Is the political ad against Representative Allen West racist? West says "yes"; the NAACP says "no."
Well; which is it?
Put me down for "not racist."
Here's what the NAACP had to say:
The NAACP’s Hilary O. Shelton responded, telling The Huffington Post the organization disagreed with the congressman’s assessment.
“It looks like a traditional, political, partisan commercial,” Shelton said. “The ad has him looking very well groomed, a serious look on his face and he’s wearing a suit. The only thing superimposed is a boxing glove as a symbolic analysis of his policies being inconsistent with the values of retirees, women and African-American families.
“I don’t see the symbolism in any way ingrained in stereotypes, whether it’s race or gender or ethnicity.”
Of course, I don't agree that West's policies are "inconsistent with the values of retirees, women and African-American families." But - that is a distinct issue from the ad being racist.
When conservatives produce similar ads being critical of President Obama, I've maintained that they are "traditional, political, partisan commercials." This is the same.
Either you have philosophical consistency and honesty - or not. I try to strive for the latter!
Peg- watch the ad and you may change your opinion. Boxing gloves, gold tooth, punching older white people, taking cash from a family.
Posted by: nick ohnell | Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 03:14 PM
Nick, I did watch the ad.
Could this ad have been made if West were a white guy? Sure. Call it crass, call it incorrect and insulting and I would agree with you. But, I can imagine Democrats making a similar ad with a non-black politician.
Democrats claim that almost any ad attacking Obama is racist - and - I don't want to fall into the same camp.
Posted by: Peg | Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 05:38 PM