Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Trouble With Angry White Men
Posted by Will Moredock on Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 6:55 AM
A reader recently sent me an email in response to my August 10 column. He has obviously given it a lot of thought and I share his opinion. I have given it a lot of thought, too!
The free-floating anger which right wing media and politicians have been able to channel so effectively is not based on any rational understanding of the world and in many cases, not even on any actual events. Much of what the right wingers are screaming about is simply fiction (President Obama's religion and birth place, for example).
The right wing has come unhinged in this country and right now they are making waves. In the future they will be remembered like Joe McCarthy and Father Charles Coughlin — as historical oddities. But for now, they are very present and very loud and a real pain in the national butt.
Read what this reader had to say. And if you doubt that the right wingers are crazy as bats in the sunshine, read the responses to this post!
I’m starting to think that the present problems with paranoia and extremism go deeper than just the “Tea Party” phenomenon. Who is the core audience for all the right-wing screamers? White males. Who’s addicted to weaponry? White males. Who favors violent aggression and harsh revenge as the obvious solutions to all conflict? White males. Who’s falling rapidly behind in every measure of educational achievement? White males. Who has wet dreams about Sarah Palin? White males. Who provides the most toxic bluster on Internet commentary threads? White males.
Violent vices tend to afflict men of all colors in this country, but black gang bangers, drunken Native Americans, or Mexican drug traffickers don’t have the tradition of assumed authenticity and entitlement claimed by white males. The collapse of American military and economic pretension, the election of a black President, and the increasingly diverse nature of American life, however, have challenged that entitlement big time. White males (predictably, given the characteristics I mentioned above) have responded with delusionary resentment, bullying, and threats, which, because of their traditional clout with the media and politicians, are becoming the lingua franca of political and social discourse these days. Politicians, both male and female, fear looking “weak”; the media fear “liberal bias.”
(Fourth District Congressman Bob) Inglis not being “conservative” enough was just a euphemism for his real problems. He’s a wimpy-looking wonk; he thinks too much; he’s not a “real man.” Look at the hasty retreat John McCain has made from any former position of his that might be interpreted as compassionate or tolerant. He’s shamelessly pandering for validation as a white man. He can’t let sand be kicked in his face like Inglis.
I’d like to think that white males like us are trying to evolve beyond the simplistic and vicious mindset of our demographic, and you guys certainly have the “cajones” to stand up publicly to the knuckle-scrapers, but a lot more of us, including the President, have to do so.
In fact, here is one of those AWM messages that was emailed directly to me, rather posted on the site. I thought I would share it with you here.
What is wrong with getting angry over the way this country is going into the crapper? You are the angry, racist man!! I have two words for you Tim Scott. I support him totally and do not buy into your explosive remarks.
...Who’s addicted to weaponry? White males. Who favors violent aggression and harsh revenge as the obvious solutions to all conflict? White males.
What the hell is this? If you were to say this about blacks....you would be deemed as racist....but it is ok to claim whites are likes this. If anything you have got your skin color wrong.
This country is going is in the toilet....we have the worst president ever....congress does not listen to the people...we have the supreme court not following the Constitution....unemployment is at 15-20%...deficit through the roof....Iran going nuclear....trips to Spain....I can go on.....and we ...whites....and everyone else is supposed to just roll over? I think not. If we are angry white men...then now you know why.
Good day to you sir. FBD
Comments (46)
Showing 1-46 of 46
Moredock, and I thought YOU were the only angry white man, white guilt is a terrible thing to waste!
Where is the link to the response...
like
dislike
Stop your bitchin and go to work like the rest of us!! Free handouts are for pussies...jobs are out there, just ask the Mexicans. If and when I lose my job, don't think I will not take a job waiting tables or laying pinestraw. You get what you put in.
I'm a white male and I'm not afraid of hard labor. I have a family to feed!!! Obama wants to spread the wealth of those not afraid to work!
Thats a joke Obama wants to pay those who don't earn by charging those that do. What happens when we can't pay and go broke
I’d like to think that white males like us are trying to evolve...... , including the President, have to do so.
