Okay.
Let's have a discussion on "race". . . I'll start.
First, for purposes of clarity I am a black woman.
And second, I am not talking about "race" within the country as a whole, I am talking about "race" as it is often used here at Daily Kos.
Here is a list of the problems that I have with many of the race "discussions" that occur on this site.
1. Folks are constantly saying that they are being accused of "racism", even if you do not accuse them of racism.
2. Folks are constantly saying that the reason I support the President is because he is black, even though they have nothing to base this on other than the fact that I am black.
3. Folks are constantly saying that the President's race has nothing to do with their criticism of him, but I can't help but notice that no matter what the President does, it is never quite good enough. Did I miss the ticker tape parade for the repeal of DADT? Guess I did.
4. Folks are constantly telling me that even though they aren't black and they have not experienced what I have experienced, it doesn't matter, because their experience trumps mine. Any ideas to the contrary represents "whining" or "excuses" on my part.
5. Folks here feel like if you point out that they are white, and therefore experience life differently than many minorities, that is equivalent to calling them a racist.
6. Folks here feel that if the President cannot magically make votes materialize for things that have never had votes magically materialize before, then he is a failure. The only solution is to resurrect one of the great (often dead) white President's of the past.
7. Folks here feel that if you are making a point about the double standards in place here at Daily Kos, you need to do so in a nice and respectful manner, unless you are white progressive, then you can be as hateful as you want. Then it is about "policy".
8. Folks here feel that you need their "permission" to express how you feel about the things they do and say. If you don't say things "just so", and in a grammatically pleasing way, they will proceed to proofread your diary instead of attempt to get the substance.
9. Folks will ignore the majority of what you say in an attempt to point out that they personally are the exception. No matter that the site is filled with hateful, racially tinged vitriol daily, they personally didn't do it, so you should not paint with a "broad brush", i.e. they never owned any slaves.
10. And of course, if all else fails, use the word "strawman". That'll show 'em. (This is not racial, but it bugs me, so I guess some things are not about race, eh?)
Now of course, since I have now been labeled as a troll by all the good upstanding white posters here who felt offended that I had the temerity to address a diary to White Progressives yesterday, this will probably not turn into an enlighted race conversation.
Many will see my name and just fire off a pot shot for good measure. But I have said my peace. I am not trying to stir up trouble in this most peaceful and harmonious of sites. (lol) I am not trying to convince anyone to support the President (so no need to point out that this is not helping the President).
I am simply giving my perspective as a reader who happens to be black (and female) here at Daily Kos. And I intend to keep on doing that.