On Fox & Friends, Glenn Beck said President Obama has "a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture. ... this guy is, I believe, a racist." I've been seeing this more and more. Discussing racism is considered "racist"-- I guess it's another attempt to shout down the conversation. But, I wanted to ask: what is "white culture" and what about "white culture" does Glenn Beck think Obama dislikes?
"White culture" strikes me as a problematic term. In fact, "black culture" is also problematic, but not totally meaningless. The problem stems from the diversity found within broad categories like race. I'm honestly having a hard time thinking of what "White culture" could mean. Perhaps the collected traditions of European immigrants religious and social values unique to white people? That makes sense! So, we're talking about St. Patrick's day*, the Amish, Oktoberfest ... things like that? This is what Obama hates? Somehow I don't think that was what Glen had in mind.
I think Glen was thinking of things like Apple Pie, Baseball and 4th of July fireworks and flags. But those things are not "white" -- they are American. Recently, Pat Buchanan said "White Men Built This Country" but he is wrong. This country has been a multicultural effort (rife with multicultural conflict) from the very beginning. Glen Beck's notion of "white culture" reminds me of this view of America. It is a view that excludes non-whites as creators of culture and actors in history.
I mean unless he really was talking about Obamas horrible anti-Oktoberfest bias.
* Yes, I know there are non-white Irish-Americans, and Oktoberfest fans...