience to be exposed to the issue was probably tonight on Monday Night Football, when Bob Costas spoke out on the issue during halftime: "Ask yourself what the equivalent would be if directed toward African-Americans. Hispanics. Asians. Or members of any other ethnic group. When considered that way, “redskins” can’t possibly honor a heritage or noble character trait,” said Costas. “Its an insult, a slur, no matter how benign the present day intent.”

As we approach the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination, it becomes clearer that politics in the period since the Civil Rights movement and particularly the civil rights legislation that President Kennedy introduced in 1963, has been formed and deformed by race.

It led to the realignment of the political parties, as the Democrats lost the South and the Republicans took over there, and have since become a party of the white South, too often defined by white southern bigotry.  The extremism already organizing in JFK's time--and thick in the atmosphere of Dallas in 1963--has come to dominate the Republican party, according to several political scientists.

The current debacle of taking the government and world economy hostage without even a coherent ransom note is a product of that continuity based on racism.   I don't have to quote Joe the Plumber or anyone else to note that racism against President Obama is a factor in both the timing and intensity.  The sense of a beleaguered white fundamentalist minority is also expressed in the fears of the wrong apocalypse and endtimes expressed by their Queen (not Sarah, the other Queen.)

Racism in relation to the shutdown is exposed also in this Politico piece by Roger Simon.  Back when I watched TV I enjoyed his acerbic commentary, but I was unprepared for the sheer anger of this piece.  He begins with a pretty harsh joke (If Ted Cruz and John Banal were on a sinking ship, who would be saved? Answer: America) but he sees nothing funny in the shutdown. "I am not talking about closed parks and monuments. I am talking about the funds cut to nearly 9 million mothers and young children for food, breastfeeding support and infant formula. That is harsh. Making a war against babies is harsh."

After calling out Cruz and Banal for motives of craven ambition ("Have you ever seen Boehner’s suite of offices in the Capitol? It would make Midas blush.")  he zeroes in on racism being expressed by Tea Party activists. "America has come to a sorry pass. Not because there are still racists among us, but because the racists among us think they can tell us what makes an American."