Ann Althouse, via Sully, on criticism of Bobby Jindal:
Expressed by Josh Marshall (“absolutely cringeworthy”), Andrew Sullivan (“Jindal’s entrance reminded one of Mr Burns gamboling toward a table of ointments”), and others.
Why are all these people so confident that they are not manifesting racism? There’s just something about this man that doesn’t seem right, that you don’t care to examine exactly what it is, but you know it deep down in your gut somehow. Seriously. How do you know this is not racism?
ADDED: Andrew Sullivan proffers an answer to my question: “Maybe because there is not a trace of evidence of any kind that we are. Unless comparing Jindal to Kenneth the Page or Mr Burns taps unknown wells of racist hate in my heart. I mean, seriously.” I think deeper reflection is needed. Why the urge to paint him as a white white man? Where did that come from? Of course, there are unknown wells inside us all. When you have an instinctive response to a person of another race, why not seek knowledge?
Is it some stereotype that Indian-Americans are like “white white” people? I thought the stereotype was that they drove cabs, owned 7-11’s, and made their kids win spelling bees. This is so dumb on so many levels. It reminds me a bit of this exchange on Ali G:
Andy Rooney: Ok, that’s enough.I can’t do this. I can’t do this.
Ali G: Why not?
Andy Rooney: It’s not going good.
Ali G: Is it because I is black?
Andy Rooney: You’re black?
Ali G: For real.
Andy Rooney: Who’s black?
Ali G: Yo, I is.