I agree, we ARE http://www.rkba.org/comment/cowards.html

The time when we could have done something passed long ago. There is no possibility of going back on the offensive against political correctness — PC has already won.

Kudos, Bill!

Holter's remarks are disgusting. In fact, they're quite racist.

Attorney General Holder wants to see a coward? Tell him to look in the damned mirror.

Damn! Nothing sickens me more than seeing a racist accuse others of racism while hiding behind his race. That has so many evils attached to it – cowardice, hypocrisy, etc. – that my head's spinning.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

We are a nation of cowards – however he is mistaken as to which side of the political isle that name applies and not in regards to race. For crying out loud, we have a (half)black President, yet people are still using race as a crutch?

Vic

'What you mean 'we', kimosabe?'

Speak for yourself.

We don't talk enough about race "honestly," Mr. Holder, due to the cowardice on the part of the race-card holders.

Okay, Mr. Holder – I'll bite. Since we now have a black president, and you would agree that there has been a strong sense of social liberation to come with it, can we now expect the majority of black children to be born from married couples? Can we expect the percentage of blacks among the male prison population to resemble something closer to the general population (12-20%)? Assuming Obama goes two terms, can we reasonably expect this to be accomplished by, say, 2017?

Is this the kind of frank discourse you were seeking?

Not to worry – I think I know the answer.

So let me get this straight…America is a cowardly nation because we don't sit around contemplating racial "issues"? This from the crowd that have made it abundantly clear that my opinion on their "community" doesn't matter because of my melanin content? This from the bunch that continue to pick at the scab of racism as a method of self-egrandizement and personal wealth creation? This from the indiviuals who will preach racial unity on Thursday and then on Friday, attend events clearly designed to segregate themselves and their victim-mentality myrmidons from their fellow countrymen? This from a gaggle of mental midgets who blanched at the idea that they were basing their support for their beloved Teleprompter-in-Chief because of his skin tone, yet couldn't pick out the bulk of his policies unless they were accompanied by enough bass to dislodge Rosie O'Donnell from the buffet line at Golden Corral? Interesting concept there, Mr. Holder. Seems to me the greater coward here is the individual who can look at this nation, see the strides that perviously downtrodden minorities have made, and still see nothing but white-sheeted boogeymen lurking behind every corner.

So far the race baiting hasn't played a much of a role in the Obama administration. Statements like these from Holder suggests it might down the road. If they want to go there, I think they'll regret it. It's a can of worms.

America isn't (and never was) a white/black society. Other groups have their axes to grind. And not just against white people. If they try to play the white guilt card, that may have got them elected, but it's going to disenfranchise a lot of Obama supporters if they keep it up.

When times get even tougher, as they might, a lot of anger is going to boil over and they would be smart not to fan any flames.

So glad a man in his position has pre-judged us all. Thanks for the heads-up.

And I thought justice was blind.

Is this guy stupid? We just had the Daytona 500. People have been talking about the race for about a month! We have the INDY 500 coming up and the Kentucky Derby, NYC & Boston Marathon. I'll race him anytime anywhere he chooses at a ice rink on ice skates!

Hope and Change FOR IMPEACHMENT – bottom line this guy reflects his own anger and that same anger that Obama keeps hidden so very well.

This from those who are running the country.
This from those who won.
This from those who will tell you how you are going to pay.

If 300 fearless students/activists at a left leaning university held demonstrations against political correctness, occupied the university president's office until removed by the police or until he/'she denounced the Womens/black/gay studies departments as government funded left wing indoctrination centers, then we'd be a long way towards banishing political correctness in this country. If it happened at 10 universities PC would soon be dead once and for all. The fact that this is an unheard of scenareo just shows that Holder is absolutely correct.

You have to stand up for what you believe in spite of fear of arrest or lawsuit. The red diaper left does, why not the conservative right?

The high road's quieter. You can get more real work done.

This Democrat administration hack does not say these outrageous comments accidentally- comments such as this one from Eric Holder are purposely put out there to further the myth of epidemic white racism.
Holder's clear promotion of this false perception serves to keep America separated, agitated, and keep different racial groups suspicious and at odds with each other. The purpose is for no reason other than to characterize ordinary, rational people of good will as guilty, racist creeps, whose every opinion is to be considered vile and invalid.
This race-baiting strategy is advantageous for Obama/ Holder's fascist criminal socialist policy objectives, making them much more difficult to criticize when the criticism is directed at Holder or Obama, themselves being of a race with automatic liberal victim status.
Dont fall for this racist ploy by Obama, Holder, and their ilk.
Speak your truth regardless of this false side issue.
Holder, we already know that there is no level you wont stoop to in order to serve your criminally sick career and yourcriminal buddies like the Clintons and Democrats in Congress.

I went through school as an, Irish-English-Danish-German American male, constantly being bombarded with the notion that I was somehow responsible for every social injustice under the sun. As a white male I was responsible for slavery and keeping the black man down. I was also responsible for keeping women in the kitchen and for slaughtering Native Americans. Not to mention interring Japanese-Americans during WW II. I was stunned to find out how busy I had been and not even known it.

Slavery is not some cruel notion thought up by Americans and only practiced here, it exists through out history in all cultures. I'm not condoning slavery in any way shape or form, it's deplorable and disgusting at every level, however, it is part of American history as well as world history.

