Five little words — "I forgot he was black" — have exposed a contradiction in the idea of a post-racial nation.
The comment came from MSNBC host Chris Matthews after President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech on Wednesday. "He is post-racial, by all appearances," the liberal host said on the air.
"I forgot he was black tonight for an hour. You know, he's gone a long way to become a leader of this country, and past so much history, in just a year or two. I mean, it's something we don't even think about."
Matthews meant it as praise, but it caused a rapid furor, with many calling the quote a troubling sign that blackness is viewed as a handicap that still needs to be overcome. But his comments instantly exploded online, especially on Twitter. Ninety minutes later, he clarified his comments on the air.
Friday, January 29, 2010
TV host's 'black Obama' praise backfires, stirs row
Never forget that it's the left that insists on emphasizing racial distinction. The right would embrace racial neutrality in this country. Unfortunately, racial neutrality negates the demagouguery of victimhood.
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