It’s not Racism, it’s called being an American

By Michael Steele

Charges of racism are among the most serious that can be made in America because of our nation’s history on race relations. There is no doubt America has come a long way in healing past wounds, but there is certainly more to be done. That is why I am outraged that Democrats today, including former president Jimmy Carter, are injecting race into the debate over President Obama’s policies.

Voicing opposition to the president’s policy proposals is not being a racist. It is being an American. Such assertions by leaders of the Democratic Party are a pathetic attempt to shift attention away from the president’s wildly unpopular government-run health care plan that the American people simply oppose. Injecting race into the debate over critical issues facing American families does not create jobs, reform our health care system or reduce the growing deficit. It only divides Americans rather than uniting us to find solutions to challenges facing our nation.

This summer, Americans had an opportunity to witness the miracle of our political system. All over the country ordinary American men and women, concerned about the Democrats’ policies coming out of Washington, took a stand and expressed their opposition. It was grassroots American political activism at its finest. Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike voiced their opinions in public forums to public officials. It was a shining example of how our Republic was designed to function. This activism has not faded with the summer sun. Last week Americans from all walks of life flooded Washington D.C. and continued their public opposition to President Obama’s government-run experiments.

As an African American, I know what racism is and that is not racism. Just like the millions of African Americans in this country who have fought and overcome on their way to the American dream, I have experienced racism firsthand. It is something you never forget. The civil rights movement helped to elevate the nation’s conscience on matters of race. Proud Americans, black and white, fought for too long and too hard to have the claim of racism be used in such a cavalier fashion. Blind charges of racism, where none exist, not only are an affront to those who have suffered the effects of racism, but it weakens our efforts to address true acts of racism and makes them more difficult to overcome.

It is becoming increasingly clear that some in the Democratic Party need a serious history lesson. Slavery was racist, Jim Crow laws were racist, segregation was racist – opposing a radical political agenda is not. Americans of all races and political mindsets applauded the election of America’s first African American president; it was a proud moment for every American. But our pride in electing an African-American president does not override our right to disagree with President Obama’s policies. It is obvious certain politicians are attempting to exploit racial anger to make up for their own policy failings.

Americans have an obligation to stand up for what they believe in and that is exactly what they are doing. As a whole, Americans are exercising their First Amendment rights and are rejecting President Obama’s massive government-run experiments. They want common sense reforms and economic security. These principles are not found in the Democrats’ health care plans. The Democrats’ health care plan is the antithesis of these ideals.

President Obama’s campaign promised to move America beyond the bitter divides of yesterday. But for leaders of the Democrat Party to characterize Americans’ disapproval of the president’s policies as being based on race is an outrage and troubling sign about the lengths Democrats will go to disparage all who disagree with them. Playing the race card shows that Democrats are willing to deal from the bottom of the deck. Our political system has no place for this. President Obama should join me in calling for an end to these attacks by members of his party and a renewal of honest debate.

Michael Steele is chairman of the Republican National Committee.

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