What about the outrage at the Native American tribes who routinely took slaves from other tribes they defeated in battle. It was that very same practice by the Zulu tribe in Africa that brought Africans to Americas shore and many other countries as well

According to the 1860 US census of the 15 slave states only 4.8% of the southern citizens had slaves. Slave owners were in the extreme minority. My ancestors never owned slaves they were indentured servants.

MLK "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." People like the Rev. Jesse Jackson has turned such a thought provoking statement on its head. Where everything is about the color of ones skin and not the content of their character.

Were did you get such dangerous ideas?

Actually, I had a fun experience in lawschool. In an in-class debate about a couple of old cases dealing with legal discrimination, I started quoting Martin Luther King. A black student then jumped up and said that what I had said (a direct quote mind you) was racist and insensitive. When I pointed out that this was a MLK quote, I got a blank stare followed by "I doubt that."

Our first African-American chief law inforcement officer kicks off Black History Month with some hopey changey racially charged marching orders to the troops – call it a trial balloon on the upcoming Integration Anti-Cowardice Act of 2010 legislation. I wonder how many Justice Dept new hires got the memo in their personnel orientation?

I look forward to Gary Graham assisting Congressional Quarterly with some insightful reporting!

Oh, who cares about being called a coward? He's a jerk, his opinion is irrelevant.
No, I care about the fact that academia is so obsessed with "discussing race" that I cannot graduate without spending approx. $3,000 on a class called "American Cultures: Race and Representation", which has not one damn thing to do with a degree in European History. And, might I add that your tax dollars are paying for that class for every student with federal financial aid.
And, I'm sorry but I don't think the iconic image of a strong, nurturing but strict, black mother is particularly rascist. Nor do I think that the Obama presidency is a new level of racism. My money and time are spent being told that raising the standards of achievement for black people (see: Obama presidency) is racist.
Or am I just innoculated??

But, yes, TugboatPhil…. I absolutely believe that anyone who buys a particular brand of syrup (see: Aunt Jemima) is racist. And, also that the name "Jemima" is racist. Ooh, and can't forget that the image of any woman with a kerchief on her head is a direct link to black enslavement. I guess when women cleaning their houses decide to keep their hair off their face with a kerchief, it's an abusive and derogatory gesture against black people.
I guess I should never, ever, ever buy anything that has a logo containing a black person or I will become so innoculated to racism that I'll inadvertently join the Klan, or something equally heinous.

LOL!!!

Oh, I should mention, of course, that I am white. However, I also have a black friend (what a concept) who married into an Asian family. He got exactly the same treatment. Take the beam out of your own eye, Holder, before you start talking about the tiny sliver in mine.

Getting it off your chest helps. Go have a cup of tea, you'll feel better.

ALERT – ALERT – ALERT
ZUNDFOLGE IS A PAID POSTER. DO NOT ANSWER HIS POSTS ANY LONGER.

John,
Since the PC "white people = oppressors" doctrine has been taught in high schools and universities for well over 3 decades now, I think that we have created a society where most light-skinned people are raised to be sensitive to others' cultures, etc. but ethnic minorities (Asians, Hispanics, Blacks) are not.
This is VERY evident if you live in an area of the country dominated by one of these ethnic groups. I lived in an area of southern Arizona that was >50% Hispanic, and found my Hispanic friends and neighbors there to be EXTREMELY racist (mostly toward Asians and blacks), sexist and homophobic. Hell, just watch Univision if you need proof.

I am a coward for not talking about race? I talk about race and because I do, I am immediately labeled a racist because I am a white conservative male. If i don't talk about race, I am ignoring the most henous trespass on man since the world began. I am sick of being called a racist by racists. If Mr. Holder wants to get together and gripe about the racists in the world, let him. Let him do it with his friends. Let me live my life. If you want to start calling names, I've got a few for you sir. And none of them are racist.

Yeah…..I always get that same response when I tell people that Dr. King had registered as a Republican – LOL!

I'll be brave once Mr Holder arranges the pardon for some my shadier friends.
We can haggle about the size of the donation to the DNC afterwards.

I for one am beyond fed up with the race card that has been pulled on white people for all of my life,
Every movie or t.v. program that deals with race in any way is only made to make whites feel guilty about the past and enable black people to be victims!
For instance as far as movies go, i liked GLORY very much, but was i the only one that was offended by the white boy comments? and the only black carracter in the movie that had been around white people most of his life was a #@ssy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And about REMEMBER THE TITANS , another good movie but, had the typical southern white stereotypes, (you know when the stupid white BOY finally figured out the mamma jokes). and how they only came together after the white kids started acting more black? hmmm!
I am through, i am through with this b.s. it is over for me i will never again feel guilty for the racism of the past, i do not care anymore. we have a black president and that now ends it!! To quote a great man, FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY , THIS WHITE BOY (NOW WHITE MAN!) IS FREE AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking of cowardice, how about these statistics (culled from the Justice Department's statistics, of which Eric Holder, the Attorney General, is in charge):

• Of the nearly 770,000 violent interracial crimes committed every year involving blacks and whites, blacks commit 85 percent and whites commit 15 percent.
• Blacks commit more violent crime against whites than against blacks. Fortyfive percent of their victims are white, 43 percent are black, and 10 percent are Hispanic. When whites commit violent crime, only three percent of their victims are black.
• Blacks are an estimated 39 times more likely to commit a violent crime against a white than vice versa, and 136 times more likely to commit robbery.
• Blacks are 2.25 times more likely to commit officially-designated hate crimes against whites than vice versa.

