WASHINGTON, D.C. – Imagine the media outrage if a Republican elected official or conservative pundit said “we got to do something about these Asians coming in and opening up businesses and dirty shops.” That individual would be subject to calls for resignation, corporate boycotts and firing from their employer. Sadly, those racist remarks were publicly spoken – by a Democrat.
Former four-term Washington, D.C. Mayor and current ward 8 D.C. Councilman Marion Barry made that statement this past Tuesday when he gave his Democrat primary victory speech in front of supporters.
“They (Asians) ought to go. I’m going to say that right now. But we need African-American businesspeople to be able to take their places, too,” Barry added.
Where is the outrage? Where are the liberal pundits, Democratic officials and editorial pages calling for Barry to step down? Their silence is deafening.
The double-standard that exists in the press is troubling to say the least. If it wasn’t for new media outlets such as bloggers and non-profit news organizations many of these stories would never see the light of day.
When former White House Reporter Helen Thomas told a video blogger that “Jews should get the Hell out of Palestine,” and go home to Poland and Germany, the story was ignored by the old media. The blogosphere reported the story which resulted in a White House condemnation of the remarks and Thomas resigning her position with Hearst Newspapers. Not until the White House recognized the story did the traditional media begin reporting on the story.
