I Threw A Brick Through A Window

M-W.com:

racism

Main Entry: rac·ism

Function: noun
Date: 1933

1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

I stirred up a shit storm of controversy over at Shakespeare's Sister. It's nice to know I haven't lost my touch.

Jeff Fecke wrote a post addressing the Jeremiah Wright kerfuffle: Yes, this is a Racist Country, and Saying So is Not Racist. I credit Jeff for having the courage to address any question regarding such an emotionally volatile issue as "race relations." The trouble started when I dared to take exception to Jeff's contention that

"nobody with any decency would think that problematic racism was directed at white people."

I had the unbridled nerve to suggest all racism was troublesome:

Despite growing up in a wicked white town bordering Boston's black neighborhoods, I'm a decent, reasonably street-smart white guy. I later lived in Jersey City from 1990-2003. The occasional racism directed at me and/or my wife was all too problematic.

There was the 30 African-American youths reaching for rocks after my car broke down on Mattapan's Morton St. in 1980. Followed by the half-dozen black teenagers surrounding me and abusing my date at Downtown Crossing circa 1986. And who could forget '92's bottle throwing Latinos (JC's Wayne St)?

Bigotry is bigotry, folks, however it rears it's ugly head. Nothing brings that message home like having it directed at us privileged white folk. Oh the irony! For I've long fought against bigotry amongst us whiteys first using my fists, later my voice and now my pen.

It's undeniable that "white" racism has far more of a negative impact on all other ethnic groups. But we ignore any bigotry festering on the other side of the avenue at our peril. Until we take a systemic approach, our progress will continue to be painfully slow. #

For the most part, this didn't go over so well. My decency was checked, examined and found wanting. Here's a sample response:

AF, what you're describing is not racism, it's hostility and hatred. White people in American can be subject to racial hatred, but not to racism.* Racism is systemic, and it's the reason behind the outrageously disproportionate incarceration of black Americans, the poverty gap, the education gap, the media's treatment of black people in public life, the horrible mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina.

I'm not saying this to pick nits. I really think it's an important distinction because I hear too many people using words like "reverse racism" or acting like a group of black kids stealing cars is on the same level, as redlining neighborhoods.
Sniper | 03.15.08 - 5:28 pm | #
*(my emphasis added)

I personally hate the term "reverse racism" too. Now I have a clue as to why. I'm white and my past few harassers were not. My experiences were "not racism" but "hostility and hatred." I'm still sorta confused. Me:

How is violent "hostility" directed towards me and mine based solely on the color of our skin not racism? Look, if you sit down with me over your fave beverage for a half-hour and still want to throw rock and bottles at me, I can accept that. But I cannot and will not let guilt over shit I've never done to any other person prevent me from tilting the mirror in back in other direction when their acts and words demand it.

Where does this brand of "hostility" end and racism begin? Because if what I've described as racism isn't racism, it might as well be. Perception has a tragic habit of becoming a self-fulfilling reality. Upon encountering such "hostility", the bigot finds his irrational hatred justified. A vicious cycle continues not unabated but rather accelerated spreading poison across generations, class, color and creed. #

Aw, now why did I go and say that? That was just plain hateful. Looks like a job for Condescension (Wo)Man!

@Anacher Forester: If you haven't done a lot of anti-racist work, you might not believe that racism =/= prejudice.

After decades now of progressive discussion and struggle, it's clear (I think) that racism needs an institutional and power component along side skin or ethnic prejudice.

This doesn't make your experiences less painful,natch. But should keep you from a facile comparison.
rrp | 03.15.08 - 6:13 pm | #

OK. Let me get this straight. It's institutions and power that define racism not the actions of individual people. Huh? I musta been stoned the day we went over that in civics class. Also, I'm socially unaware, stupid and facile. Thankfully my capacity to feel pain raises me to a level somewhere above an amoeba. What's that? I'm a specist? Fuck! And I thought after treatment I was doing so well.

