I have written a series of short essays addressing some problems I have seen with Ron Paul and the rEVOLution he is leading for a reason: to provide a place where those who might be critical can come and see how issues, apparently not important to the typical Ron Paul supporter are addressed when approached from a perspective not overwhelmingly flattering and subjective in the way of approving of Ron Paul. As most of the information readily available about Ron Paul is produced by supporters who are disproportionately white and male. I didn’t expect to have a rational discussion about race and Ron Paul. I did expect to have the lack of rational discussion be squarely blamed on me as the black male and dissenting, critical opinion.
The disposition towards racial dialog that I have observed amongst Ron Paul supporters is squarely in line with the typical exchange, to speak generally here, that occurs between whites and non-whites. To be a little more particular, that occurs between white males and non-whites. Although the culture of discussion produced by white males often overflows and overlaps into the habits of others, too, as it is hegemonic.
So being blamed for irrationality and for generally being a problem is no surprise in the general population and the Ron Paul following appears to be not much, if at all, different from conversations with Bush or Reagan supporters regarding race.
Please note that I didn’t say Ron Paul has the same line on policy as does Bush or Reagan. He does not. But the kind of conversation from their various supporters is quite similar. And in all cases, their supporters, Bush, Reagan, Paul (and other Repubs) are disproportionately white.
This factor never seems to peg on their intellectual radar as to why the conversations go badly. I believe this is because their is an assumption that exists amongst all these groups on the RIght, whether they identify as Libertarian or Conservative. This assumption is that black people are emotional and irrational about race and therefore need not be seriously listened to or their critiques seriously examined by rational thinkers, who will disproportionately be white. This assumption underlies the thinking and sets the tone for irrational conversations from a group that in their view is commonly irrational, black people.
That is why the statement that was in Ron Paul’s newsletter, “only 5 percent of African-Americans have sensible political opinions” resonated with so many black folks as a believable statement to come from a Ron Paul. We black political types, having encountered this paternal approach so many times, understand that this is something deeply held in the minds of many whites and the tiny smattering of people of color who caucus with the vast majority of whites supporting a candidate like Ron Paul. It was something that was in line with the typical argument that comes from whites when the topic of race and politics is on the table. And being that this is the US, a country founded in the enslavement of black people, when is race not on the table in politics. Never.
A typical comment from a Ron Paul supporter that came in from one of the essays was this from someone calling himself Jack,
After reading your post, all I can say is:
There goes ANY chance of a rational and reasonable discussion. You didn’t intend to have one of those, though did you? You just wanted to call us all racists (without even knowing the color of the people you are talking to.)
Later, fool.
The predictable part is that I took pains to point out that I don’t know if Ron Paul (It’s not even about Jack or whoever ALL means) is racist and that it doesn’t matter whether he personally is or not because the important things, the policies, are racist. I explained this reasoning. But Jack, like most whites discussing from a similar perspective, find it much simpler and quite accepted to label a black person as simply irrational when it comes to race. This characterization of black and irrational is common in their circles and needs scant if any explanation. I asked a question,
If a person or group of people advocate(s) policies that prove consistently to be detrimental to a racial or ethnic group does it matter how that person or group of people personally feel about race if the consequences of his policy actions have race-based consequences?
How irrational of me.
I also pointed out that Ron Paul has significant support amongst white nationalists groups like Don Black’s Stormfront where Paul is criticized as not being the perfect white nationalist candidate but they best that they realistically have right now. This too, I assume is an irrational point for me to mention or as a African in the US, to be concerned with.
I am black and live in Georgia. So, I mention that Ron Paul opposed and continues to oppose the Civil Rights Act. This too, I suppose is an irrational concern. All of these things add up to my irrationality in this discussion.
And this is why I thought it important to touch on the subject of Ron Paul. I know that he isn’t going to win the Republican nomination, no less the presidency. But as an insurgent group of Right Wingers with a lot of slick advertising and marketing, I thought it important to illustrate through interaction with them, how much like the typical Republican or Right Winger, Ron Paul supporters are when it comes to the issue of race in the US. Blaming those victimized by racism (the collectivist line), characterizing criticism of racial comments and policy as irrational, these are the typical tactics utilized by the Right. And the Ron Paul crowd doesn’t break from this tradition and in fact reinforces it by at once claiming to be different but at the same time, demonstrating the limits to Right ideology. Effectively proclaiming that those on the Right can differ about war and peace, the Federal Reserve, to a degree the corporatocracy and religion but when it comes to race, for the most part, they stand united.
Criticism from black people about their positions is summarily dismissed as irrational.
This is not the kind of group that I, as a black person want to caucus with. Hell, I can’t caucus with them. And I would encourage any person that identifies as African or as a person of color, generally to look long and hard at the record of a Ron Paul or similar type candidate and not just at their campaign websites or those of their supporters which, of course, will not be critical in important areas. Our objections, no matter how articulated or explained, are simply dismissed. Or at best, they take a speech from their candidate, in this case Ron Paul, and simply quote him. As if the rhetoric of their politician should be more than enough to allay any fears and concerns around race and racial policy. As if politicians don’t say all manner of things and make all kinds of statements and promises. The striking thing is that this crowd understands that politicians do this and this crowd is typically quite skeptical of simple rhetoric. Quite skeptical about issues that they care about. But because the race issue is something that they either have little concern or have a reactionary position on, simply referring me and other black folks to stump speeches or an “issues” page full of campaign trail rhetoric is enough. It is as if they are collectively saying, ‘Look, he said right here on his website that he’s not racist, SO STOP COMPLAINING!‘
And I guess maybe it would be enough…if only I were not so irrational.
Can't Hold My Tongue 