Charles Brown wrote (to jordan):
>
> Let me guess. You are one of these people who thinks the charge of
> racism is over used.
i don't recall anyone on this list suggesting that "the charge of racism is over used." i do recall people discussing whether or not particular events could or should be characterized as "racist."
if you were referring to our earlier discussion, perhaps i can clarify my position for you. i believe that there is no shortage of media coverage of overtly racist activity/events. there is, of course, a shortage of media coverage of the racism underpinning american society in ways that remain invisible to the average person. i think that the media focus on the former (sensational) promotes complacency and allows people to think: "gosh those racists are terrible. glad there aren't that many of them around. they are nothing like me and the people i know. we sure have made headway as a society vis a vis racism. time to do away with affirmative action, as racism is no longer a factor in this society."
thus in my opinion had the media rushed to attribute the littleton shootings to racism, it would have been a continuation of this pattern; in this sense, calling the littleton shootings racist would have been, in effect, "denying racism," the very accusation you made when the media didn't declare that the shooters' primary motivation was racism.
i know we don't agree on this last part. no need to rehash the argument. we disagree. period.
kirsten