A former president has decided to speak out again. Apparently, making nice comments about Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez or denouncing Israel for its policies toward Palestinians has not kept him busy enough. Now he has to interject race into American politics.
Jimmy Carter, in an interview on NBC, expressed himself in this manner:
I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African-American. . . .
That racism inclination still exists, and I think it’s bubbled up to the surface because of belief among many white people — not just in the South but around the country — that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country.
Well, he’s entitled to his opinion, but . . .
Meet Michael Steele. He’s chairman of the Republican National Committee. In case you haven’t noticed, he’s black. He also has been roundly criticized by Democrats. Now, what’s the basis for their criticism? Well, if we apply Carter logic to the situation, they’re probably opposed to him because of the color of his skin. Those Democrats must be racists.
Does anyone really believe that? Anyone with common sense, that is?
I have been aligned with conservatives, both of the Christian and non-christian variety, for most of my life. In all that time, I can honestly say I have no memory of anyone basing their conservative philosophy on racial bias. That doesn’t mean such people don’t exist, but I have never met them personally.
That’s why it’s so jarring to me to hear this harping on race. Why is it so difficult to believe that those of us who are opposed to Obama’s ideas are opposed for philosophical and policy reasons? Let me state categorically: the color of a person’s skin doesn’t phase me one way or the other. I look at what a person promotes. I analyze policies based on how close they are to a Biblical worldview.
I thought we were supposed to be in a new post-racial America. We might be, if only the Democrats will stop using race as a political weapon.