Teabagger Mark Williams proves his racism in interview with Tamron Hall

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I’m getting sick and tired of politicians, the media and other leaders having to tip toe around calling the teabaggers,* bigots. To quote John Wayne this is getting “rigoddamndiculous.”

Today during an interview with Tamron Hall on MSNBC, Mark Williams, who is a spokesperson for a teabagger group, defended an offensive letter he posted on the internet yesterday. Even though it was meant to be satirical, his use of the word “colored” just crossed so many lines and reinforces the meme that his group is in fact racist.

He defended the use of the word by pointing to the fact the actual name of the NAACP, is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In doing so he shows his absolute ignorance of this nation’s history as well as the circumstances that lead to the NAACP’s creation. The word is dated and in most cases it is meant to be offensive to African Americans, however when it comes to the NAACP it is accepted and to many of us it serves as a reminder of how far this nation has come since the organization’s founding.

Williams used the word to attempt to attack the credibility of NAACP president Ben Jealous, fortunately Hall was not having it, push backed on him wanting to call out the NAACP for its use of the word “colored” and told him “we are not even going to go there.”

Regardless Williams kept on saying “colored” this, “colored” that, “colored,” “colored,” “colored.”

He also went on to accuse the NAACP and other groups of being agent provocateurs, responsible for any racism on display at there events.

Teabaggers and others on the right who use race, ethnic background, religion and/or sexual orientation to divide us, have gotten away with this crap for too long and it needs to stop.

Since the Reagan administration whenever anyone calls out bigotry, the accused bigots push back and accuse those calling them out on their bigotry as being bigots. Unfortunately in this day and age of talk radio, the Internet and cable news networks the bigots have managed to change the conversation and force folks to tread carefully when calling them out.

You think I’m imagining this? Think about what happens and the reaction whenever our nation’s first African American president, Barack Obama addresses the issue of race.

Its a sad state of affairs.

EDITORS' NOTE: Join the Color of Change in demanding that the teabaggers choose to denounce Williams or admit they're a haven for bigots.

*I refuse to defame a special moment in American history but comparing this ignorant band of blithering idiots to the true patriots who took part in the Boston Tea Party.

Sarah Palin calls Obama "half white or half Black," wants him to "refudiate" NAACP

During a recent appearance on Sean Hannity’s show on FOX NEWS, in which she was pushing back at the NAACP’s resolution on teabagger* bigotry, Sarah Palin claimed that they didn’t care if President Obama is “half white or half Black.”

While Obama embraces his mixed parentage, he identifies himself as African American, not biracial, not “half white or half Black,” but African American. Folks who are biracial or of mixed heritage have every right to declare how they want to be identified and everyone else should respect their choice.

Make no mistake Palin meant this as a diss, a racial dog whistle, intended to defend teabaggers against charges of racism and other forms of bigotry, while at the same time reminding her like minded audience that he is not like them, he is different.

She is implying that white folks can’t be racist against some one who is “half white,” while at the same time reminding folks he is “half Black.” Let’s not forget that Palin’s buddy, radio host and pill popping bigot Rush Limbaugh refers to Obama as a “Halfrican American.” These references have a purpose and its not a celebration of Obama’s diverse background.

In the same interview Palin called on Obama to “refudiate,” (yeah the crazy lady made up the word “refudiate”) the NAACP for its resolution condemning the teabagger movement for the bigotry that is directed at Obama as well as others.

Think about that now, Palin wants Obama to “refudiate” (I guess that means repudiate) folks who are speaking out against the bigotry directed at him. Seriously?

Whenever the teabaggers get together the bigoted signs and rhetoric are not far behind. Lets not forget the time they called Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights hero, the “n-word,” spit on Congressman Emanuel Clever and called Congressman Barney Frank the “f-word,” all in one day.

The racially charged atmosphere that surrounds the teabaggers’ protest is just sickening. Whether its the picture of Obama dressed up like a witch doctor, Tea Party leader Dale Robertson carrying a sign with the “n-word” on it or the kid carrying a sign that says “Obamanomics: Monkey See/Monkey Spend,” its not surprising that many African Americans, including yours truly, as well as decent people of all backgrounds are alarmed by the overt racism on display at these events.

Rather than Palin pandering to her fellow teabaggers she needs to call them out, “refudiate” their bigotry, accept the NAACP’s resolution and challenge her friends to be above the bigotry that has defined their movement. Anything short of that is unacceptable, but sadly expected.
*I refuse to defame a special moment in American history but comparing this ignorant band of blithering idiots to the true patriots who took part in the Boston Tea Party.

It looks like we will be avoiding Side Street Grille in Hamden, CT

Of course it wasn't meant to be racist. . .yeah right. I am sure all of the Side Street Grille's African American patrons took part in the fun. We understand this is America and we can make fun of the president and while the mere act of making fun of the president is not racist, playing into racial stereotypes is.

The New Haven Register: NAACP blasts bar's pimped-out Obama

Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

HAMDEN — A cardboard cutout of President Barack Obama that appeared to depict the commander-in-chief as a pimp has drawn the attention of the NAACP.

The life-size image, which was accessorized with gold teeth, a pink woman’s hat, Mardi Gras beads, a hair pick and ornate rings, was taken down Tuesday from its perch behind the bar at the Side Street Grille on Whitney Avenue, four days after a black patron noticed and first complained. He contacted the NAACP this week after he returned Monday and saw it still on display.

“I was appalled when I saw the actual picture e-mailed over to me,” said Scot X. Esdaile, the NAACP state president, who said the display crossed any line of political parody. “The thing is a negative racial stereotype,” he said. “I don’t know of any negative racial stereotype aimed at George Bush.”

Bob Severino, owner of the bar, which is located near the Quinnipiac University campus, said Tuesday that the cutout was simply a joke and nothing more. He bristled at what he called strong-arm threats of pickets if the cutout wasn’t removed.
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