Before I bailed from this CircularLogicapalooza '08, I gave it one more shot. Maybe a combination of clarity, brevity and compassion will work. More me:

Shorter version:

1. Racism is defined as prejudice against someone based solely on their race.

2. Racism is Racism regardless of the races involved.

3. No one race has a monopoly on racists or an immunity to racism.

4. All bigotry begets more bigotry regardless of race.

I'm not claiming that racism against nice white fellas is any way proportional to your average garden variety racism. I've had it laughably easy. But it is a small symptom of a very big disease. To call it otherwise is intellectually dishonest.

As for my experiences with the aforementioned "hostility", they left me far more saddened than angered and far more motivated than despairing. The anger I still carry with me to this day is directed at that which created and continues to feed this hatred. #

Well that didn't work. Most of the crowd couldn't seem to get past the "fact" that Caucasians can only be racist and not the victims of racism. Something or other to due to our historically white patriarchal society blah blah blah. Smacks of prejudice, dunnit? As one rational commenter brought up, what about the Nation of Islam? Aren't they racist or or are they "just" anti-Semitic? Funny how no one countered that point.

You can check out the rest of the comments here and the original post here.

Lookit. As I said from jump "It's undeniable that "white" racism has far more of a negative impact on all other ethnic groups." But just as not all honkeys are racist, not all racists are honkeys. For us to make any sustainable progress to healing "racial hostility" in this country, we need to examine all of the conditions and attitudes that sustain and foster racial prejudices. Not just the ones harbored by any one specific group.

The best way to address racism is to bring people together in a manner that allows all to see that that we're not so different after all. Until we all stop hurling brickbats, verbal or otherwise, at each other solely on the basis of skin color, we can't begin to do this properly .

-AF = Amoebas Forever!

I Wanna Riot of My Own

The only band that matters' performs their debut single,"White Riot", at the 1978 Rock Against Racism* concert, Victoria Park. Rude Boy was a bit crap but it did have brilliant Clash footage. When it first played the art houses, I was in high school/college.** I vividly remember my teenage girlfriend freaking out a bit at the bathroom bj scene which was not very graphic by today's standards. It's funny. In comparison to the teens of today, time and space have somehow made my punk rock youth look positively Victorian.

Rude Boy was finally released here on DVD about a year ago.

-AF

*"Rock Against Racism" conjures up fond memories of the long defunct WBCN/Boston Sunday morning radio of the same name. It featured everything from punk, reggae and the blues. The host's patter i.e. dubbing Peter Tosh the "right reverend of reggae" was a lodestar. Now if I could only remember his friggin' name!

**Long story. I split high school halfway thru my senior year. A neat trick if you can pull it
off. I highly recommend it.

++3/17/08 Update & FYI: Just so there's no misunderstanding... Joe Strummer's lyrics are a pledge solidarity with London's black community after he and his band mate Paul Simonon got caught up in 1976's Notting Hill Carnival riot.

I Say He's A National Treasure, Schee...

I escaped the bunker last nite to catch Bob Mould's NYC's Irving Plaza* gig. Bob's doing what I am told is his first full-on full band tour in a decade. This time around his band consists of longtime Mould protégé Jason Narduccy on bass (former co-leader of the oh-so-Sugar-y Verbow), Deep Dish bud/remixer extraordinaire/club maven Richard Morel AKA Pink Noise on keys plus fellow former hardcore superstar Brendan Fraser (of the tragically mothballed Fugazi) pounding the skins. How was it you ask?

O-M-F-G.

I think I've seen Bob 10 times in various incarnations over the years -- tho' prolly not in a decade or so. Since Hüsker Dü's '87 drugs/alcohol/ego/tragedy-fueled implosion (I believe the resulting crater can still be seen from space with the nekkid eye), Bob's built an impressive arsenal to call his own. I hadn't paid much attention to all things Bob lately. I hadn't heard his new album. I didn't know who was in his band. I was hopeful but wary. I burnt offerings & mumbled prayers that the gods of sound would favor our cause.

Fuck. Me.

