Whatever “Macaca” means, or whatever Va. Sen. George Allen thought it means, he was meshugga for using that term in pointing out young S.R. Sidarth in the audience at a campaign stop. Sidarth, a young man of Indian descent who was born and raised in Fairfax County, is a UVa senior who has been “tracking” Sen. Allen on behalf of the Jim Webb Senate campaign.
Allen’s gaffe (and it was a gaffe, whether it was “insensitive” or not) prompted the predictable accusations of racism from those who, in its absence, would have been about as likely to call Allen a racist if he described the sky as blue. In short, the uproar strikes me as just another partisan attempt to make a mountain out of a macaca.
But amid all the uproar I have found one interesting comment. Young Mr. Sidarth complained about being singled out because of his race, adding that he was “shocked” because “I didn’t believe that he had gone to using race in the political arena.”
It sounds as though Mr. Sidarth thinks it is inappropriate to use race in the political arena. I wonder if his principal, Democratic Senate candidate Jim Webb, feels the same way. If so, he certainly has kept his opposition to, say, creating “majority/minority” districts under the Voting Rights Act a secret. Mr. Sidarth’s apparent endorsement of colorblindness also raises other questions. For example, does he believe “using race” is appropriate in non-political arenas, such as employment or college admissions? If so, why not in politics?
Is any principle implied by Mr. Sidarth’s comment, and the theatrically anguished howls of all those who claim to be offended on his behalf, or simply partisanship. If there is a principle, what is it?
You already know the answer, of course. Why do you even ask the question when you already answered it in your last paragraph?
The guy has a history of racial insensitivity at best and racism at worst! This latest episode may kill any chance he ever had of becoming president. By the way, he made these comments on the VA/KY/WV border; that is the heart of Klan country (as in KKK). His audience? All white.
It always kills me when people (or their defenders) say such comments do not reflect what’s in his heart. Whose heart is he reflecting . . . Mickey Mouse’s? Ditto for Mel Gibson’s comments.
Both men made their respective comments because that is what they think and that is what is in their hearts. I could be falling down drunk and I would never come close to saying anything like what Mel Gibson said–because I don’t harbor that kind of bigotry.
I believe in forgiveness and redemption, but I also believe in choice and consequence. Allen is not fit to be a Senator much less President. He belongs buried in the past along with his bigotry and fellow Klansmen.
People often wonder who KKK members are and what they look like under their hoods. Take good look…
The guy has a history of racial insensitivity at best and racism at worst! This latest episode may kill any chance he ever had of becoming president. By the way, he made these comments on the VA/KY/WV border; that is the heart of Klan country (as in KKK). His audience? All white.
Oh boy, here we go. “Racial insensitivity”! I understand politeness and good manners. I understand that rudeness and insults are bad. I understand that being oblivious or uncaring about the needs of others is not good, especially for a politician. But I confess that I have a hard time coming to grips with the nature and meaning of “racial sensitivity,” or its opposite. In our current world it seems to me that “racially insensitive” is just one of the more polite labels Democrats apply to Republicans. But chances are that if were to recognize “racial sensitivity” in someone, I wouldn’t like it, since insofar as it implies anything it implies a politically correct impulse to walk on eggshells around just about all racial issues, and hurling accusations of racism at everyone who doesn’t.
That said, why OF COURSE any Republican who speaks to an all white audience near the Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia border is by definition a racist. If he weren’t, he would no doubt have imported some blacks or Hispanics to sprinkle through he audience.
It always kills me when people (or their defenders) say such comments do not reflect what’s in his heart.
So, we are to assume that “what’s in [Sen. Allen’s] heart” is … macaca? That he knew that it is a) some city in South Africa (with, perhaps, may Indian residents) or b) some species of east African monkey?
Anyone who assumes that must assume Sen. Allen is a pretty knowledgeable fellow.
you forgot the ‘welcome to america’ part
The entire episode is simply minkmillian.
“People often wonder who KKK members are and what they look like under their hoods. Take good look…”
I understand some of them look just like a certain Democratic Senator from West Virginia.