Well educated and racist.

[futurebird.livejournal.com]

There is some buzz about the poll result published in the NY Times today that says that tea party members are more well-off and more educated than average Americans. Some folks have been surprised by this data, others suspect it is false due to poor polling methods or bad self-reporting of education level. I, however, think it's spot on-- at least, it matched my impression of the tea party members from the beginning.

I have no idea why so many liberals have it in their heads the teabaggers are simply “rednecks” or “white trash” (to use two more problematic labels.) This old, just above middle class, white male conservative demographic is one I’m familiar with. It’s the base of the Republican party. The “core” if you will. I think when people witness the absurdity, the bigotry, the racism, homophobia etc. the thought is to assume it must be from uneducated people. The idea that educated people can’t be racist is one of the great lies we have in this country. It is very comfortable to point a finger at a poor uneducated racist– less easy to realize that you may have gone to college with some of these folks. (I know I did–)

I don't think that education does much to make people less racist. Some of the most virulent racists are highly educated. Take John Derbyshire for example. His ideas about race are right out of the 19th century. But he imagines himself an intellectual, no doubt. He's even written a book about prime numbers. (As a graduate student in mathematics I submit it is not a very good book, it's pithy, and it is not worth buying at all.)

I have a theory about these folks. Most of them have worked pretty hard, and they are doing “ok” becuase of it, they are also doing “ok” because of white privilege, male privilege- but, I would not wait around for them to recognize *that* –the point is, they did pay their dues, to some extent, and they believe in the American dream (you see those flags) but what they can’t understand is WHY they aren’t millionaires yet– A upper-middle class liberal like myself can recognize the vast divide– the ~classism~ that makes it very difficult for me to go from “well off” to millionaire. I don’t take “the American dream” at face value. I work hard, but I’m under no illusions that through hard work alone the sky is the limit– I recognize my luck, my privilege, and I don’t really think I’m fundamentally different or better than most poor people.

But, these folks just *know* they are better than the poor. They think their work should have limitless rewards. They have started to hit the ceiling– since even for a straight white male from a middle class background, there are *still* ceilings– you are not the child of warren buffet. He won’t ever ask you over for diner. But, I think they assume that what's holding them back are the successes of "undeserving" minorities like myself. These are the folks who *assume* I'm getting help from 'affirmative action'-- when, in fact, I had to work harder than they did to get to the same goddamed place.

Comments

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

This represents 18% of Americans who happen to be white, republican, over 45 and married. In other words, privileged.

[root-fu.livejournal.com]

Educated (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shockley) racists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_racism)?

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

I think they represent 100% of Americans who like to carry signs, dress up in 18th century clothing, enjoy listening to has-been politicians give speeches, like crowds of old people, and are waiting till dark so they can go home and watch Nancy Grace.

[light-over-me.livejournal.com]

While I disagree with the premise that the Tea Party is racist, I do agree that bigotry and racism can manifest at any education level...from the uneducated, right up to the social elite and intellectual. I think it is also something that can come, in part, from isolation and lack of experience with different racial and cultural groups. So you can have someone well educated and intelligent, but sheltered and ignorant. Conversely, you can have someone relatively poor and uneducated, but more culturally aware.

but what they can’t understand is WHY they aren’t millionaires yet

I wouldn't say the vast majority expect to ever become millionaires. Or think that minorities are the reasons holding them back from becoming millionaires--most recognize that is a lofty achievement few actually ever make in life. Or that they expect that the rewards for their hard work should be limitless.

The vast majority of these people are tax payers. What they would like, however, is to be able to keep more of what they do work hard for and earn, and to have more of a say in how that money is spent (versus the government deciding how it should be re-distributed). I think most of them would consider that this is good for any and all Americans across the board, no just themselves. At least, that is the impression I get.

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

...but I could be wrong. That's 100% with plus or minus 3%...

[zach-a1988.livejournal.com]

I think you are hitting the target. I don't see anymore bigotry, or racism in the Tea Party than anywhere else.

People are tired of the government sitting on their "throne" deciding what is best for the country. We elected people to be our voice, not to decide that our voices aren't worth hearing because we weren't elected to a position. I'd say I relate more to the Tea Party than to any other, not because I'm a white male, but rather because I'm someone who wants less government intervention. For real change to take place in this country, and for real results in equality the responsibility lies in each and every citizen to realize that we are all brothers and sisters in the human race under the American Flag. Our society will crumble if we keep pressing these divisions as hard as we are, and it doesn't help that we are so freely giving control of so much to out of touch politicians who sit upon thrones when what we should be electing are servants to the people.

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

Then how come so many of these 'out-of-touch' politicians keep getting reelected? Apparently the MAJORITY of voters in their districts feel like they are being well represented?

[stewstewstewdio.livejournal.com]

Actually, the article (I just read it), isn't talking about Tea Party activists at all. It was a poll of people that claim to sympathize with Tea Party ideals.