" PUULEASE, ANOTHER WHINER ON A WHINER BLOG, IMAGINE MY SURPRISE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO SHORTAGE OF "WHINING WHITE MEN" ( USING THE TERM LOOSELY ) I APOLOGIZE FOR ALL THE BULLYING YOU MUST HAVE ENDURED, THE ONLY BULLY ON THE PLAY GROUND TODAY IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND BY THE WAY THEY ARE STILL AFTER YOUR LUNCH MONEY. SO ALL I CAN SAY IS "HIKE UP YOUR SKIRT, NANCY, AND WADE THROUGH THE SHALLOW PARTS" IT WILL BE ALRIGHT.
I am a white man and couldn't be bothered to read this due to the HUGE typo on the subject line. GG
Wow! You have a job that requires you to be able to read write and compose a column in a newspaper. But yet you are too ignorant to use a dictionary or spell check. Or you are just too lazy to proof read your work. This is why the media is whack!
Reverse discrimination hurts and is getting worse. we sure have it in our country especially in the south. I don't think a white man wrote this. This is an educated black trying to twist everything onto the whites. Killings in the south are black on blacks. Most of them are ones who never had a father and their mother blaming the white people for their problems. Our prisons are full of blacks, whites and mexicans. Mostly blacks. The black churches have an underground workings of telling the blacks on how to vote. In a lot of ways they are brain washed. Go to the south and the majority of local and state workers and officers are majority black. I live here in the south and I've had a lot of blacks friends that I got information from. O'Bama has proven to be a racist. So who's wrong. We'll never come together as long as the blacks think we were the ones who put them into slavery. That was our fore fathers not us in todays world. Everytime you turn around the race card is played. They can't come up with anything that proves white are the racists. They live in the years of them being oppressed. I'm so tired of hearing all this.
"Will Moredock is not a credit to his race."... factchecker
It's so unfortunate that so few realize that there is only one race...the human race. However I agree that the writing from most at the city paper is crap, especially when articles are written about responses received regarding PAST articles..... (I think the entire CP staff is guilty of this, not just Moredock)
The root of the "angry white man" phenomenon isn't hard to fathom. At one point in our history (quite recently actually), white men had all the power. Now they only have most of it. And their share of power is bound to keep decreasing due to demographics and other factors. Stephen Colbert was voicing what many people subconsciously felt when he said "How I long for the good old days when rich white men had all the power instead of only most of it!"
SARK right out of the play book, even if you didn't sign your comments I could pick them out, if I knew they weren't Mats...
Stephen Colbert, yeah if he said it, it must be true! Tell the truth your a professional student aren't you?
I am a white male in my late 20's. I am a moderate who voted for Obama. I consider myself to be well traveled and tolerant of most if not all other cultures, religions, races, sexual orientations and so fourth. I am from a working class family and a working class neighborhood. This artical is complete bull****. Speaking for myself, I am not threatened by the fact that other race in this country is taking their share of our National Power, as a matter of fact I thinks its a good thing. This artical reads like if you have a penis and your white you want to blog about shooting every immigrant and african american in the country, after I drop out of high school. And I don't have any posters pf Palin hanging on my wall either. Articals like this are as dangerous as any hate that spews from the mouth of an extreme right winger. I am not a politacal insider but I'm sure works of ficton are used by both side of the fence when it suites them. As a matter of fact it was used by a liberal media outlet during the last administration. In that case I the news man lost his job for it. I'll tell you what as a white man I do resent. Someone assuming they know how all white men are based on the thoughts and actions of idiots. I also resent that white men are being made to feel we should be ashamed of the fact that we are white men.
As usual the white male (currently the most discriminated class for the last 50 years) is the bad guy. Everyone seems to forget who has financed all of this free everything for all the freeloaders in this nation! Look at the real numbers and tell me that I am a liar! Statistics will tell you that white men have given up more than than anyone else, and things are more screwed up today than ever. YOU ASKED FOR THE TRUTH, HERE IT IS! JUST GET A JOB, SHUT THE HELL UP, AND TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT WHITE MEN HAVE TAKEN SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL!!!
I wonder why white males seem angry in today's society? I put myself through college and paid for everything while working full time. My GPA was a 3.70. I scored a 160 on the LSAT, but got no financial assistance to attend Law School. I got a little angry when I found out that a Black female was given a FULL scholarship with a 3.2 GPA and a 148 on the LSAT. After all, I think that is fair and EQUAL TREATMENT...Don't you???
