I would liken the 'not born in the US conspiracy theory' argument on the same level of the overtly racist signs in the sense that they are in a small minority, nor if one pays attention to what is being said, can it be said that it's part of the foundation of the opposition the movement represents. Largely, it's just a demand for smaller government, recognition of individual liberty, and the like.
As someone who has been involved with the tea parties to some extent, not just by showing up to a couple of rallies (the small, local one was actually much better than the larger one held at the state capitol - I guess being as small a town as we are doesn't have as much appeal to the crazies, but if you're out to get attention for yourself, then small ain't where its at) but also having gone to some organizing meetings I can say while there was upset, the presentation given was more like an economics class in terms of slides shown and the like, and it was also brought up how much we can't let the conversation get shifted to birthers, or crazies.
I also wouldn't characterize opposition to welfare as necessarily being one of race either. I mean, the derogatory term "white trash" kinda overlaps with "welfare queen' in several areas.
By all means, point out the racists, but also point out just how representative or not they are in proportion to the whole. Hell, I and others who have been involved know how much media scrutiny we're under and how much we've got to keep our noses clean by distancing ourselves from that element. The most dispiriting part is seeing that element circled, highlighted and underscored by the media - without much of an effort to talk to many of the sane people who are there.
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Date: 18/4/10 04:18 (UTC)As someone who has been involved with the tea parties to some extent, not just by showing up to a couple of rallies (the small, local one was actually much better than the larger one held at the state capitol - I guess being as small a town as we are doesn't have as much appeal to the crazies, but if you're out to get attention for yourself, then small ain't where its at) but also having gone to some organizing meetings I can say while there was upset, the presentation given was more like an economics class in terms of slides shown and the like, and it was also brought up how much we can't let the conversation get shifted to birthers, or crazies.
I also wouldn't characterize opposition to welfare as necessarily being one of race either. I mean, the derogatory term "white trash" kinda overlaps with "welfare queen' in several areas.
By all means, point out the racists, but also point out just how representative or not they are in proportion to the whole. Hell, I and others who have been involved know how much media scrutiny we're under and how much we've got to keep our noses clean by distancing ourselves from that element. The most dispiriting part is seeing that element circled, highlighted and underscored by the media - without much of an effort to talk to many of the sane people who are there.