November 21, 2009

'Post-Racial' Myth

Liberals are always talking about a post-racial America, but when it comes to their actions, i.e. nominating Justice Sotomayor, they don't seem very interested in actually getting beyond race and identity politics. The Wall Street Journal documents the latest example in today's editorial.
Mr. Davis was the only black Member to oppose the legislation, and his vote earned him a rebuke from Jesse Jackson at a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation reception Wednesday night. "We even have blacks voting against the health-care bill," said Mr. Jackson. "You can't vote against health care and call yourself a black man." ...

Liberals insist that America still isn't "post-racial," notwithstanding the election of President Obama. But when a politician's skin color is gratuitously invoked in a debate about whether the government should have more control of health care, you have to wonder if the political left has any serious interest in a color-blind society. Former President Jimmy Carter suggests that whites who oppose the President's policies are racists; Mr. Jackson says blacks who oppose them are betraying their race.

Even in the age of a black President, too many liberals still believe they have more to gain from identity politics than from a post-racial America.
It brings to mind the old adage: do as I say, not as I do.