MMMM: I a male, white, and very angry. So obviously that article wasn't talking about who fits in that demographic. It doesn't seem to be describing you. It's describing those angry white men who feel that "their" country is being taken away by "them".
Truth: You're an idiot. Ask any black person who woman if they'd rather trade places with you and be a white guy. I bet they jump at the chance, because they know what actual discrimination is.
Also, the great, noble, hard-working white man hasn't enriched himself (looking back over the last several hundred years) by just working harder and taking responsibility that all those savages and women refused to take. He got rich by exploiting others: slavery, sweat shops, coal mines, and today maquiladoras.
screddawg: I went to college; I'm not a student any more. And in case you're wondering, I've actually become much more radical since graduating (having your labor exploited will do that to you).
I am a WHITE MALE. I ACCEPT who I am, and what I am! I make no apologies for what and who I am. I am proud to be white no matter what the media tries to instill into the minds of the public. I have NO REASON to feel ashamed for what I am... Unlike many in this nation today, I do NOT blame women or other races for my shortfalls or problems, that each individual is responsible for creating. A lot of white men had to be promoters of fairness and equal rights or minorities and women would not have the rights that they have today. This article indicates that the biggest HATER is the author who, by the way needs to take a spelling class.
Being a native while male South Carolinian, I went to the public swimming pools where Blacks were not allowed, I went to the public library where blacks were not allowed, I rode the city bus in the front, Blacks in the back. I went to decent public schools. Black kids went to public schools with fewer school buses and they got our used books and their teachers [all black] were often incompetent since they had faced the same educational system they were now teaching in. Anyone who thinks that these historical facts do not contaminate the present is simply not being honest. Is a white man who is upset that
a black woman got into law school because of preferential treatment, is he justified in being outraged? Of course, he is justified. At the same time, there is no denying that past discrimination has present and continuing effects. Put another way: our society is messy and complicated and simple explanations and solutions are for teenagers, not for adults. I look forward to more adult comments here - whether I agree with them or not.....Thanks
Moredock is angry - and white. 50+ years old and the zenith of his "writing" career is a small town college weekly.
I guess if you don't have what it takes to make the big leagues, there's always a subsistence-level living to be made throwing rocks from the bleachers at those "bad white men" playing first string.
They prob. stole his lunch money in third grade - he'll show them now!
If white males are the ones that solve thier problems with guns, then why is the news filled every week with blacks shoting blacks?
Great article! I've watched the American punditry scene in the past two years skirt this very subject matter with pretentiousness and dexterity. The polls (another word for pretence) show that some 30% of Americans (read: white males) believe their president is a muslim. Another 40% strongly believe that Obama was born in Kenya (or is it Indonesia). And you want me to believe that these poll outcomes are normal and issuing forth from a nation with, presumably, one of the highest literacy levels in the world? Well, I don't. This fury sure comes from minds that have gone twisty from bottled up anger and (self-) loathing. This president campaigned on just about every single legislative initiative he's got congress to pass. Yet an entire nation of (presumably white angry males) pretends that they've been taken by complete surprise by the man and his actions. All empirical evidences (as to the need for a thoughtful health care bill for the economy's long haul survival; climate bill; clean jobs creation bill; etc.) are entirely discountenanced in the rabid exchange that has passed for national discourse. Oh yes, my dear Mr. Moredock, there sure is more to the self-loathing than meets the eye. After living comfortably for eight years while the legacies of past visionary leadership were trampled by the mindless and frivolous Bush-Cheney duo, you would think that these right wingnuts would at least give thoughtfulness and introspection a chance to unwind years of rashness. But no. The same cadre of rabble-rousers are, incidentally, the most willing to allow their country prance around the world picking fights no matter how uncalled for - and even in the face of severe economic strictures. They would rather that America uses its vast but rapidly dwindling wealth to fight battles in far-flung climes. Nobody asks the question as to why Finland, Switzerland, your neighbour Canada, Austria, etc. are all way ahead of the world's richest nation in terms of the most important yardsticks for measuring the content of its citizens' lives. The commentary trail here hints at one ineluctable fact: literacy of the mental variety is, in fact, the department where America is most in need of global pity and assistance.
