First of all congratulations for daring to step out of the media safety zone! I agree, the big issue in our country is and has been race. I'll give a couple personal examples. I took my bi-racial grandson who was about six then to a flea market. We were leafing through a pile of old books when the dealer suddenly shouted: 'Those aren't for sale!' They were. He was an obvious racist. Another story: Commenting about my sore knee to a friend, she advised I better not vote for 'Obama-care' then. Puzzled, I asked why. "They'll be rationing care and people like us will be last in line," she told me. Trust me she is a nice lady. I realized something then, she doesn't trust the Presidents policies. They are good for 'others.' He is one of 'the other.' Yes, she is a Republican.( Not to say there aren't other reasons people are Republicans.) Anyway, it used to baffle me why making what ended up to be only a few tweaks to our messed up health care system could bring forth so much vehement opposition. Now I understand. Growing up in the 50's and 60's I do see improvement though. And still on a personal note, no one needs to be afraid of my grandson. He's a cream puff.

As a 'mutt': born from a back ground of black, white, and everything in between, the 'race' dialogue in America has always had me very uncomfortable but at the same time, thankful for when it is opened on equal terms, equal terms meaning that everyone has a say, not just 'white' Anglo Americans, but those of us from diverse ethnic backgrounds. It is a big step in the right direction when we can discuss our tribulations, how discrimination, racism, prejudice effect our lives. when we can gather together without a political party in mind and acknowledge that the quality of life needs to improve in the country. On a similar yet different note: I have dual citizenship, and in my home land, there is also some serious racism going on, to the point of not only ethnic cleansing, but war zones, where missiles and rockets are fired on civilians....makes what happens in America seem like something that CAN be over come! We CAN get past this, I believe, it's just going to take a lot of effort, honesty and risks.

So what you suggest is racial McCarthyism. Blackmail them until they they do what you think is best?
"These are not trees. This is a forest now. And it is on fire. Help put it out." You aren't anywhere near trying to put out the fire, you're stoking it.

Racism is like ghost hunting. If you are looking for it you will find it regardless. But then again racism is also like sexual harassment. It has nothing to do with the intent of the words or actions you use but all to do with the manner in which they are interpreted. Maybe we can all interpret this quote: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man." –Joe Biden, referring to Barack. He's clean, as apposed to what Mr. Vice-President and Democrat Joe Biden? Maybe we can sit Debbie Wasserman Schultz on that platform too? Maybe we should ask our own president how he would place such an obvious racist on the presidential ticket with himself? Maybe we should ask Jessie Jackson and Al Shaprton why they refuse to be vocal about obvious racial violence on whites and Hispanics and Muslims and Jews and... and... and. And nothing. The race issue will not go away because the racial debate will always be one-sided. You want an honest debate get those people to answer those questions first. But be careful you will be labelled a racist just for asking.

Amazing insight and on point!!!

Every person alive has racist thoughts at some point. No doubt about it. I don't dislike Obama's presidency because he's black, however; I dislike his presidency because of the systematic destruction he is causing. It is intentional and irreversible if not stopped. To say that someone like Joe Wilson or Jan Brewer is racist because of what they said is simply irresponsible and, as someone else noted in a comment, "stoking" the topic. It is offensive, I'm afire and irresponsible to call any one a racist because they disagree with anyone of any color. Obama disagrees with my views on taxes. I could no more fairly claim racism on his part than your claims make. Both are wrong and only further inflame the situation. These false claims of racism have to stop I'd we are ever going to have intelligent discussion on how to fix the big problems we face.

My IPad changed a word to "afire". Should say it's immature and irresponsible.

I'd should be if. Hate the way Apple products do that.

Mr. Giusto, in his speculation on whether various Caucasians are 'racists, left out any similar examples of racism from the likes of Reverend Wright, Farrakhan, or Najee Muhammad and so forth. From his essay, it would seem that racism is a one sided condition, afflicting only 'whites'. But at least he qualifies his musings with 'I don't know'.

It is, however, specious to label a person or group 'racist' when they disagree in principle with someone's political philosophy which happens to be antipodal to their own.

How do you account for people such as Charles Pierce, Lloyd Marcus, Alan Keyes, Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, Star Parker, Shelby Steele, Herman Cain and so forth, who happen to embrace conservative values? They do not embrace our president's political philosophy. How should we label them?

