First let me say, “Holy crap! I agree with Dave Weigel.” Dan Riehl was shocked to find he agreed with Dave as well. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way; let me also say that Charles Johnson is an intellectual lightweight that patrols the Fox News website comments section for any questionable comment that he can use to summarily label all conservatives as racists or homophobes. Good work if you can get it, but I much prefer to actually earn the traffic that I’m fortunate enough to garner by writing about what I truly believe and not resort to stereotypical name calling.
To be fair to John Derbyshire I have to tell you that I’m really not familiar with him at all. I haven’t read his writings and the allegations that he’s a racist by nature and only now coming clean about it, well, you’ll have to judge that for yourself.
To that end, Bob Belvedere doesn’t believe that Derbyshire is a racist and neither does Stacy McCain; and that, quite frankly, is good enough for me.
Oh that Charles Johnson were as quick to heap his criticism about race on Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson as he is about every conservative living and breathing. I promise, no more wasted ink on the Lizard King.
Derbyshire’s piece, while it could be construed as shockingly racist, is more shocking because it tackles an issue that so many are afraid to talk about out in the open. The question should be asked. Are the things that Derbyshire said true or not? If they are, then how could he possibly be considered a racist? If those things are not true, then yes, he’s a racist and a liar.
Some of the things that he listed as points that he has talked to his kids about rang a bell with me. He mentioned a few things that in this politically correct society will certainly draw out the racism label, and like clockwork, they have. But that aside, would you ride the “L” train to the South Side of Chicago at night?
I’m reminded of a trip my dad and I took to the city of Obama in 1995. The Cubs weren’t in town so our only option was to go to the South Side to see the White Sox. We left our hotel to catch the train and were warned vehemently not to ride the train back after the game. Catch a cab, at all costs, catch a cab. So, we did. Who am I to play the odds when it comes to my personal safety? Call me a racist if you want to, but I’m still here and nothing happened that night in Chicago.
And don’t even get me started about the riots that always seem to break out at Hip-Hop awards shows. What the heck is that all about?
Do I agree with everything Derbyshire has written in this piece? No. Do I think he has a valid point. You’re damn right I do. And as long as the bottom feeders control the narrative, we’ll never have “an honest discussion” about race in this country like Eric Holder wishes we would.
UPDATE: More evidence that what Derbyshire wrote wasn’t entirely out of bounds. It is what it is.
UPDATE II: Linked at the Pirates Cove, thanks William!
