THE TEA PARTY IS RACIST

Calling someone a racist is never a good way to start a civil conversation. But then, acting like a racist is no way to have a civil conversation. So when a resolution passed earlier this week at the NAACP calling on the Tea Partiers to "repudiate the racism of the Tea Parties" and stand against the movement's attempt to "push our country back to the pre-civil rights era," the Tea Partiers responded by calling the NAACP racist, irrelevant, and bigoted.

So while the media covers the fight and replays the insults, I thought I'd offer some thoughts and observations about the Tea Party movement.

First the observations . . . .

According to press reports and internet blogs, the Tea Party folks are unhappy with the bailouts. They fear that decisions made by the Federal Government will drive us to economic and social ruin. They stand against communism and socialism. One observer of the movement opined that the rise of the Tea Party establishes that "[m]ost Americans are rejecting the path of dependence and are intent on declaring their independence once again."

All of this tells me, the Tea Partiers want to do something big. They want to change America. But I am confused about exactly what they want to change it into. I'm struck by the Tea Party's fondness for the (largely superficial) quotes and trappings of the European colonial era. Some go with the (relatively) hip white or yellow t-shirt with the words "Don't Tread On Me" emblazoned on them. Others wear red coats, floppy three-cornered black felt hats, and white stockings worn to the knee.

One picture I saw showed a person carrying a sign with these words on it: "Throw out every bum who voted for higher taxes." (And who would that leave in office?) Another said, "Don't Tax Me Bro." Without commenting on who "Bro" is (more on that later), I wonder what it is that these Tea Partiers envision for America.

This is all rather confusing.

But what is clear is that Tea Partiers are not interested in fostering a diverse, multi-cultural perspective (to put it nicely). According to the New York Times, the Tea Party is a movement that finds support from mostly white people. Mark Williams, a spokesperson for Tea Party Express (and until recently, chairman of the organization) is reported to have recently published a blog full of offensive, racist stereotypes about Black people. Tea Party spokesman Tom Tancredo said earlier this year, "many of the people who voted Obama into office “can’t even spell the word vote or even speak English." (He's also recently argued that the biggest threat to our liberty, way of life, and constitution is our President). And he was cheered! And of course, who can forget those Tea Party signs that flutter in the Tea Party crowds? Signs like this one: "Can't we all just agree that it's because he's black?"

So here's my two cents . . . .

I don't understand the Tea Party preference for colonial era dress. You've probably heard the phrase coined by Mark Twain, "the clothes make the man." Well in 2010, wearing a three-cornered hat and red coat makes you a goof ball who doesn't want to relate to contemporary society - a society now more colorful (pun intended) and diverse than ever before.

I also don't understand the Tea Party fondness for colonial maxims unrelated to the political and social realities of our day. I don't like taxes either. But chanting "No taxation without representation" is not the same as doing something to improve our representative form of government. Also, I just can't figure out how our nation would exist without taxes. Can you? I guess I'd be more impressed with the Tea Partiers if I saw signs saying, "No need to tax me - I'll just give the pentagon my money."

And finally, I don't understand why the Tea Party just can't admit that it endorses racism by doing nothing when whacko's show up at their rallies carrying racist signs. To be legitimate, the Tea Partiers must take a national stand against those who woud carry racist signs at their rallies. I imagine it's easy to look the other way, instead of telling someone to get rid of their sign. But it's time the Tea Party shows it's willing to stand against hate.

Let's all stop avoiding the real issue here: the Tea Party is afraid. Tea Party anger shows only Tea Party fear. So they ought to think for a second before they react to the criticism they're receiving. If they want to lead, then they ought to be courageous. They need to enter a dialogue about race. It's hard - but it's necessary. Our black president is not "Bro." He's the elected leader of our country. Our national pride should call us to act not out of fear, but out of courage, goodness, and kindness. For only by courage, goodness, and kindness will we justly solve the problems we face today.