Give me a break. First of all, George Zimmerman is Hispanic. Second, the shooting was as he was defending himself. Thank God we can still bear arms in this country. Third, Obama's comment that "Trayvon could be his son" did nothing but make this into a racist issue. IT IS AN ISSUE WITH KIDS TODAY - black, white, Hispanic, etc - too many thugs. Did the media happen to go national with the white guy 6 miles away being drug out of his car and beat within an inch of his life by 2 black males? I think not. Patch - come on - please don't post this nonsense. You are lighting fires where there don't need to be any. And I suppose no one made fun of Bush either - right?

Here's my take: all whites are somewhat racist and all blacks are somewhat racist... and you can pick any color or group you want. Everyone is a little bit. Do they act on it? For the most part NO. It is simply wrong to treat a human being different because they look different. People cant help their FEELINGS but they can sure help they way they behave.

I think writers and bloggers pull the race card article for self recognition.
Racism canNOT be fixed unless we are all blinded. The best we can do is NOT treat people different, correct our OWN thoughts and have laws in place to ensure that no one gets away with hurting someone else.

Before I get to what I really want to say let me tell you what Social Science teaches us. A denigrated group is not, can not be racists to the group that is maligning them by definition. The sought upon group can be militant, can show overt hostility and be totally recalcitrant but are not racists. Reverse racism by definition is no racism. So when the put upon group cries racism by definition it is. The bully group that cries racism in return is perpetuating racism.

In the 50’s (blacks were being lynched in the south for being black) I was in a half white half black Champaign, IL grade school. I am the least prejudice liberal WASP there is. And yet I fall into perpetuating prejudice with out even knowing it. For years I used the expression; “keep your cotton picking hands off that …” Into my 50’s I still used that boyhood cliché. Then one day I said it to a black friend and saw his expression. I realized, for the first time, OOPS! I never said it again. That is a racist’s statement. And being called on it was not racist.

I don't feel the Republican Party has judged our current President based on the color of his skin, as you so state in your article. I do, however, feel that they have judged him based on his performance during the past 4 years. You can't attach racism to broken promises...

Yes, I will agree that there is some residual racism in most of us. We are all a product of our upbringing, and many of us have had to "unlearn" or ignore some of the bad examples that the adults of our youth displayed. And, to this day, many of us live where we do based on carefully hidden racial reasons. And, yes, there is blatant racism on both sides. The very term "African-American" is racist in itself, and offensive to many, including me. Racism exists. All we can do is continue to resist subscribing to it.

Puts me in mind of this song from the Broadway show "Avenue Q": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RovF1zsDoeM

why cant we all just get along?!

I was born in america and look at myself and all others who live here as americans ...that being said I think everyone in america has a little racism in them against another race at one time or another against someone of a different skin color (and before some of you jump up on your high horse denying you ever uttered a racist remark) ... who among us wants to step foward and claim they never ever told a joke about another person of a different skin color before ..never ever even once

....and racism knows no political boundaries.

None of the examples you give prove your case, i.e. why and how is Joe Wilson yelling "You lie." at a President who lied, racist? It was inappropriate at a State of The Union but so was the President dressing down the Supreme Court whil they were in the audience of the 2010 State of The Union on the Citizen's United case. Facts are a stubborn thing and the fact is that the Democrat party has had a much more racist past than the Republican party. The KKK were Democrats whose goal was to keep blacks from voting because up until the 1930s 90% of blacks voted for Republicans. The Civil rights act of 1964 passed because of Republican votes, the Democrats lead by Al Gore Sr. tried to fillibuster the bill. Also you mention Jackie Robinson who was a Republican and was publicly called an "Uncle Tom" by Democrats of the day. Even toda, the Liberal Democrat policy has destroyed the black family and any black who dares wonder off the reservation, like Clarence Thomas, et. al. are given a proper media lynching.

Tim,
What do you believe I meant by hostility and militant? And where did I condone hostility and militant? From what source did you get that a denigrated group fighting back is racism? From you statements it seems that you have not studied in the field of Social Science. Also it seems you read my posts too quickly or enough lack of knowledge that it’s hard to grasp what I am saying. The latter is my fault. I believe I will post some Social Science facts maybe that will help.

Drewgaf:

Racism is alive and well. Instead of 1850 hangings we have 2012 shootings.