Bob didn't just show up with his best band ever. No sirree. Bob & friends played a veritable fistful of Hüsker hits! Bob & co. dusted off a sixer of Sugar shanties too -- a full fucking half of Copper Blue! In fact, when all was sung and done, Bob's career-spanning 21-song two-encore set featured precisely two songs(!) from the brandy new District Line. (An aside to Mrs. Forester: You may be right. "Miniature Parade" is growin' on me).

I was woefully unprepared for this onslaught of Mouldy-goodness. If I had known, I would have packed a spare pair of skivvies. They would've come in handy 'cuz The Bobster gang roared relentlessly through a main set consummated by a deuce off HüDü's New Day Rising: "I Apologize" bursted into "Celebrated Summer". It veered on pleasantly overwhelming for all, Bob included.

Know this. Once upon a time -- I'm talking waaaaay back when Bob & I both still had little hair -- we chatted a coupla times at shows and during at least one interview. I found Bob to be not so very dour after all. Listening to his music you'd never know it. For this reluctant godfather of emo's mainstay is tapping into rage and sadness at their most primal levels. By its very nature the Bob Mould Concert Experience doesn't lend itself to witty on-stage banter, rock star smirks, collective group hugs and the like.

So as we basked in his reconnection with the cream of his canon, I was amused to catch intense ole Bob repeatedly & consciously catching himself right before he cracked a grin. And why the hell not grin? Those of us not on-stage were all in and went all-out from the sec he broke out "A Good Idea" at song #2. Together we forged our way thru 14 more angst-filled anthems 'til we reached that terribly rarefied spot where performer and performees simultaneously strike the Catharsis city limits. And we hadn't even made it to the goddamn encores!

Alas, the show's best moment kicked off its last: the first wig flipping chords to HüDü's "Makes No Sense At All". Walking off-stage Bob was visibly moved and seemingly shocked at our fervent gratitude for his gift. With the last note still ringing in our ears, we spilled into the streets our hearts full and our energies spent.

Shorter version: If Bob Mould is booked in your town by any means necessary GO! If he isn't, fer chrissakes get your ass to somewhere he is playing. It'll be good for your soul but bad for your ears.

-AF

Buy Bob Mould solo here. Workbook is 100% ASIAF-approved.
Buy Sugar here. Copper Blue is 100% ASIAF-approved.
Buy Hüsker Dü here. All but the first two are 100% ASIAF-approved. If I hadda pick just three I'd hafta snag New Day Rising, Zen Arcade and Candy Apple Grey.

*Note: I refuse to call Irving Plaza by any other name. Who in the name of Bill Graham's great ghost came up with this bright idea? The one and only NYC rock 'n' roll Fillmore, The Fillmore East, was 11 fucking blocks away in a completely different neighborhood! Live Nation's marketing dopes are tripping (and at least in their mid-60s) if they truly believe the "Fillmore" brand has a speck of name cachet with their core customers or anyone else after a 35-year absence.

All who do remember the real Fillmore - East should be be offended by this corporate identity theft. But then again they'd at best go to Irving Plaza a scant handful of times in their lives. No name change will make them attend more frequently. Calling the joint Hitler's Haus wouldn't keep them from queuing up for a dwindling chance to see Dylan, Santana or Dolly in club setting either.

++++Update: I cribbed last nite's set list from Palimpset & sprinkled lil' discog bits on it...

"The Act We Act" – Copper Blue – Sugar
"A Good Idea" – Copper Blue – Sugar
"I Hate Alternative Rock" – Bob Mould – solo
"See a Little Light" – Workbook – solo
"Hoover Dam" – Copper Blue – Sugar
"I Am Vision, I Am Sound" – Body of Song – solo
"Hanging Tree" – Black Sheets of Rain – solo
"Miniature Parade" – District Line – solo
"Your Favorite Thing" – File Under Easy Listening – Sugar
"Again and Again" – District Line – solo
"Circles" – Body of Song – solo
"Paralyzed" – Body of Song – solo
"Can’t Help You Anymore" – Copper Blue – Sugar
"I Apologize" – New Day Rising – HüDü
"Celebrated Summer" – New Day Rising – HüDü
"Divide and Conquer" – Flip Your Wig – HüDü

Encore #1
"Moving Trucks" – Last Dog and Pony Show – solo
"Egoverride" – Bob Mould – solo
"If I Can’t Change Your Mind" – Copper Blue – Sugar

Encore #2
"Chartered Trips" – Zen Arcade – HüDü
"Makes No Sense at All" – Flip Your Wig – HüDü

I've Been Really, Really Lazy Tagging My Posts

As in not tagging 'em at all.













