Billy Jack’s Blog » Response to the Guest Post

We aren't going to get very far in our understanding of each other's positions as long as you continue attempting to put me in some kind of racist light with your subtle implications. Your suggestion that I inserted the word or the concept of racism into Obama's speech is ludicrous beyond belief, and well beneath a man like you. His entire speech revolved around the problem of racism in this country. I realize the term has a "specific definition." Thank you for condescending to me by reminding me of that. But whatever definition you choose to apply to the word, the fact is Obama specifically says the word "racism" in his speech no less than 5 times. His speech was also filled with terms which are completely synonymous with "racism." But I do not expect you or any of your readers to take my word for that. I have dissected Senator Obama's speeech from start to finish and written down all of the terms and phrases he uses to define his central theme as being racial inequality and racism in America. I have listed them below in the actual order in which they appear in his speech. Please remember, my original assertion came from your comment that leaders commonly use familiar terms and extend the meaning of them to include some new meaning. My reply was the familiar term he was using and extending the meaning of was "racism." That comment alone evoked your ridiculous accusation that I am the one inserting racism into the conversation and into Obama's speech. Here are the occurences of the terms taken directly from Obama's own lips- "'purely racial lens" "the whitest population" "Confederate Flag" "racial polarization" "the discussion of race has taken a divisive turn" "racial reconciliation" "widen the racial divide" "offedn white and black alike" "white racism" "racially charged" "black people" "black church" "black comunity" "black experience in America" "ethnic groups" "whites" "fear of black men" "racial and ethnic stereotypes" "deep seated racial bias" "race is an issue we can't afford" "complexitites of race we have never worked through" "racial injustice in this country" "disparities that exist in the African American community" "inequalities" "brutal legacy of slavery" "segregated schools" "inferior schools explain the pervasive achivement gap netween black and white students" "legalized discrimination" "lack of economic opportunity among black men" "segregation" "opportunity systematically restricted" "defeated by discrimination" "questions of race and racism continue" "votes along racial lines" "the most segregated hour in American life" "anger within the black comunity" "bogus claims of racism" "legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality" "reverse racism" "white resentments" "widens the racial divide" "racial staleate" "racial divisions" "racism in our society" "playing the race card" His last several paragraphs consist of a very inspiring vision of all races coming together to resolve the ills of American society. The eloquence of these paragraphs is highlighted by everything he says before regarding the problem of racism as it currently exists in our country. I point these things out, not because I disagree with many of the points he raises. Every person of character longs for the day when racism can be eliminated along with all racially motivated hatred and crime. Every person of character longs for the day when justice is truly blind where race is concerned and where opportunities are equal for everyone. I certainly count myself in that number of people. So, I have no problem with the central focus of Obama's speech being racism. I am simply responding to your assertion that I am the one who puyt it there and he didn't even mention it, much less discuss it. I just have no idea where you are coming from in that assertion!!!

I can you are up in arms - good. The point is you are and have come from a position I think is unwarranted and can not be supported. I look at those terms and only see one instance that can come close to terms like racist. The first and only point is that racist is personal - about a racist person. Even when you he use the term :"white racism" is an open point. No one was called it as such. If you are not be defensive and what would you call it? If you were so worried about what I was going to write you could approached the situation from a different place.