Remember, Tom, the New York times invented the new category of White Hispanic in this case just to fit the left's template that everything is racially motivated. I guess the fact that 45% of all murders in the U.S. are young black males isn't a problem for the left unless they can somehow blame it on whites. Let's not forget that three major networks deliberately doctored audio and video evidence to advance the theory that this was a racial event. Then when they were caught, after having fanned the flames of hatred, they said it was an accident. Also let's not forget the fact that for the second time, the Attorney General of the United States chose to look the other way when a serious crime was committed by the New Black Panthers. How can anyone defend this administration?

You're an American, or you're not. What is an Irish-American anyway ? Just another way to proclaim allegiance to something other than America. African-American is offensive in that it serves only to emphasize differences between races.

I am a proud Conservative Republican and I am disgusted by rascisim... I am both female and white. I do NOT support miltant Feminism, becasue I support people for who they are not because of their gender. I support Capitalism( if you need a lesson on it I have an husband who is a great entreprenuer who can give you a well thought out explaination on it, he too is a professor) :0)
I also hate it when people use Racism as a weapon for a reason they cannot achieve something. We have to accept people for who they are not the color of their skin. I question people because of ACTIONS not because of skin color. I really try to put myself in another's shoes and see things from their perspective, something I know most people do not do. Please stop painting the Republican party as a problem, I do not think ALL Democrats are a certain way. That is ALL or NOTHING thinking and it does not work.
We are in a very difficult period in this country and too many loose cannons can upset things. We need a calm and rational dialogue. We also need a balance. There are always two sides to everything. Why should the color of our skin matter?

My opinion stands. As much as you may want to believe in the philosophy that hyphenating is acceptable with regard to "American", I do not. No one is going to refer to Charlize Theron as "African-American" even though she was born in South Africa because currently the term denotes blacks. Only. If one wishes to proclaim "heritage", fine. If you are of Irish heritage, why is it necessary to state that fact by placing it in front of American ? Your heritage is Irish, not Irish-American, correct ?

Racism does exist in America today....
I suggest to you that it is far more prevalent in the White House than most places...
Race relations have never been worse than under this President.
Please apply the same "critical thinking" to the POTUS

I find Patrick's comment about "not understanding capitalism", as well as being a teacher, quite disturbing. Educating on youth while failing to appreciate the economic system, that despite it flaws, has easily elevated more people from poverty than ANY other system, is criminal. Perhaps he should stick to humour...he is not qualified, by his own admission, to discuss other topics.

Tim, my point is this: At the present time, the term "African-American" is used solely as reference to color. I understand your other analogies, but not one person would refer to someone like Charlize Theron as "African-American". And, come on, there's not a Canadian that refers to themselves as an American. My objection to the term as currently used to define race still stands. I think you got my point all along. Do you refer to your RACE as "Irish-American" ? Of course not.

My apologies for the duplication in posts. My early post didn't appear for several hours, and I thought I had neglected to "submit".

America has it's own special brand of racism, to be sure. And I think very few can actually pin point what that is. With a country dubbed 'the melting pot', the image of racist I think, would align itself with characteristic American values and ethics. Would anyone here say that American racism is different that South African racism? Nigerian? Indian? Middle Eastern? In my opinion it takes on a different shape, a unique dialogue that suits it's foundations, it's own troubled and cursed history.

I haven't seen anyone anywhere point out that maybe Trayvon attacked Zimmerman because he was Hispanic. Maybe that's what started this whole thing...

No one but George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin knows exactly what happened that night. What we do know is facts about the aftermath.
1) CBS, NBC and CNN all deliberately doctored or misrepresented evidence from the event to make it appear that race played a part in the shooting.
2) The new black panthers broke state and Federal laws when they solicited kidnapping and murder with the bounty that they placed on George Zimmerman.
3) The President, or any other leader on the left, didn't critisize the new black panthers and the Attorney General did not bring charges against them.
4) The news media is guilty of portraying Trayvon as a child by only using pictures of him from when he was 12 and 13 years old. He was in fact a 6 foot 2 inch athletic youth on the cusp of manhood.
I think it is despicable that the left in this country tries to gain politically from tragedy, even as to go so far as to fabricate their own set of facts that fits their template.

Mr. Kelly,
which of the four points presented by Mr. Koch are opinion? I have seen news articles supporting every one of them as fact.

Okay. I'll play along with wingnut talking points.

"CBS, NBC and CNN all deliberately doctored or misrepresented evidence from the event to make it appear that race played a part in the shooting."
"Deliberately doctored" is an opinion. The 9-1-1 call in question was EDITED, not doctored (no, not the same) If the uneducated wingnuts on the right want an example of "doctored" audio, they need to look no further than the person they're regurgitating: Rush.
People can decide if race is a factor based on Zimmerman's very-own language.