Perhaps we SHOULD be cowards. What the attorney general fails to talk about is the real reason whites avoid blacks — because we want to avoid crime and, hopefully, stay alive.

Of course, I somehow don't believe this was the conversation about race the attorney general WANTED us to have…

I'm a racist, Eric. Come visit me and I'll prove it. Truthy enough for you?

Thank-you for posting here Mr. Willingham. Believe it or not I have been a fan of your since waaaay back when you did art in things like "Slave Pits of the Undercity" , I still have it in a box somewhere
Anyway, liberals only interact with liberals because conservatives are stupid or evil, so to them they are surrounded by cowards, political correctness is the ultimate cowardice

Rae

Let's make nice nice with Islamic Jihadists who want us dead.
Let's make nice with North Korea, because they're psycho.
Let's be nice to Iran.
Cowards – yes, the Democrats are Cowards, I agree.
But he needs to use the singular when he says this, not the plural.
I'm no coward.
Speak for yourself, Holder.

[...] that amused, right now. I feel like I’m watching a Keystone Kops version of the Wehrmacht goose-stepping down Pennsylvania Ave., with a propped-up quisling media corps (aka “the Clown Brigade”) flashing [...]

I'll bet my chunk of bailout money that he's not including minorities in that comment.. How "post-racial."

Look at how freaked out you're getting….that was his point. Americans cannot talk about our nations race issues without:
(1) Whites getting defensive, screaming about white burden & denying the lasting effects of Slavery
(2) African Americans getting frustrated, angry at continued racism & shocked at those who deny it's existence

Those are the reactions of cowards. Brave men don't fear debate. Brave men don't fear having their views proven wrong. Brave men don't fear truth, they embrace it…they reject "Lie to Win" as a debate strategy.
Brave men stand up for Universal Truths..truths like, "all men are created equal"

So who's brave..they guy who wants to honestly talk about & confront a problem…or the guy who wants to deny the problem, deny history & deny his own actions?

On election day 23% of Americans "feared" that our new President was "Arab", "a Muslim" or "a Socialist". Nearly a decade into the 21 Century…and we continue to allow that level of ignorance to fester.

Brave men wouldn't stand for it. We ARE cowards on this issue.

X: so you think maybe "Mr. Jocelyn Elder" is angling for reparations or something similar?

"Your side has taken itself out of the game, and until such time as you on the left can get your house in order, you aren’t worth a reasonable man’s time or effort."

Truer words have never been spoken. IMO the left has not been interested in actual discourse for several years now, unless hateful spewing of dogma counts as discourse.

If he did, coward would be the wrong description. Spineless, greedy, Clinton lackey, sellout, hypocrite, race-baitor….those would work much better.

Obviously you have not encountered inner city minorities. They will make your head spin by making every sentence of every subject racial, then a moment later they will denounce you for speaking aloud. I am white and have worked in minority majority areas for over twenty years. Racism is quite alive, but most of it is antiwhite. After getting abused multiple times, you learn to just smile & ignore the racist morons, because they refuse to know the truth. If you make your decisions based on race, you're a racist. If you make your decision based on the actions and character of the people you see, you're not a racist. See how simple it can be????????????

I spent much of 1964 getting broken bones and scars from a redneck sheriff who didn't like my stand on civil rights in Mississippi. Much of my legal career was devoted to criminal defense cases where African-Americans were being selectively prosecuted. I'm no coward, nor are my friends and associates. We love debate. But being called a coward and a racist by those who talk the talk but never had to walk the walk is deplorable. Debate on race today is comprised entirely of a white person making a statement about affirmative action, welfare, crime, the economy or any of a host of subjects and being responded to with the debate-ending "you're a racist." If being pissed-off about being called a coward and a racist by people who were born twenty to thirty years after we civil rights workers, black and white, put our bodies on the line is defensive–then so be it! .

And yes, there is racism in America. Show me a country where there isn't any racism, and I'll show you Shangri-La. I don't deny history–I lived it. I don't deny my own actions–I'm proud of them (and rather surprised that I had that much courage). And I don't deny there's a problem. The problem is people who have a particular position, and when you disagree with it, they cover their ears and shout "Nyah, nyah, hyah, you're a racist." Walking away from that isn't fear, it's just common sense. And I never feared that Obama was a socialist. I know that he is, and I acted on it. So I guess that qualifies me as a defensive racist and a coward. I probably should add "fascist" since that's the other insult du jour.

So sad, and unfortunately so true.
When I told my neice that I didn’t like rap music, she immediately told me that I must be a racist. So I responded by saying that I didn’t like country music either and wanted to know what that made me. In true liberal fashion, she had no response because there is no thought behind the name-calling.

I wish Holder would STFU. Do we need to talk about Rev Wright or ACORN?

It's unfortunate, but great job pointing out the REALITY – and with facts.

Why is it never mentioned how many Northern soldiers died to save the union and thereby support the end of slavery? I mean, they were white. My American ancestors did this. Why are no Abolitionists mentioned in discussions of American history? They worked their asses off.

Perhaps he knows something about being a coward. Freeing terrorists to help Clinton. Instead of him having a back bone.

