Immitation is Not Flattering
Posted 01-17-2012 at 04:25 PM by Grandma Bates
This morning on NPR there was a discussion of the Republican debate. They briefly mentioned that it was being sponsored by the "Souther Republican Leadership Conference." I nearly dropped my breakfast.
The SRLC is a group that has been around for a while, but I only just now heard about this group. Clearly I need to get out more. On a personal level, I found it shocking that they would appropriate this particular name, and it is even more shocking that I cannot find much about any controversy over the name.
So on this, the day after the day we set aside to honor the Rev. Dr. King I spent some time on google looking up the SRLC. Without even searching for it a number of racial aspects immediately popped up:
VIDEO: At Republican Leadership Conference, Obama Impersonator Tells Racist Jokes; Audience Laughs | ThinkProgress
Dispatch from the Southern Republican Leadership Conference: Racist Hicks Speak Ebonics, Closet case Homophobes Tell Gay Jokes and Other Memorable Moments… - By Alexander Zaitchik - The eXiled
The Overwhelming Diversity of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference: one woman, one person of color. // Current TV
My first thoughts on this choice of names was that it perhaps it is a rather perverse honor that the Rev. Dr. King's impact is so pervasive as to promote this sort of ironic mimicry. After searching and learning more about this organization the word "perverse" seems the most appropriate way to view it.
Mostly, though, I am shocked that the appropriation of the name seemed to have gone by without question. I know that NPR is trying hard too avoid the "liberal" tag, but this seems such a brazen choice as to invite inquiry. To breeze past this name on the day after Martin Luther King Day without comment is a shame. We should be better than this.
The SRLC is a group that has been around for a while, but I only just now heard about this group. Clearly I need to get out more. On a personal level, I found it shocking that they would appropriate this particular name, and it is even more shocking that I cannot find much about any controversy over the name.
So on this, the day after the day we set aside to honor the Rev. Dr. King I spent some time on google looking up the SRLC. Without even searching for it a number of racial aspects immediately popped up:
VIDEO: At Republican Leadership Conference, Obama Impersonator Tells Racist Jokes; Audience Laughs | ThinkProgress
Dispatch from the Southern Republican Leadership Conference: Racist Hicks Speak Ebonics, Closet case Homophobes Tell Gay Jokes and Other Memorable Moments… - By Alexander Zaitchik - The eXiled
The Overwhelming Diversity of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference: one woman, one person of color. // Current TV
My first thoughts on this choice of names was that it perhaps it is a rather perverse honor that the Rev. Dr. King's impact is so pervasive as to promote this sort of ironic mimicry. After searching and learning more about this organization the word "perverse" seems the most appropriate way to view it.
Mostly, though, I am shocked that the appropriation of the name seemed to have gone by without question. I know that NPR is trying hard too avoid the "liberal" tag, but this seems such a brazen choice as to invite inquiry. To breeze past this name on the day after Martin Luther King Day without comment is a shame. We should be better than this.
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