True Face
By New Orleans seems to be drawing the racist right out of its hole. In good times, the right can manage a cosmetic effort to obscure the racial element of its program. They can ignore the fact that American conservatism has historically been tightly bound to an ideology of white superiority, or at least convince themselves that it is no longer so bound. At times, even I have wondered if conservatives had finally managed the trick of “making gay the new black” and setting forth on a program of exclusion that has the merit, at least, of being different.
But when something like Katrina happens, they scurry back home. Is Dear Leader the problem? No, can’t be, must be the blacks. Are budget cuts to areas critical for good governance the problem? No, can’t be, must be the blacks. Is the stocking of major relief agencies with inept political appointees the problem? No, can’t be, must be the blacks. And the problem of the blacks can be solved by just shooting a few looters. . .
David Neiwert has all the ugly details. Wade in at your own risk.