It's part and parcel of your neophyte blogger and reluctant writer. But I've been warned that tags are some important blogger shit not to be neglected. Without 'em there's no possibility for me to become a world-famous blogger. After all, that's why I do this, right? Um, no.

But I wouldn't mind reaching more folks and perhaps making $5-$10/month. So pardon me if my lil' blog goes super screwy as I go back and tag all my posts.

AF

Download Your Very Own...

...Redacted Institute for Defense Analyses Report once and for all exploding the al Qaeda->Saddam Hussein link that our government doesn't want you see here.

The Bush Administration has added a diabolical new info suppressing mechanism to their already overloaded arsenal: Snail Mail only!

Via ABC News:

The Bush Administration apparently does not want a U.S. Military Study that found no direct connection between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda to get any attention. This morning, the Pentagon canceled plans to send out a press release announcing the report's release and will no longer make the report available online.

The report was to be posted on the Joint Forces Command website this afternoon, followed by a background briefing with the authors. No more. The report will be made available only to those who ask for it, and it will be sent via U.S. mail from Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia.

It won't be emailed to reporters and it won't be posted online. Asked why the report would not be posted online and could not be emailed, the spokesman for Joint Forces Command said: "We're making the report available to anyone who wishes to have it, and we'll send it out via CD in the mail."

Another Pentagon official said initial press reports on the study made it "too politically sensitive."
(emphasis added)

So exactly how long will it take a request to Joint Forces Command to receive, process and post a report the Commander-in-Chief doesn't want us to see? I've seen how long it takes for MRAPs to be ordered. Plus it's not like the military loses things unless you count $12 billion shrink-wrapped and stacked on pallets (you can't tell me the military was not involved in moving that quantity so quickly) or thousands of guns, $1 billion in equipment, etc. The US Postal Service loses millions of pieces of mail each year. And if the mail I received yesterday is any indication, the USPS cracks a few CDs too.

ABC News on the report's methodology:

The report is based on the analysis of some 600,000 official Iraqi documents seized by US forces after the invasion. It is also based on thousands of hours of interrogations of former top officials in Saddam's government who are now in U.S. custody.

I saved the best for last -- the key graph on conclusion and implications:

Others have reached the same conclusion, but no previous study has had access to so much information. Further, this is the first official acknowledgement from the U.S. military that there is no evidence Saddam had ties to Al Qaeda.

Now that is big.

AF

(h/t TPM Muckraker)

Update: McClatchy pieces on the study here and its canceled release there.

Nation Ed. Expresses Concern That Spitzer Was "Targeted"

Via Raw Story:

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough talked with Nation editor and publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel about the Elliot Spitzer scandal. Vanden Heuvel, a classmate of the New York governor's at Princeton, expressed concern that Spitzer was targeted unfairly, while the MSNBC host called the probe a waste of resources.

Newsflash: Joe Scarborough makes sense! It does happen once in a great while. Although if I were Scarborough (and thank Jeebus I'm not), I'd avoid such quotes as "I'm against hookers being wiretapped." It sounds creepy.

AF

PS Why is it that every time I hear Katrina vanden Heuvel's name I'm reminded of Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern-
schplenden-schlitter-crasscrenbon-fried-digger-dingle-
dangle-dongle-dungle-burstein-von-knacker-thrasher-
apple-banger-horowitz-ticolensic-grander-knotty-spelltinkle-
grandlich-grumblemeyer-spelterwasser-kurstlich-himbleeisen-
bahnwagen-gutenabend-bitte-ein-nürnburger-bratwustle-
gerspurten-mitz-weimache-luber-hundsfut-gumberaber-
shönedanker-kalbsfleisch-mittler-aucher von Hautkopft
of Ulm?

