Buchanan, Cheney, and Limbaugh Attack Colin Powell

Buchanan, Cheney, and Limbaugh Attack Colin Powell
by Ron Powell

Are the statements of Pat Buchanan, Dick Cheney, and Rush Limbaugh regarding Colin Powell, evidence of the Republican party choosing to be the party of rich, white, privileged, and powerful racists?

Racism is not about color; it is about power. Prejudice by itself does not constitute racism, however. Neither does power by itself.

But when people use their position of power, be it political or institutional, to reinforce their prejudices and to enforce them so that as a result of their racial prejudices the life chances, rights and opportunities of others are limited, the result is racism. Thus, the simplest definition of racism then is: Racism is prejudice plus power.

On the basis of this definition, it can be said that while all people can be prejudiced, only those who have power can be identified racist. Once one understands that racism, at its core, has to do with power, one can then recognize that racism has been employed (particularly by the Republican Party in recent times) as a means to gain, maintain, and exercise power.

During the last election their tactics failed. They lost, they're hurting, and it shows. They are now without a cogent message, or an acceptable leader, and they have no 'plan B' upon which to base meaningful political activity.