From The Haughty Politic today:

Dean's Racism: Falling into the trap

Le Shawn Barber, a favoite blogger of mine, is correct to point out that Dean's remarks to the Democratic Black Caucus were insulting and racist. (“You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had the hotel staff in here.”). Liberal racism is a particularly loathsome disease because it masks bigoted assumptions in the
rhetoric of compassion and equality.

Ms. Barber also observes the following: "We all knew he'd [the new Chairman of the DNC] be a white male. So much for sacred 'diversity.' But I don’t think anyone guessed they’d pick Howard 'Screaming' Dean.” With respect to the audience, she notes: "I’ll bet those Black Caucus Negroes just sat there and laughed, totally unaware that their new white chairman had just insulted
them (on so many levels)."

This is where she errs. An understandable error made by many conservatives, but an error nonetheless. (I'm making an assumption about her political leanings based upon reading her blog).

There is nothing wrong with the DNC selecting a white male to run their party. If you believe in a meritocracy and strive for a color-less society, then it is illogical to ridicule any group for selecting a white chairman. Nor does the selection of a white chairman undermine their claim to diversity. Indeed, the Republican Party claims to be a place of tolerance and acceptance (a valid claim I
believe), yet regularly selects white leaders. Further, Dean's insulting remarks would be just as wrong if made by a black commentator. During the Democratic primary, I remember when Dean insulted whites, males, southerners and gun-owners all in one sentence. His race and sex did not make his comments immune from ridicule.

If Republicans are correct, and I believe they are, then people can succeed in American irrespective of their race, color, ethnicity or sex. When we engage in the race-obsessed tactics of the other side, we are forced to play the game by their rules (i.e. always proving that we are more "diverse") and our dream of a truly equal society will continue to elude us.
VJB

www.haughtypolitic.com