by Alec Kohut
Earlier this week I did a diary post and video detailing six racist, sexist or just plain ugly incidents of the right-wing and the GOP, just in the past ten days. Little did I know that Cherrios was planning to again feature a bi-racial family in a commercial. We all remember the racist backlash against a similar commercial last year that caused the company to close the comments section on You Tube because of hateful racist remarks.
So when MSNBC reminded us that the same right-wing that hated the ad last year, would also hate this ad, RNC chief Reince Priebus had a fit. How dare we actually call the right-wing on their racism. So we all expected MSNBC President Phil Griffin to laugh off demands for an apology. Just as Roger Ailes would laugh off demands for an apology over the overtly racist comments on Fox News.
But no. Griffin tucked his tail between his legs, grovelled for forgiveness of the racist right-wing, and let everybody at MSNBC know: If you upset the RNC and Rience Priebus, your job is in danger.
Forget having a debate about the racist actions of the GOP and its supporters, which I talk about in latest video:
Griffin simply confirmed what many of us progressives have sensed for a while now, that MSNBC is just another corporate media outlet afraid to tell the truth if might offend someone. Maybe that's why Fox News so thoroughly destroys MSNBC in every ratings category possible.
Maybe MSNBC has forgotten what the Washington Post's Richard Cohen said about Bill de Blasio and his family last year:
People with conventional views must repress a gag reflex when considering the mayor-elect of New York — a white man married to a black woman and with two biracial children. (Should I mention that Bill de Blasio’s wife, Chirlane McCray, used to be a lesbian?) This family represents the cultural changes that have enveloped parts — but not all — of America. To cultural conservatives, this doesn’t look like their country at all.While the right-wing racists "gag" at the sight of a bi-racial family, we elect de Blasio as mayor of America's largest city.
So let Rachel, ED, both Chris's, Larry, Joy, and Al continue their sellout and masquerade as progressives as they collect their paychecks by not offending anyone on the right. Any mention of right-wing racism just might cause Priebus to call his bitch, Phil Griffin, and have any of you fired.
Yes MSNBC staff, watch out what you say, Rience Priebus is watching.
MSNBC doesn't deserve my support.
I will not apologize for pointing out the racist strand that runs through the right-wing GOP and Tea Party, and will continue to demonstrate just how deep and ugly racism in America remains.