On second thought:

Maybe I will choose to participate in discussions on race as long as it is "fair and balanced." Would Mr. Holder be willing to discuss, among other things: the massive taxpayer ripoff of hiring unqualified blacks to occupy "administrative assistant" positions in the Federal Triangle, so many of whom I observe playing solitaire on their computers whenever I pass their desks; the outrageous percentage of blacks born out of wedlock into single mother homes; black crime rates; black high school drop out rates; horrific black rap broadcast on FCC-licensed airwaves so full of racial invective and language so foul and mysoginistic as to make a bosun's mate blush; Michael Vick; and…there is insufficient room here to list them all. Need I go on?

And now for something completely different: How come we have heard zilch in the MSM about the phrase "spread the wealth around" as Congress gave birth to the Iowa State Fair Grand Champion Hog aka, "the stimulus bill?"

Don't forget,

Holder (Demagogue-NY) et ilk continue harvesting surrogate agents for the revolution (abandooned for capitalism by "the Workers" long ago).

Without such agents, for whom to 'advocate', the socialist fantasy (brainwash) comes crashing to earth.

That, of course, compels Alinskyite Obama(wimp)'s desperate "Dreams of My Father" capitalist-deconstructionism.

Fancy that!

Which is most cowardly:

1.) Eric Holder declaring "America is a nation of cowards"?

2.) Asking Eric Holder if he feels Americans think he and his boss are, therefore, simply 'uppity' "[N-words]"?

3.) Modern Liberals (a.k.a., self-congratulatory "victims")?

Talking about race is like talking about sexuality. "Too much information!!!" I don't want to know. In the workplace, it is an inappropriate topic. Outside of the workplace, I am free to associate with whom I please. Why would I want to discuss politics, religion, race, or sexuality with someone that I do feel it is "safe to share?"

It seems that the "African-Americans" are the only people in the world who want to talk about race. Nobody else cares. No one else gives a s–t. Want to talk about race? OK Here is my contribution. "Get over it!" Read Thomas Sowell and make something of yourself with relying on welfare, reparations, or Affirmative Action.

Who knows. I would just expect him to focus on bigger issues than this but after his comments on race, I'm not so sure he can.

I can't remember, did Condoleezza Rice ever make race a central issue in any of her dealings as Secretary of State?

Right on, Bill. Anyone who promiscuously hurls the word "racist" should immediately receive a 50,000 volt jolt.

This is just another part of the liberal playbook and it must be crushed. Racism exist in this world, and will always exist. Tolerance and respect for another human being directly correlates with experience, and is mutually earned. I believe the election Obama proves without question that we are not nearly as racist as the Jesse Jackson’s, and Al Sharpton’s of the world would have us believe, and screaming racist all of the time is the hob-goblin of the simple mind, and only serves to rile up the stupid, and ignorant.

Why does the AG believe that race has to be discussed ALL THE TIME. Seriously, my family immigrated here in the early 1900's. Race is not important to me. It means nothing. I don't need to discuss it because there are actually real issues in our country. If the POTUS, AG, and the entire left want to continue to talk about race, they can all move to the same city, and have their own debates, by themselves. I have better things to do.

I am soooooooo sick of this. The blacks in this country should be thanking the USA for slavery. Not only are they born here but the slaves back then were in one of the first countries to get rid of slavery. (Among the last of the firsts)

You should be paying us

Especially if you watch PBS. If that were all you ever saw you would be convinced that this Nation is comprised of about 95% Blacks but have discriminated against and kept down by the 5% remaining "races". Every month is Black History Month on PBS.

Again, saying that WE are a nation of cowards brands every US resident. This is a rather broad swipe, don't you think? Some folks DO have an issue with a discussion of race. Frankly, in general, it is not worth having, as nothing changes position for many.

I am totally comfy having a "conversation" on race, since I have so little sense it will make any difference. I tis like talking about the weather.

IF Holder wanted to further the racial conversation, he could have easily reframed his comments as encouraging and supportive, He chose to make it a big make wrong. What is HIS area of fear?

"f he really wanted to be racist, he could have done a much better job"

EXACTLY!

I mean, wouldn't the more racist caption be: "Great. Now we get four years of Joe Biden?"

Yet another reason why I"m such a Willingham fan – the man speaks the truth, PC be damned.

I am getting really sick and tired of being called a racist. If Mister Holder wants to have a conversation about race I will give him a chance. There is a documentary called "A Conversation About Race" Which was done in Denver, CO. It's been out about a year. The producer has been trying to get it shown on the air in either the networks or PBS to no avail. The Denver area PBS station KBDI even went so far as to deliberately waste the producers time by pretending to be making arrangements for showing it when KBDI had no intention of doing so.

So Mr. Holder if you really want to have a conversation about race get a copy and insist it be shown on every PBS station in the country.

http://www.aconversationaboutrace.com/

I will be holding my breath

Good point, be-u-tful. Divide and conquer. Set the various groups in society against each other. Nice tyrannical technique.
And speaking the truth without fear is well said, to boot.

It's time to call a spade a spade: Eric Holder is nothing more than a racist crook installed just like Janet Reno to allow Obama to get away with criminal behavior.

You guys don't get it!!!!!!! Its' our fault for making them do that!!! I saw a hate crime during a Phoenix Suns game the other day……Zach Randolph Punched Lou Amundson…He got a 2 game suspension…Thats racial harmony!