Spitzer Investigation Time Line

TPM Muckracker has the skinny.

AF

Set Up? Not!

Raw Story mauls yet another important story with an unfortunate and inaccurate headline: Lawyer questions whether Spitzer was set up, noting political prosecutions. Scott Horton's story says nothing about a "set up." Set up is defined as "something done by deceit or trickery in order to compromise or frame someone." Elliot Spitzer wasn't framed. He committed a crime. He may be a huge hypocrite and disappointment but he wasn't "set up.".

By falsely crying "Set Up!", Raw aids the right wing noise machine's attempts to obscure the extremely disconcerting Ken Starr-like aspect of this story: the US government was apparently investigating Spitzer, the once rising star of the Democratic party, not because they had any evidence that he had ever committed any crime but to see if they could find any evidence that he had ever committed a crime.

This is not a minor distinction. As Scott Horton puts it more clearly:

All of these facts are consistent with a process which is not the investigation of a crime, but rather an attempt to target and build a case against an individual.

The contrast between a swift politically motivated investigation of Spitzer to determine if there was evidence (plus the accompanying leak) and the many stalled and undisclosed or reluctantly disclosed investigation of Republicans couldn't be more distinct.

I guarantee that if you devote enough resources to investigate anyone, you will find them guilty of some crime large or small. (This is doubly so when combing through someone's financials). Ken Starr spent $40 million+ and seven years to find Bill Clinton guilty not for murdering Vince Foster, the alleged Whitewater swindle, Travelgate et al but lying about his infidelity. I'm not absolving Bill Clinton or Spitzer of their guilt. Even smart people do very stupid things. Eliot Spitzer was very, very stupid.

It will be interesting to see how the Bush Administration attempts to justify this one.

AF

Harper's Horton & Silverstein on Spitzer Investigation

Harper's Scott Horton has this thought provoking take on the Spitzer investigation. Here's the nub of The Spitzer Sex Sting: A Few More Questions:

So here are the rather amazing facts that surface in the Spitzer case:

(1) The prosecutors handling the case came from the Public Integrity Section.

(2) The prosecution is opened under the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910. You read that correctly. The statute itself is highly disreputable, and most of the high-profile cases brought under it were politically motivated and grossly abusive. Here are a few:

• Heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson was the first man prosecuted under the act — for having an affair with Lucille Cameron, whom he later married. The prosecution was manifestly an effort “to get” Johnson, who at the time was the most famous African-American. (All of this is developed well in Ken Burns’s film “Unforgiveable Blackness”).

• University of Chicago sociologist William I. Thomas was prosecuted for having an affair with an officer’s wife in France. Thomas was targeted because of his Bohemian social and his radical political views.

• In 1944 Charles Chaplin was prosecuted for having an affair with actress Joan Barry. The prosecution again provided cover for a politically motivated effort to drive Chaplin out of the country.

• Canadian author Elizabeth Smart was arrested and charged in 1940 while crossing the border with the British poet George Barker.

(3) The resources dedicated to the case in terms of prosecutors and investigators are extraordinary.

(4) How the investigation got started. The Justice Department has yet to give a full account of why they were looking into Spitzer’s payments, and indeed the suggestion in the ABC account is that it didn’t have anything to do with a prostitution ring. The suggestion that this was driven by an IRS inquiry and involved a bank might heighten, rather than allay, concerns of a politically motivated prosecution.

Horton's colleague Ken Silverstein catches this powerful point from a reader:

Amazing how Senator David Vitter’s name never leaked out of the Justice Department after the arrest of the D.C. Madam, but Eliot Spitzer’s name leaked out of the Justice Department within a week of the initial arrest in the Emperor V.I.P. case.

Yes, amazing isn't it?

AF

Behind Enemy Lines

I thought it would be easier to post while I was out of town. It was not so. That's what comes from staying in a staunchly Republican household.

More later.

AF