A couple new articles decrying republicans as using "code words" and "dog whistle" verbiage. A paragraph below from the Williams piece, while the second article goes more broadly into things he has heard pubs say. Personally, I don't see it (though I don't remember the "poor work ethic" line). The second article makes it sound like a pub could not even mention food stamps at all without being called racist. Just seems to me like liberals see every line through racial lenses, and I just don't see the same thing they do. Looks like plenty of liberals think these things are racist, wondering if the moderates and conservative see nefarious motives in use of these terms.
"The language of GOP racial politics is heavy on euphemisms that allow the speaker to deny any responsibility for the racial content of his message. The code words in this game are “entitlement society” — as used by Mitt Romney — and “poor work ethic” and “food stamp president” — as used by Newt Gingrich. References to a lack of respect for the “Founding Fathers” and the “Constitution” also make certain ears perk up by demonizing anyone supposedly threatening core “old-fashioned American values.” "
ps. the title of the second piece is funny…could be retitled, “If you look for it, you can find things emanating from Republicans that can be construed as racist!”
That language I’ve been hearing is manipulative. It allows people to interpret as they wish. If people are sensitive to race then they see it as racist. The racists see it as confirming their beliefs. Those that aren’t racist or who haven’t been in an enviroment where racist is present won’t see it as having anything to do with race. This allows the politicians to appeal to a certain set of voters but deny they are saying anything racist if they are questioned.
“The language of GOP racial politics is heavy on euphemisms that allow the speaker to deny any responsibility for the racial content of his message. The code words in this game are “entitlement society” — as used by Mitt Romney — and “poor work ethic” and “food stamp president” — as used by Newt Gingrich.”
You have to dig pretty deep to even find a hint of those statements being racist. What a terrible disservice he does to those who are faced with real racism.
Maybe Juan will address class warfare and its code words tomorrow. Ill hold my breath on that one.
Is that the same Juan Williams who got fired from NPR for saying he gets nervous when he is on airplanes with muslims?
It is. A wise Lounge Room Zenmaster once said on Oct 23, 2010:
“Dude, I am like the Juan Williams of the Lavender Room = I say what other conservatives think, but are afraid to say in public. This makes me special. Don’t believe me? Just ask me…”
