A Louisiana man claims he’s not racist, but if his community moves forward with a plan to rename a half-mile stretch of road for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he says he will reveal his “racist ways.”…. A clip posted by NOLA.com shows a contentious debate that took place during a St. Bernard Parish council meeting over a plan to rename the stretch of Colonial Blvd. in honor of the slain civil rights leader…. “I’ve never had a racist bone in my body. I’ve worked for a bunch of ‘em, been in their houses, been in a lot of your guys’ houses,” said a bearded white man who was not identified. “But if you keep pushing me I will show you my racist ways.”…. He also said Mitch Landrieu, mayor of New Orleans, can “go to hell” and “praise the Lord for (Gov.) Bobby Jindal.”
I’ve always wondered why the worst racists always seem to the ones who preface what’s in fact a racist statement with “I’m not a racist, but….” Why would one need to deny their racism before amply demonstrating it? Do they honestly believe that they’re reasonable, rational sorts who merely have strong opinions about the way things ought to be? Do they feel their opinions to be the very epitome of probity and decency? It’s like the old “When they say ‘It’s not about the money,’ you know it’s ALL about the money” argument. If you feel it necessary to proclaim your lack of racism, who is it you’re trying to convince? Do you really think others will take you seriously if you proclaim your virtous nature with enough fervor and volume? Or are you really trying to convince yourself of something that you at some level recognize as dishonest and untrue?
I find it fascinating that so many seem unable to recognize their fervent opposition to naming a half-mile stretch of Lousiana asphalt for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the virulent racism it is. Rather than having the honesty to own up to their intellectual vacancy and unalloyred racism, their arguments are couched in variations of “I’m not racist, but….” It seems they’re the only ones convinced of their purity of spirit.
“I’ve never had a racist bone in my body”…really? Why not just break out the “Some of my best friends are black” argument? Or better yet, why not have the honesty and self-awareness to own up to what you really are…especially when you seem to be the only one incapable of recognizing it?
