Posted by
Bob B on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 11:24:14 AM
McCain ran his now famous Brittany Spears ad. I was amused. I was also pleased the old man’s campaign got off its duff and finally did something spirited and effective. Sure, I expected accusations of attack ad, beneath McCain’s claim to decency in campaigning, etc. But I never expected the ‘it’s a racist ad’ allegation. It never ever occurred to me. And I Have heard enough comments from Conservatives to know they are mystified by the claim also.
I also know enough Obama supporters to believe some did honestly see this as racist. When I get befuddled by something like this I shake my head to rattle my brain. How can it be that some people genuinely see blatant racism where others see not a trace. The easy answers might be prejudice or blindness. But too many people on either side are neither, for these to be the answer.
Here’s what I came up with.
Those on the Right see people as individuals. They see one flighty celebrity, then another flighty celebrity and a third individual being portrayed as similarly all flash and no pan. The point here is not to debate the accuracy or inaccuracy of that portrayal. That’s for another time.
Those on the Left see people as member of a group first and individuals last. To this mindset the ad involves four groups, male, female, black and white. So this becomes at first blush an ad about two white females and a black man. See the difference?
It is still a big leap to sexism but that’s a leap the Left is comfortable with. It also is a leap some do not even see as necessary. Just to juxtapose two white women with one black man is enough in itself, especially when done by a white male.
I need a rest. It is very tiring trying to think like a liberal.