Ndabaningi - please indent or separate your paragraphs and insert prepositions where needed - it would make your post easier to digest and render your cries for a literate population a tad more credible.
Thank you,
Pretty Mellow American White Guy
Catwiththumbs: I'll shock myself if I say you surprise me. Indentation of paragraphs now make a huge meaning to you, the mightily frivolous. You will soon fall back to wanting me to indent my talk too. When it suits you, the fivolous get elevated; when it doesn't, then war-mongering takes pride of place. The sooner Americans like you get serious with the rapidly changing realities of our current global existence, the sooner your country will begin the necessary task of adjusting. Which adjustment this country is fully capable of doing with less trashing about and whining if people like you can give thoughtful leadership a chance. But no, you won't. Your right, as of birth. to shiny toys has suddenly been abridged (as nature has ordained it from time)and you're unable to live with it. Those of us who've always been grateful for America's role in the world (WW1 & 11; Korean War; responsibly and non-violently winding down the Soviet Union; etc) are honestly shocked at what nincompoop leadership has done to this once great leader of the vanguard for a free world. Our own anger at America (or what has become of it) comes from knowing that the world is, in fact, in dire need of a moral leader now as perhaps any other time in history. It is precisely the kind of trashing about that's going on in this couyntry that will ensure that China zooms past the U.S. with none of you noticing because you're more interested in fostering a macho image than in providing global leadership from a moral high ground. I bet you're one of those who will keep up with the argument as to whether America succeeded in Iraq with a certain troop surge and not whether that mision was called for in the first place even with Osama Bin Laden reclining on a hamock in Tora Bora. Either way, my previous conclusion remains ineluctable.
Dude, chill out - you were whining about literacy; I just said you might want to practice what you preach. You seem pretty angry.
The conservative (Republican, Democrat, and Independent) white male and his now modern female counterpoint is leading the challenge of freeing government created hapless citizens from the ever-burgeoning mammy state. With a vociferous outcry for constitutional government, less government spending, and individual responsibilty for ALL we are saying the government will be held responsible from now on: not by how much it can do for the individual but by how little it stands in the way. People will have the incentive to put down their outstretched hands and grab their bootstraps. Unless, of course, people like Moredock, Sharpton, Jackson, Pelosi and Reid come along and cut the straps off.
The current social issues that plague America cannot be simlpy explained in a blog posting; however the issues of today were rooted in the post-WWII era and the "Great Society". A social welfare program that was implemented and run by the government of the United States of America and America's greatest generation. Social welfare was no longer handled at the local level or by the very communities it was designed to help. It was managed from Washington DC. Now i'm not going to point any fingers or name "names" but who was ethnically in charge in the 50s and 60s? Was it the AA or Hispanic in the inner cities? Was it the Asian or Eastern European immigrant from the Mid West or pacific? Or was it the conservative, elite Caucasoid from the suburbs and North East and South?
It seems to me that there is a gradual yet subtle power and demographic shift in America and certain folks don't like it. Then again it's change and not too many people like "change" and have a fear of the unknown.
Perhaps they are concerned that the other ethic races will exact some measure of vengence upon them once the Caucasoid is the minority and unprotected?!?
Nahhh, that's just silly and petty. We won't rape, pillage and enslave the Caucasoids, no reason to, we'll have robots to do all the tedious, manual and dirty work by 2040. Well, for your sake, I hope so.
Just waiting my turn.
This article is a huge load of crap. Liberals with a pen always want to paint people who disagree with them as racist's. Liberals certainly can't argue the merits of their point-of-view - then they get creamed.
Signed - Another painted racist to be.
Catwiththumbs: Don't even bring up the issue of literacy because it's obvious you do not know what it means. Hear yourself: Indent a comment to a blog post. Sounds pretty much like the wisdom from the new American right - ever ready to jump to conclusion irrespective of context. Pity is still your lot.
The chitty paper makes great bird cage liner! Sometimes I use it to wipe my as ss!
"Ndabaningi", don't get so excited, everyone knows that when an argument is lost the only recourse is to speak louder than the opponent or start the petty personal attacks in which the hope is to upset or anger you to the point that you're unable to rationalize or continue the argument.