"The new black panthers broke state and Federal laws when they solicited kidnapping and murder with the bounty that they placed on George Zimmerman."

Actually, their so-called "bounty" is for the capture. Murder & kidnapping were not used that I've seen. The NPBB are irrelevant and, again, a regurgitated talking point from the uneducated right-wingers (like Hannity) who need something to whine about to cater to their dummy demographic.

"The President, or any other leader on the left, didn't critisize the new black panthers and the Attorney General did not bring charges against them."

Actually, many on the left have criticized them. But since the wingnuts are only interested in spewing what they've been fed, this is what they believe (sorta like how they believe they know what they're talking about or anything about the law). How about LEARNING the laws before criticizing someone for allegedly not upholding them. Why should the Pres. give this group the time of day? Oh, because he's a Dem and the ever-growing uneducated right-wing faction need something to whine about. But, hey, keep giving this group the attention.

"The news media is guilty of portraying Trayvon as a child by only using pictures of him from when he was 12 and 13 years old.
Opinion. Uhh..17 IS a child. His build doesn't change the fact he was a child. At first, those were the pics that were made available. Plenty of other pics have been used. But, again, this is an "issue" with the dummy demo on the right because they're being told this is an issue.
Because, as they continue to prove, they're too damn lazy/uneducated to actually think for themselves. So, they come on the internet and rehash what they heard (and spare me the BS it's not because I watch/listen to Hannity & Rush & know what they say).
So, people can sell their partisan crap to the morons who'll suck it up (market is plentiful there). I'll call it out!

Mr. Kelly,
"Actually, many on the left have criticized them. " Many journalists and pundits have but not President Obama or any leaders on the Left and there are still no arrests pending for members of the NBPP.
"Uhh..17 IS a child" is correct, but disingenuous. A 17 yr. old "child" is much closer to adult than to the child they were at 12-13.
Finally, "people can sell their partisan crap to the morons who'll suck it up", like you. To borrow your favorite term, who's the DQ here?

I tell you what, this conversation has devolved so much I'm afraid to even post something of relevance.

Thanks for such a candid, intelligent, honest post. Like it or not, this is reality in America. Great article, Patrick!

Because of emotion...we all have injected our emotions and our agendas and bias,regardless into this.
I would hope truth would triumph, but the politica of the day would convict a potentially innocent man to suppress the emotions of the mob...one life for the greater good, despite the.stupidity or reality..

I realize my blogs tend to create a lot of controversy; but I'm privy to read the more insulting comments that get deleted from the posting, and I'm a little shocked at how mean-spirited some people are sometimes. So, here's a couple of thoughts I've had to try and get the discussion back on track:

1) For those comments directed at me, try and re-read the blog with a slightly more objective tone. I never explicitly said the Republicans were a party of racists. I made that a distinct point. And as far as my implications, I tried to punctuate them with a lot of "I don't knows," "ifs," and "maybes." In fact, I said we do not need accusations.
2) However, I am not the first person to suggest that a pattern is emerging within the GOP. Bill Cosby was on CNN today making almost identical points.
3) I did not, actually, start the racism debate. That was a joke-throwback to a previous satire I wrote on abortion. I didn't "start the fire." It's been always burning, since the world's been turning.
4) Speaking of jokes, that whole "I'm a teacher, I don't understand capitalism" thing? That's a joke, too. You know, because we don't get paid a lot? Get it! Slap a knee, everybody.
5) I'm not calling for a McCarthy-esque Congressional Hearing on Racism in the Republican Party. I'm calling for an extended media discussion. We all know Congress is too busy debating steroids in baseball and whether or not college football should have a playoff system.

People must drop the misconception that racism is a democrat or republican issue...racism comes from ALL walks of life....people have their own agendas in life or that affects their wallets, I am a struggling, anti racist republican. I dispise any abuses.

I have light skin. I do not look upon myself as a white man. I look upon myself as a man. If people started looking upon themselves as simply man or woman without the skin color baloney, this country would be far better off. A good man/woman is a good man/woman no matter the pigment in his/her skin. A louse is a louse no matter the pigment in his/her skin. A thug is a thug no matter pigment in his/her skin.

I really resent people who state that all people with my pigment have racism in them. You know not of what you speak.