From comments to Steve Sailer:
* You see a lot in racialist sites arguing that blacks’ resentment and surliness stems from some conscious or sub-conscious desire to be White, wanting more than anything what Whites have–their fine hair, fair skin, historical achievements–therefore, the almost manic desire among black men for White women (receptive or otherwise) and the even stronger anger among black women because very few White men are interested.
I think that’s all bunk. Obviously, the data (from Rushton, etc.) shows no racial group with greater self appreciation and ego than blacks, no group loves themselves more than blacks, blacks find themselves endlessly attractive and interesting. Hence this insanity from Barry and Michelle that their experiences of being mistaken for service employees really strikes a chord among blacks. For most White, who wouldn’t think twice about such innocent and harmless mistakes, the world has a lot of interesting things, natural wonders and otherwise and the self has its place, but unless the stakes are significant, Whites are excellent at subsuming self into a larger context. Blacks, as Derbyshire observes, are their own context, nothing larger matters. And society indulges (without hesitation, out of fear, guilt, etc) and blacks become even more unbearable. There’s no satisfying someone who’s always thinking about themselves, first and last. it’s beyond childish–it’s an infant’s world view.
* Its also quite revealing because if that’s the best she has in the way of playing the race card, a la “look how YT treated ME! I can relate and I’m down with the struggle!”, then it really isn’t saying very much. Couldn’t she have picked a much stronger story of being hassled and harassed by big bad Jim Crow during her Princeton years? [e.g. ‘They actually made me revise my senior term paper! Me! Claimed the thesis was incoherent. I’m telling you, you have to watch your back every single second or else these racists are going to drag you down to their level!”]
Speaking of which, this story sounds very similar to what happened to Oprah last yr in Switzerland while visiting a high end boutique, except Oprah played the “Dont you know who I am” card. Then later thought the better of it and played the race card. (The shop didn’t have what she wanted cause she was black after all and doncha’ know…).
Another thing: The First Lady is required to travel with Secret Service people so the idea that she was completely unrecognized including by the person who asked for her help should require a more than healthy dose of skepticism.
But after all, she is the First Lady. We’re not supposed to ask for her help; she is entitled to request and require our help whether we like it or not.
* Reminds me of the “awful” slight that Oprah Winfrey suffered while shopping at a pricey boutique in Switzerland. Having seen a picture of the god-awful ugly expensive handbag that Mrs. Winfrey was inquiring about, I imagined that the saleswoman was sincerely trying to help by presenting a more tasteful but also less expensive option.
Too bad that with that chip on the shoulder, one always assumes the worst.
If all White Americans took a pill today to make them color blind and “cure” racism, many Blacks would likely still interpret much innocent behavior as hopelessly racist.
Sad indeed that our fellow Black citizens have to suffer that. Whatever racism there is, certainly is bad enough. The paranoia to see bad faith everywhere makes it even worse.
Maybe both Black and White America would be better off with a no-fault divorce. Irreconcilable differences and all that. When an all black police force stop and frisks fellow blacks in an all black society, there can be no charge of racism. They’re just trying to keep innocent black civilians safe…
* You know what’s a real shame? The POTUS lives with his overbearing wife and mother in law, and comedians are afraid to make jokes about it.
