Jefferson, you comment above reflects how profoundly you misinterpret my comments on this forum, or perhaps what I poor job I do in communicating my perspective and goals (in serious discussions, as opposed to when we're kidding around).
In response to both your and Curtis's comment ... if you look closely at my posts throughout the years, you will see that my concerns are broad, but one major focus is my opposition to intolerance and bigotry. This concern is not limited to racial bigotry (though that is an important element) but beyond that to (of course) antisemitism, religious (or anti-religious) intolerance, political intolerance, and so on. A second goal is to try to be analytically precise. Which is why I try to raise questions challenging people's assumptions or presumptions. When we have discussed racial issues on the Forum, I've challenged what appear to me to be preconceptions, potential flaws in reasoning, or result-driven analyses that may do more harm than good (by providing detailed critiques of analyses provided in posted articles and so forth, often raising points that nobody had thought of or ... didn't want to think of). As another example, some have accused me of anti-Muslim prejudice, whereas in fact I have been very clear in only condemning the Jihadists and those who sympathize with them, but not all Muslims. When Reginald posted an article by a religious Muslim critical of stoning and stating that the Qur'an doesn't mandate stoning, I contacted the author directly, to get a better sense of exactly what his position is and where he is coming from, was impressed, and shared what I found with everyone.
Actually Curtis, I deal with issues surrounding prejudice frequently on Forum. As to racial prejudice and religious bigotry, I was quick to condemn Mark Williams, one of the "Tea Party" spokesmen, who was recently ejected from the Tea Party Federation, long before he was ejected. As another example, some time ago, when I heard Rush Limbaugh do a "skit" about President Obama that I found to be racially offensive, I shared that with everyone on the Forum (describing the incident and providing everyone the day and time that I heard the broadcast ... even though I sympathize with some of his Conservative positions, though I don't care for his demeanor one bit). At the same time, I've little tolerance for the practice of taking quotes out of context to fabricate "offensive" or "outlandish" material and also at times have pointed out double-standards and unwarranted generalizing (which is often politically driven). Thus, given the political slant on the Forum, I have pointed out the prejudice, preconceptions, and the like, originating from those on the Left, in fostering ethnic or racial division and hostility. I see prejudice coming from some on the Right and some on the Left. Though, as to the latter, it may be harder for you to see.
One reason why some of you may misunderstand where I am coming from is that when I condemn the statements from those on the Right that are offensive, nobody notices, because you all agree with me. When I point the finger at those on the Left, on the other hand, the reaction is quite different. And since most of you are on the Left, and most are in a rather constant "bash Conservatives" mode, when I challenge you, you think I am somehow challenging opposition to racism, bigotry and prejudice, when nothing could be further from the truth.
Because, more than anything, it is the unwarranted hate that bothers me. I don't care if it is coming from someone who is white or black, Democrat or Republican, American or foreign, Christian, Muslim, Jew or Secularist.
Another strain of thought you'll note in many of my posts is the viewing of men and women as individuals, advocating respect for the individual and the rights of the individual. As well as principles of individual responsibility and morality.
Finally Curtis, in stating that race is irrelevant (a mere accident of birth, of no real significance) I was stating a biological fact and my feelings on the subject. I was further stating my vision as to how things should be with regard to attitudes. I was not asserting a denial of the existence of racism, any more than I would deny the existence of antisemitism. However, I believe some folk on the Left, as well as some folk on the Right, do not share my vision as to how things should be, but rather are driven by other motivations (political, personal, plain prejudice and bias, you name it). I find this objectionable.
I really don't want to get into a re-hash of the specific matters we have discussed from hundreds of posts in the past, so I'll leave it at that. I do think it is worthwhile to note, however, that the main thrust of my first post on this thread was to lay out what I found to be offensive in Mark William's conduct, and also at the end of that post to express criticism of the propagation of racist stereotypes.
