The Mo’Kelly Report

Ignorant maybe…but not ‘racist’

Racism, like the NBA is watered down these days.  Back in racism’s “heyday” its definition was clear, its associated acts, unmistakable.

These days, “racism” is simply interchangeable with “politically incorrect.”  Not only is that unfortunate, it’s troubling.  They are not the same.  The definition of racism hasn’t changed, only our inability to adequately identify it has increased.

The word racism used to intimate true hatred, malice, even violence; the conscious desire to subjugate a group of people simply because their skin is darker, hair more tightly curled or some other visibly perceptible difference.

That was then.

Today, many children grow up believing racism is akin to a single, untoward remark or even an inappropriate gesture or aside.

No, that’s not “racism”…it’s one step beyond impolite and lives in the same residential neighborhood as ignorance.  I’m not even sure there is one singular word which describes these many slips of tongue by the social elite and celebrities alike.

But it’s not racism.

To today’s point though…

This week has thrown not one, but two British princes into the “is he racist” discussion; but using the new school definition.  Allegedly Prince Harry had referred to a colleague as “Paki” and later father Prince Charles dodged criticism for allegedly calling a longtime Asian friend as “sooty.”

Predictably, the ensuing discussion has largely centered around whether the Royal Family is now “racist.”

Wow…even the word “racism” has been co-opted and appropriated.  It amazes me how few people in the world today, young or old, Black or White know what real racism is.  Disparaging remarks along racial lines are usually associated with people who also are racist, but verbiage has never been (or should never be) the defining factor.  If so, there is no such thing as a non-racist person…anywhere.

Are the two remarks offensive?  Absolutely.  And it doesn’t matter whether the intended parties in each instance were or were not offensive.  The etymology of the words are clear and distinct.  Along those same lines, I don’t use the word N***** and abhor being referred to as such by any African-American, regardless of how “lovingly” it may traipse off one’s lips.  The etymology and history of the word do not change.  The inflection of the last letter ending with an “a” instead of an “er” is neither here nor there.

The question that the media should be asking the Royal family is, for all the years learning etiquette and elocution how did they all miss the class on common sense?

The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse…as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex and Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mokellyreport.wordpress.com.

Morris W. O’Kelly can be reached at mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.