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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[debergerac.livejournal.com]

I have no idea why so many liberals have it in their heads the teabaggers are simply “rednecks” or “white trash

cuz that's how they've been portrayed by the media.

[anyusa0030.livejournal.com]

i think they recognize that they benefited from white privillage, they probably grew up at atime when being white and male meant something when you went for job or college interview but more and more this qualification does not carry waight anymore this is why they are threatened.

[sealwhiskers.livejournal.com]

You bring up some very interesting points, which I agree on. I went to a tea party rally just today and took some pictures and talked to people, it was interesting (although didn't really bring anything new to my analysis of the movement). I might make a post on it in some days..I just fear the sanity of my mailbox and my limited time.

We focus on the violent ones.

[sophia-sadek.livejournal.com]

The rich Tea Partiers are not as frightening as their less educated, more rabid coreligionists. The ones with the pitchforks and torches standing outside the house at night are the ones most people fear. Sure, the rich ones will fund them and point them to the right address, but they will not be there when the riot happens.

J'accuse!

[reality-hammer.livejournal.com]

when people witness the absurdity, the bigotry, the racism, homophobia

Speaking of being a "witness"...when do we get to see some video of the alleged infractions?

I've seen dozens of videos filmed of these crowds and I've seen none of the alleged transgressions.

Perhaps you should get Michael Moore to film a rent-a-mob in drag?

[lordtwinkie.livejournal.com]

god damn it you are right fucking white people

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

The idea that educated people can’t be racist is one of the great lies we have in this country

This is true. Educated liberals can be just as racist.

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

I don't know where you're getting this idea from. That isn't really even on the radar of being a concern.

The American Dream is not that you can be a millionaire through hard work. It's only that you can be successful and be better off than when you came here. Most people don't care about being rich, they just want to be comfortable.

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.

This bit is just full of faulty assumptions.

See actual research

[spearle.livejournal.com]

Consider the findings of the Snyderman & Rothman survey of 661 members of the American Education Research Association, the National Council on Measurement in Education, the American Psychological Association, the American Sociological Association, the Behavior Genetics Association, and the Cognitive Science Society:

"Respondents were asked to express their opinion of the role of genetic differences in the black-white IQ differential. Forty-five percent believe the difference to be a product of both genetic and environmental variation, compared to only 15% who feel the difference is entirely due to environmental variation. Twenty-four percent of experts do not believe there are sufficient data to support any reasonable opinion, and 14% did not respond to the question. Eight experts (1%) indicate a belief in an entirely genetic determination.[4]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snyderman_and_Rothman_(study)

Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 11, 235-294.
http://www.udel.edu/educ/gottfredson/30years/Rushton-Jensen30years.pdf

(2009). Whole-brain size and general mental ability: A review. International Journal of Neuroscience, 119, 691-731.

http://psychology.uwo.ca/faculty/rushtonpdfs/2009%20IJN.pdf