Mr. Holder, this coward wants to talk to you about race. When I hear Black America denounce the pursuit of education as "being white", I hear racism. When I hear Black America speak a language that is incomprehensible outside of the 'hood, I hear racism. When I hear Black American music that advocates killing police officers, I hear racism. When I hear someone like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, or yourself whine that we're still a racist country, I hear racism. When I hear someone call themelves an African-American instead of an American, I hear racism.
So, yeah, I guess you're right.

I'm going to use that one!

Just what I was thinking when I heard Al Sharpton's whining!

When one party can, will and has persecuted and prosecuted the other party for words and opinions, the second party will not participate.

Cowardice? It is called prudence and intelligence!!!!!

In the US, the intelligent white person does not subject himself/herself to the abrogation of his/her first amendment rights with regard to race by the professional victim society.

hardhead – how dare you exercise the truth – can't you see that the truth is not allowed by the ruler in the obamanation.

This is just leading up to reparations.

They will guilt the same wh!te people that voted out of guilt in the general election into agreeing to reparations.

I personally think the wh!te race in America will never be forgiven (for something that this generation had nothing to do with) by b[ack Americans. PERIOD.

B[acks will always demand respect from wh!tes.

BUT…

At the same time they take every opportunity to humiliate and disrespect wh!te people, and EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS TO BE TRUE.

And while b[acks have Al Sharpton, the naacp, the aclu, Jesse Jackson etc…, wh!tes have nobody to stand at the hilltop and talk about injustices…

Sadly, wh!tes are not allowed to have (non-rac!st) groups and organizations to represent THEM EXCLUSIVELY like all the other races in America.

Now since Holder is Attorny General of the US he needa to provoke to have an Issue he can prodevute.
If this is the Character and not the Color of the Skin, God help us all now.

That's because we white males "don't understand what it's like to be black." This is the default statement in the race dialogue. Black people have a problem with children out of wedlock? "You just don't understand what it's like to be black." Black teens killing each other in astronomical numbers? "You just don't understand what it's to be black."

Pretty good reasoning, if you've got a ham sandwich for a brain. By that logic, I'm pretty sure it would be okay to eliminate the white, oppressive menace by violence. I'm not too worried though, it's not as if the ghettos are filled with illegal arsenals and their denizens organized into bloodthirsty, paramilitary organizations…

Remember: It's a black thing. You wouldn't understand.

Disagree with a liberal on the issue of race, no matter how accurate and well-intentioned the non-liberal statement is, the lib draws the "racist" pistol from his holster. Beyond that most disagreements with the liberal line evokes moral indignation or outright insult. You're against welfare, you are not compassionate. I no longer discuss politics with liberals. Arguing with religious fanatics is easier.

Hard Headed Woman had a good point about the PBS point of view. Same problem at the LA Times and NPR. These dipsticks have no reality contact and don't want any.

[...] Big Hollywood, Bill Willingham writes: Dear Mr. Holder: serious and thoughtful conversations about race aren’t possible in today’s [...]

I wonder how it is you can say that the right isn't "just as bad" on this issue? What about people who support a woman's right to choose as baby-killers? Those who support gay marriage labeled as "trying to destroy America"? Or what about those who question excessive interrogation on the orders of the government as being "unamerican"? Let's not forget those who screamed and shouted that Obama was a terrorist, that he should be lynched, or that he was a traitor to the country at John McCain's political rallies.

You make a solid point about the discourse in this country resorting to name-calling and not being a worthwhile intellectual pursuit. You do fail to see that the it's not only the liberals who do it.

I think you've nailed it: this is the precursor to some sort of "discussion" of reparations that will lead to a MASSIVE wealth transfer to blacks. A pay-back. It'll get really interesting when blacks who have no American ancestry get a slice of the reparations pie.

Um … doesn't this mean that approximately 77% of Americans were NOT afraid that the candidate likely to be the first black president was an Arab, Muslim or a socialist? And isn't that a good thing? As a white person, if you disagree with the PC police, or with any statement, really, by an Africa-American, you are branded a racist. That is just a step above being a Nazi. For a lot of people, "racist" means you are a morally reprehensible person and hence your argument automatically has no merit. And other people, fearful of being smeared, just back away from you. The "victim's" charge is what gets the attention. It's very powerful, and a good many black people do not hesitate to use it.

What? We're "just as bad" if we want to defend a helpless unborn? We've adopted four of those that otherwise would be aborted. So we're "just as bad"? We tried to adopt "cross-racially" and save a baby from destruction (and we sadly failed, she was aborted at seven months) and we're "just as bad"? We try to help the black community see that they are aborting their babies at three times the rate of white women and try to stop that and we're "just as bad"? I don't buy it or the other descriminatory, destructive, elitist ideas coming from the new administration and the old, failed sixties ideas being forced down our throats. I refuse to participate in socialism.

Wow, I'm flash-backs to college and law school.

The word RACIST is so misused it no longer has any meaning to most people ,most folks if you ask them for the definition you would be shock .

Well, is it not becoming obvious that deference to a persons point of view that is a person of color is a racist thing in itself? Also, to be over impressed with America for electing a black man is a kind of racism. Wow! We elected a black man! Well, how about we elected an American, a man that has a black father. It should not be a big deal. We have to judge him by the quality of his character and the shape of his words and actions as president. To be afraid to go negative on anyone in this country because of a fear of being accused of racism is in itself racist. People of color can be considered smart enough and strong enough to take criticism. To defer based on color is to deny they are equal. It is an insult to them.

