Lying To Make Friends

This discussion of Obama’s lack of popularity in the South, and the role that race plays, touches on two points that are commonly overlooked in our public discourse.  The first, which can’t be repeated enough, is that racism is not an all or nothing proposition.  The subtle (and even many not so subtle) influences of racial bias are too often ignored because once someone establishes that they are not “a racist,” it is considered beyond the pale to discuss any influence that race may have on his actions or opinions.

The second point is that Americans in general are not very ideological, at least about the size and scope of government.  The popularity or lack thereof of government programs is dictated by whether they are seen as effective and, more importantly, whether they benefit whoever you’re asking.  Even the Tea Party, which in general presents itself as opposed to big government as a matter of principle, is willing to fight for big government when self-interest so demands.  As Potts points out, Southern concerns about the size and role of government have always been tied up with race, going back to slavery.  Potts also could have pointed to the South’s continuing support for the Democratic Party through the New Deal, which dramatically increased the size and role of government.  Put another way, Southerners were fine with the federal government providing electricity, jobs, and income security, but not saying who gets to drink at which water fountain.  Conservative politicians and commentators like Rand Paul, Barry Goldwater, and William F. Buckley may be sincere in opposing/having opposed the Civil Rights Act on “role of government” rather than racist grounds (which of course doesn’t excuse how callous and misguided their position was/is), but it simply isn’t accurate to ascribe that sincerity to white Southerners in general.

-AR