IMO, McKinney is the racist here, by 1) overblowing the incindent, 2) not avoiding it in the first place (thereby giving her an excuse to get press), and 3) by her blatant anti-Semitism.

There is a history of the Capitol police harrassing members of the black caucus, not just McKinney. I am inclined to believe McKinney’s version of events.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000240.php

Would it be more fair if I said his remarks betrayed a prejudice toward poor black people, rather than all blacks? If so, let’s go with that then.

It’s hard to argue that Boortz does anything to contribute to “rational discussion.” Like so many talking heads, he seeks to divide people into opposing camps. That upsets me more than anything else.

Believe me, I am all for frank and open discussion on race. I also believe that nearly everyone carries prejudices to some extent; I do, too.

As you know, I hated the movie Crash because it showed examples of racism that were ridiculously overt — and that very few of us see in our daily lives.

I think the reality is that racism is a problem that’s mostly underneath the surface, coloring our assumptions but only bubbling up in ways that are rhetorically defensible.

And so I can say I smell prejudice when I hear Neal’s remarks, and you can say you don’t, and that’s all that ever comes of it. I respect your opinion, and hopefully you respect mine, too.

What is it about his comments that make you brand them racist? Is it his use of the word “ghetto?” That’s a term that has moved into common vernacular, especially among youths, to describe something trashy.

Is it racist? I don’t know … is the term “white trash” or “trailer park” racist?

What if a similar situation had happened to a white Congressman with a mullet, and someone said he looked like a “redneck.” Would you consider that racist?

We have reached a point in public discourse where whites cannot comment on black issues without being called racist. It severely limits the rational discussion that the issue of race so sorely needs. And in the long term, it hurts the African-American community because it stifles true communication and further divides us.

The comments may have been derogatory, but to me they don’t appear to be racist. He didn’t say that she couldn’t be a good Congresswoman or that she didn’t deserve to be in Congress. He said she didn’t LOOK like a Congresswoman with her new hair style.