I say we are all Americans, all people in a great melting pot and I enjoy the diversity. I hate identity politics, though, because it keeps differences alive. True equality can only happen when no one is treated differently in speech, written word, law, or regulation.

DD
Montana

Oops that wouldn't be a racist comment now would it? Lol…

I read the abstract, didn't have to read the piece to know what it says. I used to run into that kind of stuff ALL the time in college — went to the People's Republic of Boulder (U. of Colorado) for college.

I would have scratched my eyes out, except I kept laughing at the idea that Obama should have to start dressing unisex! I vote either emo or he could bring back Glam Rock. How cool would that be! Introducing Ziggy O and the Biden from Delaware!

What an ass-hat! Holder needs to apologize, especially to us former liberal white males, and resign! What a disgusting disgraceful self serving jerk! Earth to Holder, we have an African-American president, you hold one of the most powerful positions in gov't, and we are a nation of racial cowards?!!! I served for many years in the United States Army as an Equal Opportunity Representative, advocating the rights of minorities, especially African-Americans, me a white boy from Alabama, and I'm a racial coward? You and Obama and your whole gang of stinking liberal Democrat commie scum CAN ALL GO TO HELL!

I could not have said it better. Just because I am white does not make me a racist. Calling me a racist because I am white makes said name-caller a racist.

Thank God for the Internet and talk radio. Without them, we would already be living under leftist tyranny. Fight them all! Fihgt them every step of the way!

The only reason to keep 'discussing' race is to keep trying to heap guilt on the current (white) US population for grievous actions of past generations. I do not have guilt about race. I am not a hyphenated American. Why is slavery in the US still being discussed while it is ongoing in several part of the world, not the least being north central Africa? Yes, whites bought slaves; they bought slaves of all different races including whites. Who sold Africans into slavery? Who is still keeping blacks, for the most part, in a slave mentality other than out friends, Jesse, Al, Eric, Maxine, et al? Why are there black, Hispanic, Asian etc. student unions at many colleges and universities? Who are the people most likely to segregate themselves from the general population, and then keep preaching that we have to really discuss race relations? Look at all the government programs that have been funded over the last 60 years targeting the 'less fortunate' black population. If these programs had any success at all, every black family would not still be complaining about lack of opportunity. And, we can be sure Holder will defend kids outside the womb (e.g., Elian Gonzales and the Branch Davidian children) and children in the womb (supporter of Planned Parenthood, founded by Margaret Sanger, who believed in the genocide of blacks through abortion) – NOT. Holder is racist and a race baiter.

Some white person didn't invite him to a birthday party when he was a kid and he still harbors a great resentment. Look government did all they could do to make things equal Now they're mad we don't like them as much as we like people who are more like ourselves in culture and manner.

"I only ever talk about important matters like race and gender politics with those for whom there is still the possibility of serious discourse and reasoned debate."

…in other words, those who are willing to reduce all discussion and comment to the absurdly simplistic terms that the droogs on the right prefer so that they can erect straw men and then riducule them.

It is interesting that the author of this article, while attempting to undermine and criticize it, validates Mr. Holders point (unwittingly, I presume) with the following passage:

"That’s why I don’t play your silly games anymore. I only ever talk about important matters like race and gender politics with those for whom there is still the possibility of serious discourse and reasoned debate. Once again, I suspect I’m not alone in this. Your side has taken itself out of the game, and until such time as you on the left can get your house in order, you aren’t worth a reasonable man’s time or effort."

The definition of "coward", according to dictionary.com, is "a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc." Doesn't limiting his discussion of these "important matters" to people other than "the left" — thereby, simply avoiding discussions that may be "difficult" with "opposition" meet this definition?

As to posts about "PC" or the reaction to the "monkey" cartoon, take a look at the diverse world around you. It is only smart to attempt to understand the history (here, historical slurs referring to people of color as "monkeys") and to be sensitive to such history. Some attempt to dismiss the offense taken as PC hypersensitivity or to distinguish the cartoon by saying the people who actually "wrote" the legislation were Pelosi or Reid; but, who are they kidding. The stimulus package — although a collaboration between the administration and Congress — was Obama's baby. (Also, in light of the above-described history, it is far different to call Mr. Bush a monkey than to call Mr. Obama the same. Of course, it is fair to disagree with Mr. Obama or to call him other things (that have not been the historical domain of racists). That goes with the territory.

It IS time that we have a serious, respectful discussion about these issues. The feelings expressed by this author and all of you who have commented — as well as those who have other views — should be part of that discussion.

[...] cannot answer right away that’s okay. You can ease into this discussion after reading what Bill Willingham has to say about your provocative comment. ▶ Comment /* 0) { [...]

Yes, contact your White Caucaus Representatives. Oh, we don't have a seperate Caucaus, do we?

ROFL

Anti Redneck, huh?

When, oh when will it ever be ENOUGH!!!

The blood shed by BRAVE young soldiers in the Civil War should have been enough.
Emancipation should have been enough.
The Civil Rights Movement should have been enough.
Blacks elected to all sorts of offices should have been enough.
Blacks equal in the workplace should have been enough.
Obama elected to the highest position of power in the World should be enough.
Mr. Holder himself appointed as the first black attorney general should be enough.

What on earth do these people want and when can the white man ever do enough? It will NEVER be enough because these people cannot accept reality and forgive. They choose to bear a grudge and their own anger and hate will ultimately usurp the color-blindness they say they desire.

