“Race war”: Right-wing race-baiting takes on a violent tone
Published
Continuing their long history of engaging in race-baiting attacks against President Obama, right-wing media figures have accused Obama, his administration, and the progressive movement of trying to start a “race war” in order to divide the public and “seize absolute power.”
Right-wing media claim that Obama is trying to foment a “race war”
Breitbart: “Can Dems again falsely manufacture non-existent race war for November -- or are people's eyes finally wide open to this MSM-aided ploy?” In a July 28 Twitter post, Andrew Breitbart wrote:
Beck warns his audience: “They want a race war ... and our government is going to stand by and let them do it.” On the July 12 broadcast of his Premiere Radio Networks show, Glenn Beck warned his audience that the “left” wants “a race war ... and our government is going to stand by and let them do it.”
Beck says progressives “need anger in the streets” and “they need a race war or any kind of war pulling each other apart.” During the July 16 edition of his television show, Beck stated that progressives “need anger in the streets” and “they need a race war or any kind of war pulling each other apart.” He then said, “Divided we will fall. They know it.”
Beck: “They must have the race riot. ... It is the Balkan plan. They are making us into the Balkans.” On the July 19 edition of his radio show, Beck told his listeners: “They must have the race riot. They must have the races pitted against each other. They're pitting us against each other in every step of the way. It is the Balkan plan. They are making us into the Balkans.”
Flashback: Savage says, “I fear that Obama will stir up a race war ... in order to seize absolute power.” On the October 8, 2008, edition of his nationally syndicated radio show, after airing a clip of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Michael Savage asserted: “I fear that Obama will stir up a race war. You want to ask me what I fear? I think Obama will empower the racists in this country and stir up a race war in order to seize absolute power.” Savage later said: “I want you to call this show and tell me what you fear about Barack Hussein Obama as president.”
Right-wing media routinely engage in race-baiting attacks against Obama
Media conservatives repeatedly attack Obama and his administration as “racist.” Since July 28, 2009, when Glenn Beck called President Obama a “racist” with a “deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture,” right-wing media figures have routinely called Obama and members of his administration “racist.” During the March 9 edition of his Fox News show, Sean Hannity defended Beck's statement, questioning whether Beck had said anything “over the top.” Rush Limbaugh echoed these remarks when, after citing a campaign video in which Obama discussed voter turnout, including among minorities and women, he said, “This is the regime at its racist best.” Discussing the phony New Black Panthers scandal, radio host Jay Severin said Obama is “demonstrably a racist.” Right-wing media figures have also labeled Obama administration officials -- including Eric Holder and other members of the Department of Justice -- “racist,” accusing them of blatant reverse discrimination and of having “allowed and even encouraged race-based enforcement as either tacit or open policy."
Right-wing media level a wide variety of racially charged attacks against Obama. In addition to blatantly calling Obama a “racist,” conservative media figures have engaged in other race-baiting attacks and have fired off a litany of vituperative allegations against the president. On the July 6 edition of his radio show, Limbaugh said that “If Obama weren't black he'd be a tour guide in Honolulu.” During the same edition of his show, Limbaugh claimed that Obama “wouldn't have been voted president if he weren't black.” Beck continued his race-based fearmongering by warning that Obama's agenda is driven by “reparations” and a desire to “settle old racial scores.” On Fox News, radio host Laura Ingraham said the Obama administration has “set back race relations in this country perhaps a generation.”