We’ve certainly suspected this to be the case, but now we have evidence confirming the tie between teabaggery and racism. Here’s a clip from Newsweek:
…A new survey by the University of Washington Institute for the Study of Ethnicity, Race & Sexuality offers fresh insight into the racial attitudes of Tea Party sympathizers. “The data suggests that people who are Tea Party supporters have a higher probability”—25 percent, to be exact—”of being racially resentful than those who are not Tea Party supporters,” says Christopher Parker, who directed the study. “The Tea Party is not just about politics and size of government. The data suggests it may also be about race”…
These results are bolstered by a recent New York Times/CBS News surveyfinding that white Tea Party supporters were more likely to believe that “the Obama administration favors blacks over whites” and that “too much has been made of the problems facing black people.” The survey also showed that Tea Party sympathizers are whiter, older, wealthier, and more well-educated than the average American. They’re “just as likely to be employed, and more likely to describe their economic situation as very or fairly good,” according to a summary of the poll…
Given modern societal norms, “they know they can’t use any overtly racist language,” he contends. “So they use coded language”—questioning the patriotism of the president or complaining about “socialist” schemes to redistribute wealth…
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It was also proven that water is wet.
This is news?
I think that was Knox’s point too.
To my knowledge, this is the first substantive poll to confirm what we’ve all expected.
Anxiously awaiting EOS’s response.
When a survey is conducted by an assistant professor, the accuracy of the survey and related conclusions must be weighed against the age and experience of the researcher. While Newsweek may be quick to leap to such goofy conclusions about Tea Party supporters, the asst. professor himself does not. Here is what the professor actually said about his survey in an interview:
“One way in which to view these preliminary results is that we should remain cautious, and not jump to firm conclusions.”
“Indeed, my results are relevant only to the states in which the survey was conducted….”
“Another reason to proceed with caution is that I don’t have an item that directly measures tea party membership.”
“…it’s entirely possible that I’ve underestimated the effect of the tea party on political attitudes, and will likely do so in future analysis on its effect on political behavior.”
“Moreover, I make no claim that the data is representative of the country. ”
When asked if there were any other polls or studies that support his view, the asst. professor replied, “At first glance, there are a few polls that may corroborate my findings. ”
This doesn’t sound anywhere near as definitive as Newsweek might like to portray things. Add to that the professor’s academic focus – to seek, find, and emphasize racial factors in his publications – I’m not surprised about his conclusions:
“A Black Man in the White House?: The Role of Racism and Patriotism in the 2008 Presidential Election.” Du Bois Review 6 (Spring 2009): 193-217. (with M. Sawyer and C. Towler)
“On the Meaning and Measurement of America Patriotism: A Mutliracial, Multidimensional Perspective.” (under review).
“Back to the Future: Exploring the Origins of the White Backlash.” (with Tatische Nteta and Taeku Lee).
“Political Allegiance: Assessing the Role of Race and Patriotism.” (with Mark Sawyer)
“Race, Patriotism, and Presidential Support,” (with Garrett Glasgow).
“I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!”
I can’t believe you guys believe your own bullshit.
No one needs the work of CNN nor of the “Assisstant Professor” (as if to say that we shouldn’t trust his results just because he doesn’t have tenure yet.) to convince anyone about the racist realities of the fleabaggers. You are correct to point out that the media repeatedly dumbifies and overstates academic results, but I think that it’s plainly obvious to anyone who has ears and eyes that a good part of the fleabagger platform is anti-immigrant, anti-minority and anti-poor.
Why is it so hard to admit? Are the numerous “Speak English or Die” signs at fleabagger rallies not enough? Or calls against all the people living “off the taxpayers dime” as I was accused of not but a week ago by one of your ilk.
One thing I learned from living among racists and bigots is that denial runs thick.
Maybe you’re one of them.
I don’t have the link here, but someone once posted footage of a Tea Bagger spitting in the face of a black Congressman. You don’t need an academic study to see what’s happening. These people who claim to be outraged because of our President’s deficit spending didn’t raise a god-damned finger when Bush took us from surplus to deficit. This isn’t about economics. This is about poor whitey feeling left behind. It has everything to do with race.
Here’s the link to multiple video perspectives from that event. See for yourself what was said – and what wasn’t….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y17LKXBrkk
I have to agree with the cowgirl’s statement on the link:
“Not Racist
Not Violent
No Longer Silent”
The real racists are those who engage in continual race baiting as a means to denigrate others unjustly and further their “progressive” agenda.
Yeah, that black Congressman didn’t have someone spit in his face. Some good American patriot just gave him a Freedom Shower.
Editorial cartoonist David Horsey has a great comic on what really concerns the Tea Partiers.
http://www.seattlepi.com/horsey/viewbydate.asp?id=2076