There comes a time (now) when the screeching about race turns on itself and becomes a parody of itself. It no longer resonates and calling the people of this great land COWARDS only fuels and fans any remaining racist embers left burning.

Amen to that, Political Correctness is cowardice.

Exactly! It's not about unifying people, cause let's be honest not everyone gets along or have the same opinions. Which is sort of what keeps life interesting. The left beats the drum of understanding diversity and cherishing it. Yet what they are really getting at is creating stereotypes and reinforcing victimization. I have friends from all different races, not because a college professor told me to but because I know they are good human beings.

Yes they are victims, your right they're victims. I'm sorry for slavery, I'm sorry for the laws that were passed against them, I'm sorry for all the terrible very bad things that have ever happened to black people in this country. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. What else can I do to better lift up the black society as a whole seeing as how they can not do it them selves. They have literally more groups working for them than any other race. I'm sorry that Democrats were such racist with all of their Jim Crow laws and such. I'm good at this I was indoctrinated into the notion that I'm personally responsible for all of this, alas I went through the public school system. There now that I've apologized for the 300 years that I wasn't alive for and had nothing to do with can we move past it please.

Correct!!

Yes, but cowardice in the defense of freedom is a virtue… at least that's what I hear from hippies.

Dave, "U2"? Band or spy plane?

As opposed to making it so convoluted and abstract that you would need Freud himself to explain it. When the truth of the matter is racism comes down to one thing, hate. What agencies funded by the government will be set up to better push Mormon victimization after the attacks made on them, their churches and their sacred temples. They also suffered attacks in the US 200 years ago. They simply practiced their constitutional right of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. When will the ACLU champion their rights. Why were they attacked for voting for Prop 8, when they too were the "minority" of the voting block. Have I made it to simplistic have I created a straw man?

Now I'm forced to find out what is happening on "Real Clear Politics" if that's a catch phrase like "transparency" I'm pretty sure what I'm in for.

No wonder Oprah won't marry the guy.

Great post, Dr. Keller! Interesting.

Unfortunately, from most of the comments I have read here, I doubt they will understand you (unless you throw a couple of good insults at Mr. Holder, blacks or the "left wing PC movement").

The reason why it's not mentioned is because initially the Civil War wasn't actually fought to free slaves. The "Emancipation Proclamation" was issued during the civil war.

Terrific to see you here, Batton.

huh?
There are many things I find confusing about your statements and antisemitism but here's the first one I found scrolling back through it, "I find it amazing how many people are now calling Blacks racist. Blacks have no power to be racist and racism is prejudice plus power!" (the most powerful man in the world is black)

First off prejudice is not racism, prejudice is what life experiences have taught you to be either A) comfortable with or B) wary of. Everyone prejudges situations on a minute by minute basis in their lives. Discrimination on the other hand is racism.

Racism isn't a magical power that only white people are born with. It's merely the notion that your race is superior to another race and you let that race now when ever you can.

I like to boil racism down to just hate for others who are not like you. I get the impression that you hate Jews, in this situation it doesn't make you racist it makes you antisemitic.

It sounds like you have read a lot of books about the great Jewish conspiracy against black people, this is the first time I've heard about it. I'm going to look into that so I can evaluate whether I should start being antisemitic now or not.

Personally I like to take people at face value from the personal experiences I've had with all different types of individuals. I grow concerned when a black male approaches me and he has a starter jacket on and his hat is sideways and he's flashing me gang signs. I also grow concerned when a white individual approaches me with a shaved head red suspenders, black pants, white shirt and white shoe laces on his Doc Martin's. I have a prejudice to both because I've learned through life experience that both of these individuals typically hate and are dangerous. They are not adverse to violence or the ideology they base their reputations on. If what I have perceived and my original assessment of the situation is wrong I adjust my preconceived notions. Which is great I get to meet some new individual. If my prejudice is correct I quickly and politely divert myself from the situation to keep from potentially winding up in the hospital or dead.

Answer me this one question though, are you Muslim?

I try to throw the word racist around as much as possible to desensitize people to it's true meaning. I do this because it's a constant battering ram against white people, as if white people were the only individuals capable of racism.

I am secure in the fact that I'm not racist but by trying to argue any political or socioeconomic point against some black person I am immediately labeled a racist by most, white included. Thanks to the indoctrination of white mans guilt through the entire education system most people around said conversation will think I'm a racist. I'm tired of it.

Holder opened the flood gates for me, I'm a coward for not being able to have a conversation about racism! The conversation in it's true form is pretty easy to have. Slavery is the never ending blemish on American history and culture. One hates another group because they are different. I guess we can't get past it.

It's like trying to talk to a Democrat who immediately declares Bush is just like Hitler. If that was actually the case we would have already conquered all known countries. First I have to argue another ridiculously convoluted points to get to the true substance of the debate.

In the words of Mohammad Ali “Thank God my granddaddy got on that boat." I know quoting and pointing out some reality is, alas, also racist.

I do have to agree that the word traitor and terrorist have been thrown around pretty loosely by Republican candidates. Although when a newly converted Muslim shows up in a mall with hand grenades in his pockets we're also told by the media that he's not a terrorist. It's all these crazy extremes that we are forced to sift through to make decisions about the real situation.

[...] Attorney General: We’re A Nation of Cowards Bill Willingham, Big Hollywood According to the new Attorney General, Eric Holder, speaking today at the Justice Department, [...]

