Letter: Racism Hysteria 2021

1692, two children in Salem; having delusions, muscle spasms and vomiting, accused women of bewitching them. Hysterical hunts found witches. Trials were held and women imprisoned and hung.

1950s, Senator Joseph McCarthy, amid the Communist Hysteria of the time, accused many people of communism. Being a Communist was not illegal, but accusations were enough to ruin personal and professional lives which was his goal. Ironically, the accused were usually liberals.

Amid racism hysteria, we have a similar situation, with woke liberal democrats accusing anyone who disagrees with them of racism. They search a person's history back to the first grade hoping to find a costume, statement, association, or best of all the N-word as proof. If no proof is found it becomes proof of "systemic" racism which all white people have. Actual racism is not required; the accusation is enough to go about the process of destroying the accused.

President Biden cited a new Georgia election law as racist and Jim Crow (laws passed by Democrats pre-1964 which prevented blacks from voting, owning guns etc.) because it requires ID, which he believes black people do not have and cannot get. Isn't that belief, actual racism?

It is a myth that racism is rampant throughout America. I will be accused of being a racist for having that opinion. Denial has become proof, and if I had a job or position, I would have to be canceled. Not believing is in and of itself racist.

How can we defend ourselves? Maybe: "if you can't lick'em: join'em".

Not long ago many people ended every sentence with "you know," which did not mean they thought you knew, it only ended the sentence. They started every sentence with "like" and presently use "So" to start answers to questions, just as Canadian's end speech with "eh".

So why not preface everything with "Racist" and end with the "N-word"? The words would soon lose their power and meaning. In effect everyone will be accused, and you cannot cancel everybody. Blacks will no longer feel insulted since the "N-word" will apply to everybody, becoming just a figure of speech, like the Canadian "eh". Those few actual racist out there will lose a powerful hate word.

Usage can change word meanings, as an example the word "woke" changed from meaning not sleeping; to presently meaning; stupid, dishonest, vile, rude, vicious, obnoxious, and un-American.

Gary Fitzpatrick

Lewistown Mt. 59457