News Sports Real Estate+ Editorials Blogs ARTS+ Features Calendar

Recent Blog Posts

How Mike Daisey Can Do More With Your Money

The Bullfight

Head to Head with the White House: New York's Stately Dinner for The New York City Ballet

Reader comment on:
Letter to the GOP
in response to reader comment: Republicans don't need blacks

Submitted by Mimi, Nov 21, 2006 17:28

I was reading the comments here, and I am struck by how easy it is to tell people that they should shake their precepetion.

Far be it from me to explain the obvious, but I don't spend my days thinking about ways to use my race as an excuse for myself. In fact, I'd rather spend my time thinking about other things. I am painfully reminded that this isn't reality.

You never will know your perception until it becomes your reality. Until you have to fight to get your children the same education that everyone else desires. Until you have 101 people tell you how "articulate" you are. Until you look at your paycheck that doesn't match your educational attainment, or your desire. Until you are pulled over for making an illegal U turn and asked were you drinking. Until you realize you are dispensable. I am tired. Tired of working twice as hard to prove I am half as good. Tired of prescriptive answers that say the solution is to be color blind, when in reality, we are just blind. Tired of being expected to make coffee with a degree.

And to those of you who think otherwise, I hope your reality never negates your perception.

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

" your party was hoping they would usher more black voters into pulling the lever for you, you were neglecting... [MORE]

Tyrone 

Nov 16, 2006 21:19

This article demands a respect than can only be commanded. For some, enough can never be done. [MORE]

Jacob Alling 

Nov 16, 2006 20:23

Prof. McWhorter, I am one GOP-leaning independent who appreciates the frankness of your article. Politics is definitely as much perception... [MORE]

Alan Wolfson 

Nov 16, 2006 19:06

Republicans never learn. They thought we would fall for their Manchurian candidates. If not for their insideous efforts to disenfranchise... [MORE]

Nat Turner 

Nov 18, 2006 00:10

Prof. McWhorter: As a retired Republican congressional campaign manager, who once managed hotly contested races in northern Indiana, western North Carolina,... [MORE]

Dirt Lawyer 

Nov 16, 2006 17:09

Fact--EVERY story of voter fraud has taken place in inner city Democrat minority election districts. Whether it was Lyndon Johnson's... [MORE]

David S. Levine 

Nov 16, 2006 22:44

I was a big fan of McWhorter but now I must ask myself who is dumber: Steele, Swann, et al... [MORE]

carl palm 

Nov 16, 2006 15:17

Republicans don't need to ask themselves what more they can do for blacks. Blacks need to start asking themselves why... [MORE]

Mike 

Nov 16, 2006 14:09

I was reading the comments here, and I am struck by how easy it is to tell people that they...

Mimi 

Nov 21, 2006 17:28

Before any republican should devise legislation (dare I say pander) to the "black vote" they should receive more than 10%... [MORE]

John Koorey 

Nov 16, 2006 14:02

I guess the man knows what he's talking about. The only thing for sure is the pubs won't listen!! Route 66 [MORE]

Route 66 

Nov 16, 2006 13:36

Dear Dr. Mcwhorter, I suspect you are aware of the fact that you have a very wide and appreciative audience... [MORE]

Robert Mandel 

Nov 16, 2006 13:33

This article continues to propogate the notion that somehow when Democrats lose an election, it was because of the racist... [MORE]

Joe Money 

Nov 16, 2006 11:04

Well, buddy, it almost seems that you are perpetuating a unproven allegation as fact when it's far from it, not... [MORE]

Leo 

Nov 16, 2006 15:35

Leo, I don't think you understood what McWhorter was trying to say. Worse than that, however, is that you thought you... [MORE]

Ben 

Nov 16, 2006 19:07

After reading your letter to the GOP I thought I was back in the 50's and 60's. When is the... [MORE]

Bill Dockery 

Nov 16, 2006 06:59

Prof. McWhorter fails to mention that in Ohio, all county election boards are bipartisan. Is he suggesting that the Dem... [MORE]

C.S. 

Nov 16, 2006 21:11

Comment on Letter to the GOP

    Before submitting your comment, please provide a valid email address to complete the verification process.

    © 2002-2009 TWO SL LLC, New York, NY. All rights reserved.
    Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.