These are pretty much mainstream Republicans that were polled. These aren't the people that actually go to the marches, carry the signs, flock to Sarah Palin and form militias. They just want a forum to rage against the government and blame them for the state of the country.

It was also interesting that they oppose big government, but favor Social Security and Medicare, the 2 largest government social programs.

[ineedsleepy.livejournal.com]

wow, John Derbyshire is a douche :(

I personally don't think it has to do with them thinking they should be millionaires. I mean give johny a million dollars and I don't think he would change his opinion any time soon. Also I know some millionaires who are racist. I do think though that there is a tribalism mentality, and I do think they think they are better than most poor people, or maybe most people in general though.

[rev-proffessor.livejournal.com]

"What they would like, however, is to be able to keep more of what they do work hard for and earn, and to have more of a say in how that money is spent "

That is a very nice but totally ambiguous statement. What exactly do you propose to cut? Our taxes are at a historic low and there is a deficit to pay for? What do you cut? It's really easy to spout platitudes about sky high taxes but it's just not accurate. When it comes down to actual spending cuts, no one wants to give up anything.

[merig00.livejournal.com]

I know you live in NYC, come out to 8th Ave and 31st street today (between post office and madison square garden) 7 to 9pm and you can do your own survey of Tea Party movement.

[rev-proffessor.livejournal.com]

"because I'm someone who wants less government intervention. "

Where? Specifically where is the government intruding in your life? What is it you are being prevented from doing? Regulation? You would prefer unsafe and unregulated? Taxes? Don't like a modern infrastructure? If we are all brothers and sisters, why oppose taking care of each other?

Oh, right, that's socialism.

[rev-proffessor.livejournal.com]

And bring a body guard.

[rev-proffessor.livejournal.com]

Personally, I make a distinction between intentional and unintentional racism. I personally feel that the demographic of the Tea Party has a small percentage of intentional racist. The rest are unintentional racists, like my grand parents were when they were alive. What you have is the echos of the Regan Revolution, were labor was knee capped and there was a media blitz against "Welfare Queens" Somehow, all the welfare queens were black women with a lot of kids and organized labor were lazy people collecting big bucks for standing around.

If you are just sheltered and ignorant, you do not realize that you are racist but, you still are.

[light-over-me.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm only generalizing here. I can't speak for everyone.

What do you cut?

I think you're quite correct about the fact that you can't just cut and take government programs away--that doesn't work, and that is part of the issue. Creating new programs and expanding government spending on top of what we already have to deal with, though, is another matter.

[merig00.livejournal.com]

Don't worry the co-founder and biggest NYC Tea Party racist, homophobe and in general hater David Webb will protect her.

[rev-proffessor.livejournal.com]

Again, without specifics, you have said nothing. What new programs? Do you have a specific plan or just unfocused anxiety?

You can not fix these problems by generalizing. Specific actions must be taken. For example; reducing the budget for the Department of Defense, reducing the size of private defense contracts, putting off some questionable technologies, and closing some WWII era bases in Germany, Italy, Spain, England and France. We could cut our DoD budget by 10%, pay for everything, reduce the deficit, not raise taxes and not be the police officers for the whole world.

Not very specific but, I'm not a budget hawk.

[rev-proffessor.livejournal.com]

For that kind of protection, I usually look for Sicilians with crooked noses. Mi Familia.

[kinvore.livejournal.com]

As for their image as being dumb, well it's hard to consider someone who doesn't understand the definitions of "socialist" and "totalitarian" and yet use the terms ad naseum to be that smart.

[futurebird.livejournal.com]

I'm in class then. But, thanks for the invite. What is the local name of the group and do they have a website?

[futurebird.livejournal.com]

Are you saying a black guy could not be racist?

[futurebird.livejournal.com]

But, most people in the US don't know the difference liberal or conservative.

[futurebird.livejournal.com]

It's the Regan Revolution remix. Beware Obama will take your tax dollars and give it to poor lazy Mexicans and the Blacks...

Same story as ever.

[mikeyxw.livejournal.com]

I'll take a swing:

Raise the retirement age on a more aggressive schedule than what's being done now and to a higher number. People are living longer and healthier lives, which is good, we need to work more of it, which is reality.

Add tort reform to the "health care reform" package. Remove the guaranteed issue and community rating provisions, states with those provisions have much higher premiums than those who don't. Barring these changes, scrap it and start over.

Remove the limits on the number of doctors med schools can produce.

Close a bunch of the bases you mentioned. After we draw down from Iraq, cut the size of our military.

Start to phase out the tax break on home mortgage interest.

[mrbogey.livejournal.com]

My favorite variation on this is that foreigners all very very legitimate reasons for their actions and sometimes could arguably be justified in their anti-Western views. But Americans who oppose them are just ignorant redneck racist misogynists.