When I hear this talk show host call Obama a 'monkey president' I hold several reactions at once
. . . and I hold back a few of them to try and maintain my own humanity. Here's two . . .
One is a feeling of deep hurt that hasn't really left me since my childhood. The other is more productive.
This person knows well that in belittling our nation's first black president in this way, that, she is belittling all black Americans. I'll describe my feeling this way . . .
Despite my own experiences with racism and bigotry, I've always understood that I'd need to be guileless in how I regard my fellow humans. That regard has me accepting that there is a value to each of us which transcends and exceeds almost everything else we get ourselves into over our lifetimes. Of course, we correctly make judgments about each other based on our behavior and attitudes. However, I've never found cause to devalue anyone on the basis of their race. That makes it rather jarring for me when I see and hear others making such derogatory remarks based on the color of skin.
The monkey jibe is a familiar one for me. It's a childhood experience, of which, I still, to this day, look back on with wonder and bewilderment. Thing is, I hear these things; I process them; and I resolve to move ahead, not thinking for a moment that I want to mirror ANY of it for my own edification or retribution. I'm really thinking that it's like water that I'm determined to keep my head above to survive.
So it's like a wave over me to hear this woman's awful description of President Obama and I'm pushing up for air again; a bit exhausted by the waves and waves of this ignorant, contemporary/retro revival of what was and is, essentially, Jim Crow racism.
I fought for our generation's civil rights in the Jesse Jackson-affirmative action era. We made many strides forward and believed that, once understood and recognized for what it was, our society wouldn't long tolerate these public expressions of hatred and fear without a ready rebuke from our enlightened majority.
I think we're at another moment of decision in America about how we relate to each other. There is a sense among some of us that there is some benefit in stoking division between blacks and whites once more. It's certainly a political motivation for some. Yet, that appeal wouldn't seem to have any chance at all unless there is some festering desire among some of the public to participate and support the nonsense.
As we can see from the following of these pols and pundits who spread and exploit this divisive gospel, there is a ready audience of disciples who find some personal benefit in the prejudicial patter. It's beyond titillation. It looks to be a belief in some that they are elevated by putting these folks down. It's like they've discovered an ancient taboo; a potent and destructive one to conjure up all of the evil that infected our society in the past -- unabated by a sense among us that we've already resolved our nation's most destructive animus.
Now we're just swatting at flies . . . but, this is a swarm of hatred that has gathered outside of this presidency which won't be easily assuaged by history books, or by readily available documentaries and testimonies to our tragic beginnings.
That brings me to that other reaction of mine. I am fortunate to have been properly influenced by the lessons of our past. I am not dissuaded from ANYTHING because some yahoo chooses to spout off. Further than that, I am empowered, in this age, to reach out and respond directly to these desperate people without fear of retribution or any destructive consequence. So, my resolve to oppose this bigoted bleating is actually deepened. My social awareness and my dedication to my fellow human is deepened and enhanced by that empowerment.
The republican party was the last refuge for the racists of old; and refuge, today, for a developing generation of bigots. We've got to fight this like it was 1963 again. We need to remember the lessons our leaders in that past struggle taught us and apply them today; apply our knowledge just as diligently as these new bigots are reviving their vintage brand of Jim Crow to, improbably, bully their way into some political or social advantage.
That's how I ultimately react to 'monkey president' . . . with resolve and determination -- believing that we have what it takes, in our own generation, to overcome.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I don't use it often, but for me to just agree with datasuspect is pretty amazing, so I used it. +1 means the same thing, or + any number, but a higher number means "I agree a whole lot". 
Welcome to DU!
