We're All Racists Now

One of the most widespread problems in America (worldwide) is Psychological projection.

An example of this behavior might be blaming another for self failure. The mind may avoid the discomfort of consciously admitting personal faults by keeping those feelings unconscious, and by redirecting libidinal satisfaction by attaching, or "projecting," those same faults onto another person or object.

For many, racism is the 'go-to' excuse for their own poor choices, personal weaknesses and shortcomings. It's not the only excuse, but it is a most pervasive one.

I know a guy, a self-professed New Yorican, born in Puerto Rico but grew up on the lower East side of Manhattan. Most racist person I have ever known so well, a nice guy but sees everything through the prism of racism. Anything that happens is in one way or another because of race. Things that have nothing whatsoever to do with race he still describes as racist. If a Puerto Rican server forgot to give him ketchup, it was racist. Calling him out on it does no good at all. "You're both Puerto Rican, how can that be racist?" "I'm New Yorican!" I forget what he called them, country hicks or something. "Even if they hate you and do it on purpose, it's still not racism." "They're racist #%@^*&!" "Whatever, dude."

And he is Democrat all the way, hates the racist Republicans. But if you talk to him it becomes obvious that he is actually more conservative in his views. There is also no way to make him come to terms with this. I would describe it as brainwashing. I have to agree with Herman Cain on this. He has been brainwashed since youth to like Democrats and hate racist Republicans, to look at everything through that racist prism. Perhaps brainwashed isn't precisely the correct word but the effect is the same. Cultural brainwashing? He has been imprinted since a child to think this way and he can't (won't?) escape it.

He complains a lot that people don't like him and, of course, attributes that to racism, but doesn't see that he is the one pushing people away. If you are always accusing people of racism people are not going to want to be around you. It's a self-perpetuating cycle from which it is very difficult to escape.

Edit: How sad that after I wrote this I come across this: Samuel L. Jackson echoes Morgan Freeman, says Tea Party racism is obvious

No matter how poorly the economy performs, no matter how many scandals surround the administration, no matter how weakly the president’s jobs plan is received by legislators and the public, Samuel L. Jackson can see no reason why the Tea Party might oppose Barack Obama’s reelection other than race.

There's that bad programming rearing it's ugly head again.