Pat Bagley Salt Lake TribuneAug 27, 2010 |
Signe Wilkinson Philadelphia Daily NewsAug 27, 2010 |
Here are a couple of outstanding cartoons that sum up how I feel about Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin holding a tea bagger rally on the national mall on the anniversary of Dr. King's Dream speech. No, Beck and other tea party advocates like to claim that they are not racist, but their anti-immigrant, anti help for the poor rhetoric are still antithetical to MLK's writings and speeches. Beck profits by peddling fear and division, whereas King suffered and sacrificed to sew faith and unity.
It seems like too much of a coincidence that a rally criticizing the first African American President would be held on the anniversary of this speech. There may not be any overtly racist motives here, I'd like to give Beck the benefit of the doubt that it is purely coincidental, but the fact is that it's awfully convenient. The tea party movement may claim to have nothing to do with racism, but an awful lot of it's followers certainly bring out the hateful, racist, or at least insensitive and insulting signs at their rallies, don't they? He can appeal to white supremest groups without ever uttering the "N-word," just by happening to have his anti-government, anti-progressive rally on this anniversary.
Everyone had the right to assemble and to free speech. Everyone certainly has the right to their beliefs. But we all need to recognize what is at best, extremely poor taste, and at worst insidiously devious motivation. I'm tired of people making money off of (at least anxiety and suspicion, if not outright) fear and hate. There are people whom I love and admire who are infatuated with this demagogue Beck, my hope and prayer is that they'd recognize him for what he is, a snake oil salesman and practically a cult leader. He's the Father Coughlin of our time, and it's time people said so.
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