The Myth of Bigotry

When did it become almost impossible to disagree with an individual, a group, or a government without being labeled a bigot?

Many of those who didn't support Hillary in the 2008 election (or later, for Secretary of State) were labeled "sexist." Question whether we want a man named to the Senate by a potential criminal, and you just may be a "racist." Disagree with anything Israel has ever done, and you're obviously "anti-Semitic."

Can I call bullshit, now?

In the same way as some on the right trivialize the awful acts of Stalin & some on the left trivialize the awful acts of Hitler by carelessly using the terms "Stalinist" & "Nazi" to describe the parties & people with which they don't agree politically, this intentional and foolish misuse of the terms of bigotry trivializes real gender, racial, & religious bigotry and those who suffered under them.

Yes, just as there are still real Nazis, there are real sexists, racists, and anti-Semites, and yes, I've little doubt that a few (at least) were/are opposed to Hillary, Roland Burris, and Israel's recent actions in Gaza. But there are also many reasonable, intelligent people who're opposed to these same people or activities for reasons that have nothing to do with gender, race, or religion, and it's a pretty safe bet that these folks, whether right or wrong on the issue itself, far outnumber the bigots.

Don't be fooled by those who so easily play the bigotry card. They are cowering behind these hateful terms in an effort to avoid having to make a substantive argument, trying to shame you away from your well-thought-out position (unless you actually are a bigot, of course), and in the process, trivializing those who really have suffered from religious, racial or gender bigotry. It's a cheap trick, and those who choose to engage in it are generally just as aware of it as you & I.