Keeping It Real

Before I explore the possibility (or lack thereof) of expanding our appeal while remaining principled, I think it's important to point out how we're already not living up to our principles. To illustrate my point, I'll be using this diary entry at The Daily Kos.

Near the beginning of his diatribe, Vyan says that he's "skeptical that she could acually name specific song or lyric by these artists that matches the comments made by Imus." When we seen the interview in question (first one on the page, h/t Protein Wisdom), Michelle gives us no reason whatsoever to doubt Vyan's assertion. Furthermore, Vyan points out the incontrovertible fact that the Reverends Sharpton and Jackson have quite recently criticized violent and mysogynist rap lyrics.

Malkin has fallen into the "fake but accurate" trap for which we so rightly condemn Michael Moore. Indeed, her overall point that Imus is receiving a disproportionate amount of their outrage is valid, but if she can't get her facts straight, her opponents have every right and every incentive to call her on it, thus clouding issues that should remain clear.

Those already inclined to agree with her will probably unquestioningly accept the "accuracy" of her assertions (not unlike those who stand by the Dan Rather memos), but anyone who does't already see things her way will get caught up in her ignorance instead and never digest her overall point.

Besides, getting your facts wrong to prove a truth is unethical, even if it's accidental (as I susupect it probably was in Michelle's case).

This is one of the reasons I so strongly advocate understanding the other side. If Ms. Malkin cited specific lyrics or compared Al Sharpton's mild chiding of rap artists with his fervent attacks on Imus, she would have been far more persuasive. Frequently, blacks see conservatives as painfully ignorant of their culture and way of life. Just a small amount of research can deny our opponents this ammunition.

That's not to say that those like Vyan won't immediately switch the subject from what it's okay to say to how many blacks are in jail. The left will always do this, for to them, every oppression issue, from high incarceration rates, to Jimmy the Greek, to affirmative action is the same issue. They have a point, from a certain point of view, but it's a point of view that simultaneously uplifts leftist victim culture and degrades blacks.

Black America has been trained to see every specific incident of unfairness as evidence of an underlying racist culture infecting our entire society. Imus is more harmful to kids who've never heard of him than Snoop Dogg because Imus isn't Imus, he's the manifestation of an oppressive power structure. It's ridiculous to think that a great basketball player with a bright future ahead of her should be scarred for life by the comments of a dumb old white guy, but he's not just a dumb old white guy, he's them, and he slipped up to show her what they really think of her.

Likewise, this "us versus them" mentality keeps blacks from criticizing their own too harshly if others are likely to hear. I've encountered numerous blacks who agree with me on the importance of black America getting its own act together, regardless of what the rest of the country does. However, I've only heard such comments after I've really gained some trust over a long period of time--they've got to "keep it in the family."

What began as a healthy way to protect their community has morphed into an excuse-ridden culture of protecting the predators in their midst.

This is undeniably a direct result of the atrocities of slavery and Jim Crow. But, not unlike denial or any other defense mechanism, if not grown through, it can take on a life of its own, and it can kill you.