I understand off the cuff reactions, I think they're great. One gets no truer insight into how someone thinks. You stood by your facts an belittled me with sarcastic humor that made me laugh. I'm glad to know that I have now officially ran into a rage'n Cajun and the name fits perfectly, sorry for the stereotype. I have to remember that sarcasm is tough to convey through written words alone. Now I can't wait to visit Louisiana and see if the temperature of their food matches the temperature of your convictions.

My eyes glaze over at Holder's and others' racists remarks such as this. I also quit listening years ago to the annual, mandatory Diversity crap we are required to attend and sign off on at my corp. This has created a backlash that these idiots brought on themselves. All the hucksters and guilt-ridden do-nothings on the left have created this.

Get offa my lawn, ever damn one of you, is my answer.

Interesting anecdote about hanging out in stupid places. I guess you didn't, by your own words, listen to your wise grandfather. Shame on you. I went and checked out Real Clear Politics. It's not much different than the Drudge Report, it links headline news articles into one place. It does however suffer from a rhyming commentator.

Extremists sewage? Could you please in your middle of the road privileged existence point to the extremists commenting here. To me extremist would be decrying the need to kill black people or a little less than extreme would be the go back to Africa mantra. I've seen neither. So extreme in your mind is someone able to link together facts and statistics.

Your privileged line and grand pappy as you say smacks of some movie that I've seen. And come one unenforceable laws still exist about putting an ice cream cone in your back pocket. Most of the comments here are full of factual information. I think your grandfather got it backs wards on the right being all heart and left being all brains. Where does the term "bleeding heart liberal" come from?

So far in here the only disparaging remarks about people have been from you. Please go back to your supposed place on high and leave us simpletons to ourselves.

Heaven help any person who depends on them for routine work like double-sided copying for memos and briefing books, arranging travel reservations, getting orders on time so when one travels, one is actually covered by government insurance in case the plane goes down and one's family must be taken care of. Those simple tasks escaped the abilities or motivations of the AA's who "worked" for the offices to which I was assigned.

Heaven forbid that one might assess their work honestly in an annual effectiveness review. You would be up against a long history of "satisfactory" or "outstanding" evaluations from a long line of white supervisors who feared EEO lawsuits if they wrote honestly. Continued again below…

I think the cowardice Holder wants us to discuss may have some unintended consequences if this debate gets going full steam. He's liable to get some uncowardly individuals giving him an earful about the horrible performance of his fellow ethnics. He had better watch out. He might get just what he's asking for.

If the above makes me a racist, so be it. I'm tired of explaining myself and too old to care anymore.

Yawn.

Merci mille fois, cher! Indeed, my college's mascot were the Ragin' Cajuns, and yes we are not lukewarm nor cold, but HOT. Nothing down there that you'll feel like spewing out of your mouth, to continue the biblical metaphor. Thanks!

And here's a study that comes to the earth-shattering conclusion that personal responsibility is the end-all, be-all. By a Berkeley professor no less. I have to wonder how this would fit into Mr. Holder's "cowardly" narrative.

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/news/rich__black__f...

[...] comics writer Bill Willingham recently wrote an essay in which he responded to Attorney General Eric Holder’… in terms of discussion and treatment of race. Holder’s speech (transcript here) says, boiled [...]

Des,
I agree we can use all those too. I, however, still will use the characterization of coward.
Cowards can't really say what they're thinking out loud for fear of scrutinization.
Mr. Holder shows that.

It was a feeble attempt at humor given the uncanny resemblance between Mr. Holder and Mr. Graham.

The guy is Stedmanesque.

One of the funniest lines I've heard in weeks. The extreme Left is all brain and no heart. This sentiment couldn't possibly be more convoluted. The poster (and far too large a chunk of our society) confuses "brains" with post graduate education. People who spend most of their formative years in a collegiate echo chamber (where the vast majority of voices lean Left) do not have a lack of heart, or an overabundance of brains. They have specialized educations that too many people mistake for real life wisdom. The fact is, the two have nothing in common. Being good at school doesn't make you smarter, wiser, or more compassionate….however it does often lead people to consider themselves superior to others.

I had a friend who was a physicist (worked at Argonne National Laboratory). If you talked to him about physics, engineering, or anything related to particle acceleration, it was like he was talking a different language (one you could never be bight enough to understand). When he talked about global warming, economics, or foreign policy, it sounded like you were talking to someone who'd been dropped on his head as an infant (except the self-assured attitude that he was the smartest guy in the room was still front and center).

I've listened to the brightest political minds on the Left and on the Right, and I don't find it even a close call. The ones on the Right understand the events and consequences of action (or inaction) far more than their counterparts.

Hey, it's in his character; he lobbied successfully to get 16 Puerto Rican terrorists pardoned; then there is Marc Rich (of course, Bill may have had other incentives).

Mr. Author, your words — as well as the definition of "coward" — speak for themselves. That is why I quoted your entire passage and the definition — which left no room for your allegation that I somehow "contorted" or strained" the definition.

I will give it to you that the word "coward" is loaded. My eyes became wide when I first heard that the AG used that word. Then, I read your attempt to condemn his statement and the definition — which made me less concerned.

When your readers calm down (and stop making themselves the poster children for what is known in social phychology as the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct), they should engaging look at themselves and the world around them and have a thoughtful exhange about how we move ahead.

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