A Bigot is a Bigot, is a Bigot!

        A direct quote from Iowa Congressional Representative, Steve King, who is quick to point out that he’s “not a racist.”

        “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” King asked. “Why did I sit in classes teaching me about the merits of our history and our civilization?”

       The statement above is damning in what it doesn’t say but implies at the threshold of pain. First, ignore the words “Western civilization,” because you can bet your ass King knows little or nothing about those actual Western (as in North and Central   American) civilizations of brown persons who invented complex calendars and the math to do the calculations their use required long before first European contact. Of course, if he had taken “Eastern Civ.”, he’d have learned the same about Indians and Arabs who developed complex math while Europe (King’s idea of “Western) was in the Medieval period.

        I would assume that when Mr. King uses the words “White supremacist” he likewise excludes the yellow and brown peoples of the earth, at least the ones who are our doctors and ivy league honor students? I suspect that having stepped on his own male apparatus (only figuratively, I’m pretty sure) he has assumed that he can limit his racial bias to Black persons, which is more than likely who he really intended to insult in the first place, although as a “Wall supporter” he’s probably lumping in most Hispanics as well.

        For Mr. King’s edification, “White supremacist” is, or should be, offensive to any person of conscience, and should be absolutely abhorrent to any who call themselves Christians (but sadly for too many of those it is a way of life.) The term is rooted by its devotees in the belief that one race (or pigmentation group if you will) of human beings is “better (what else could “Supreme” imply? Well, ok, other than Diana, Florence, and Mary?) than others. Of course this flies directly in the face of what matrilineal mitochondrial DNA tells us which is we all come from the same source population group/region (close your ears, Steve) – Africa, you bigoted jackass.

        Sadly, this assumption has been used since the Portuguese invented plantation slave driven agriculture in the Madeira islands in the 15^th century. There has been slavery since there have been humans, but this “new” slavery was based on the relegation of one group to that status simply on racial grounds. Sadly, it was also endorsed by the Church.   As sugar became a gold mine crop on Caribbean islands like Barbados, sadly, it spread to the colonies and the Caribbean basin. The fostering of that belief of “natural superiority” was used by the wealthy in the American South to keep poor whites (“clay eaters,” look it up) convinced regardless of a plethora of contradictory indicators, that Blacks were their enemy, socially and economically. This continued throughout the Jim Crow era, following Emancipation and for the precise same reasons – the “divide and conquer” attitude of the richest whites. A look at a who is on the “front lines” at a place like Charlottesville generally reveals white males who, if your daughter ever brought one to the house, you’d shoot on sight. Under educated and under employed because of it, they find some other-worldly sort of solace in someone, anyone, telling them that the black man is their enemy and that they (the Caucasian) are “naturally” superior. This sort of brain washing is, sadly, all too effective with these marginalized whites. Sadly, this marginalization for them is very often simply a self-inflicted wound.  The other and even darker side of the White supremacist tragedy is that the Steve Bannons, David Dukes and Donald Trumps who incite are almost never seen as participants, while tacitly and subtly lending their encouragement and blessings in some cases. (“Good people on both sides”- Trump re: Charlottesville). Make no mistake, this works elsewhere as well. Think Nigel Farage and UKIP.

       Now, to the real issue for people like Steve King, who, as an Iowan, doesn’t exactly live in a highly integrated society himself. There seems to be the unstated but tacit fear among (too) many whites, mostly male, and most of who are probably not even fully aware that they feel this way, that they will, if the playing field is equal, lose the advantage their skin pigment still gives them today. Why mostly male? Because women are already aware of what second class citizenship feels like. Call it White entitlement, White privilege, and more to the point and I say this to persons of all colors, call it (increasingly) somewhat more symbolic than material. Why say that last? Because as major corporations become more cognizant of the contributions of persons of color (and they are) and looking at the number of work visas being issued to foreign workers of color (about 1% of the entire labor force and growing and concentrated in tech and scientific fields) it is increasingly rare to see only white faces in better paying jobs. I also say it because we sometimes see young people of color who are not, personally or directly, disadvantaged by White privilege, yet believing that it is responsible for things which may not be related to it in any way. (I am referring to extremist statements such as that of the USC professor who said “the ability to do higher math” was White Privilege.  What better reason for not trying or giving up? I wanted to mail her a ticket to see “Hidden Figures.”

         Sadly, for many of the rank and file of the white supremacist bent, they are not candidates for those positions because they have failed to take advantage of  the education offered them, or even sadder, have been taught by racist parents to be exactly what they are, hate filled chronic under achievers who are eager to believe that pigment can make them superior. Charleston church mass murderer, Dylann Roof, is a prime example.

        So, Mr. King, I’d recommend a little reality check. Boogie on over to the Supreme court and tell Justice Sotomayor, of your superiority, then go to the Senate and tell Senator Booker the same thing. If you still have teeth, give the last POTUS a call and plead your case. No? Didn’t think so.