Calm down, everybody - I haven't put my 2 cents in on the subject at hand; I took a poke at Moredock because I find him obvious and desperate, and it would seem to go without saying that a post lamenting the literary shortcomings of others would strive be a lighthouse of literary form and function for the less fortunate to follow.
But, that's just me. Carry on.
If only whomever your daddy was, and we understand the investigation is still open, just let the rubber hit the road, we would not have had to put up with your ignorant post
Had only whomever your daddy was (the case is still open) only practiced the thematic statement of a great tire producer i e WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD we would not have to be responding to your ignorance.
Howver, once you get 1 to 3 pubic hairs, you'll see the fact that you have let your battleship mouth overload your ROW BOAT ASS
Not quite the civilized commentary I was hoping for, but, you are who you are - whoever you are.
Good luck, God speed, many happy returns of the day.
I think we can sum all of this up with one statement. Will Moredock, you are an idiot!!!
I think the article reads better if you start with the comments..... (nice foresight)!
Ah yes, another pearl from Mr. Moredock.
Actually writing a column and having an original thought has once again proved to be elusive. It's much easier to regurgitate an e-mail or blog post from someone else, captioned with a provocative phrase or epithet (Racist, Teabagger, Homophobe, Angry White Male, Etc...) and wait for the trolls to start convulsing.
Mr. Moredock, you are a hack muckraker of the first order.
I'll file this under "Angry white male column, written by ignorant, guilt riddled, white male".
Perhaps you should review the content of your previous columns before your next lament on the status of race relations in this country, Mr. Stir-the-Pot.
And while you're at it, can I suggest that you might try to engage in intercourse with yourself?
Factchecker - Will is the Muck, and if you have ever been in a horse stall you know what that is...
I P Yuengling - There ain't enough Viagra in the world for "little Willy" to be able to do what you suggest...
This country has always had its white men who hate anyone who isn't like they are. From one's skin color to one's "station" in life. So white man's hate is not limited. They especially use it for their own personal gain of the almighty dollar to feed their greed.
Make no mistake about it, this country has always had to fight that kind of white man and always will. Its always the same battle and the battle is called greed and its taken from the sweat and blood of the people of this country.
Black, White, Arabic, Hispanic, men of all nationalities, You are all bad! Because of men, all through the ages we have had nothing but crime and war and male polititians fighting against each other causing the collapse of our government. Your greed has caused severe damage to the environment and the human race
period. To all men of all nationalities who think that they are superior and above women, Think Again! You are far inferior!
Jill
The current "powers that be" are trying to distract the American people from the fact this administration and this congress are driving our country off a cliff. If Race does the job, great. If not, we can try religion, right? Of course, national origin is always a winner.....America....WAKE UP!
Jill,
Your lament about men is out of context.
You forgot to tell everyone about the person responsible for the original corruption of man.
Her name was EVE!
Now shut your pie hole, put down that apple, and get me another beer.
- Super Bowl XVLI: Where to go for the big game3 comments
- Charleston Place sues Republican conference organizers1 comment
- Glenn Beck coming to PAC48 comments
- S.C. Senate votes to halt Savannah Port dredging31 comments
- Ravenel Bridge arrestee had prior records of stalking, service7 comments
- Business owners work to create a stronger identity for growing district3 comments
-
Raul's Taqueria & Mexican Grill
The mole is one of the best I have ever had. Raul said it is… -Charles Robinson
-
The Griffon
Thanks for the suggestion! While I didn't have the "Honey Badger Wrap," I can tell… -Urmothershusband
-
Little Tokyo
I absolutely love this place. I only go out to eat about once a week,… -Muskie
-
The Grocery
We enjoyed our experience! The menu is set up in a way that is perfect… -foodful
-
The Cocktail Club
We had an amazing experience at the Cocktail Club! We are new to Charleston and… -foodful
-
S.C. Senate votes to halt Savannah Port dredging
Second reading of bill passes 35-0
-
Charleston Place sues Republican conference organizers
Says GOPers didn't pay $227,000 hotel tab
-
Ravenel Bridge arrestee had prior records of stalking, service
Who is Phillip DeClemente?
-
Business owners work to create a stronger identity for growing district
Name-calling
-
Richard Todd will return to WTMA Feb. 16
Morning talk show host has been on hiatus since his wife passed away
