In the wake of the election of the Historic Obama, as reporters are pressed by their editors to perhaps consider that large 47.3 percent of the electorate that didn’t vote for History, out comes the idea of conservatives gripped by white-man panic, with stories soaked in sociologists tagging gun owners with a "deep-seated fear of the armed black man," exacting "retribution for the very deep-seated legacy of slavery."
My friend Cam Edwards tipped me to this story in Wednesday's Chicago Tribune, headlined "Obama win triggers run on guns: Buyers said to fear crackdown on their rights, civil unrest." Reporting from Houston, deep in red-state rage, Howard Witt wrote the election if causing a run on gun stores for guns and ammo:
Some say they are worried that the incoming Obama administration will attempt to reimpose the ban on assault weapons that expired in 2004. Others fear the loss of their right to own handguns. A few say they are preparing to protect themselves in the event of a race war.
The voice of sanity is awarded to a member of Gun Owners for Obama:
Not every gun enthusiast is so worried. Mark Greene, a hunter and member of Gun Owners for Obama who led a grass-roots campaign for the Democrat in Tarrant County, Texas, said he regarded fears of a looming ban on assault weapons as unfounded.
"People are being pretty reactionary," Greene said. "There's a small contingent of folks in and out of the gun-owning community concerned that Obama's election is such a revolutionary change that it could portend mayhem. I think it's hysteria."
Speaking of hysteria, Witt really poured the paint on the picture of Panicked White Men by seeking out sociologist Ben Agger:
One expert sees a darker motive driving some post-election gun purchasers.
"Why are white people buying assault weapons?" said Ben Agger, a sociology professor at the University of Texas at Arlington who wrote a book about the Virginia Tech slayings. "I almost hate to say it, but there is a deep-seated fear of the armed black man, because Obama now commands the military and other instruments of the justice system. They are afraid Obama will exact retribution for the very deep-seated legacy of slavery."
One could argue that putting this quote at article's end was the reporter's realization that it was too hysterical for an earlier placement. But often reporters put a liberal or leftist thought at the end like an exclamation point, to leave the reader with a liberal impression. This thought doesn't leave an impression as much as the sensation of a brick thrown at your head. Agger also appeared with a similar thesis in an earlier story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Ben Agger said he’s concerned, though, about what is prompting fear in gun owners.
"What is the underlying motivation . . . to buy assault weapons?" asked Agger, a sociology and humanities professor at the University of Texas at Arlington who wrote There Is a Gunman on Campus: Tragedy and Terror at Virginia Tech. "Part of me worries this is an expression of the need for people who disagree with Obama to arm themselves because they entertain the thought that there could be armed conflict or possibly race war."
Can't someone prepare to oppose Obama in the political arena without bearing signs of mental illness? One senses in these articles a deep-seated loathing of gun owners, an overbroad psychological profiling.
This matches one template of the Clinton years, when Clinton opponents were painted into the fever swamps of hatred and delusion by the "mainstream media." But these reporters didn't find anything like this in the rants of the anti-Bush blogosphere or the hot talk on the left-wing radio circuit over the last eight years.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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My UTA degree just
November 15, 2008 - 11:35 ET by mulerider24My UTA degree just depreciated 80%. I've lowered it to half mast on my wall.
»→ Gunman on Campus
November 15, 2008 - 11:43 ET by Cool ArrowThere Is a Gunman on Campus
And he just killed a law abiding citizen whose concealed/carry permit was nullified when he stepped into class.
With Questions like this, why is anyone fearful?
November 15, 2008 - 12:01 ET by legacyrepublicanThis employment question doesn't make me fear the next administation ( wish there was emoticon for extreme disbelief ), does it you ...
Res Ispa Loquitor -- The thing speaks for itself, now doesn't it?!
Ben Agger: "Why
November 15, 2008 - 13:49 ET by MidAmericaBen Agger: "Why are white people buying assault weapons?" ....... "I almost hate to say it, but there is a deep-seated fear of the armed black man, because Obama now commands the military and other instruments of the justice system. They are afraid Obama will exact retribution for the very deep-seated legacy of slavery."
What we have here is a classic case of psychological 'projection'. He's ascribing a level of bigotry onto 'white' people when it's he himself that is bigoted against certain types of white people that are different from him. It seems quite rational to him to have this fear of the armed white boogey-man.
Here's an informal poll:
November 15, 2008 - 19:14 ET by ConservativeRexHere's an informal poll: Does any gun owner give a rats butt if someone calls you a racist for owning a gun? Any type of gun?
I think you know what my answer is.
Fear
November 15, 2008 - 16:12 ET by jackie3What I fear and what a number of "hicks" fear out here in "hicksville," is what could happen if a white racist does take out Obama or even tries.
We've all seen the riots in CA after the Rodney King trial. The jubilations after OJ Simpson was found not guilty.
We are not racist but we do fear riots by black people if something were to happen to Obama because the man has such a huge following and is viewed as the next Jesus by some.
The fact that many well educated, well spoken and well know black men such as Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, ect. STILL think that the black man is being suppressed, when in reality there is a "gang" organization of black men and hispanics, who have found they would rather make a living illegally rather than legally is in fact the issue.
These "pillars" blame the "white man" for ALL the black man's misfortunes. Alluring to an invisible cloak of racism that is preventing these "fine" young black men from getting good jobs and are all victims of my white skin. The fact that white people are having just as much difficulty finding a job who do not have a min. of 2 years of college seems to elude them.
The problem is simple. No college; no good paying jobs. Sometimes even with college there are no good paying jobs. I know a "white" man who has a degree who now works at Wal-mart because there is no longer a need for his expertise thanks to computers.When is see a police "wanted" list from our local city the pages are filled with the faces of young black men. A few "older" white guys and very few women of any color.
This is not the result of depression of the black man. It's a result of a rejection of school and the embracing of criminal activity as a means of support.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
As for 'Ol Ben and his theory that there is...
November 15, 2008 - 16:48 ET by ThalpyAs for 'Ol Ben and his theory that there is a "deep-seated fear of the armed black man," exacting "retribution for the very deep-seated legacy of slavery," it's pure bs! His theory is spurious at best; loony at least.
Part of me worries
November 15, 2008 - 16:53 ET by TheAssessor"Part of me worries this is an expression of the need for people who disagree with Obama to arm themselves because they entertain the thought that there could be armed conflict or possibly race war."
When you say "part of me", what does that mean? Which part of you worries? What does the other part say? Is your thinking so disorganized that you are unable to discern what you think? Or is it an excuse for an opinion you doubt is true? All of me thinks it's linguistic gymnastics for, 'I don't know what the hell I'm talking about'.
Now, the criteria for racism again?
If politically disagree with bho, I'm a racist
If I mention he's black, I'm a racist
If I say he's a community organizer, that's 'code' for racist
If I object to his associates, I'm a racist
If I'm a Republican I'm a racist
And part of someone speculates that if I own a gun I'm a racist?
Look, the only 'part of me' that's a racist is the part the media keeps assigning me in an effort to separate me from the non racists, who are who again? Someone tell me please or I won't know who to shoot when the race war comes.
It's America, not Omerica
TA... I'd be LOL if this
November 15, 2008 - 19:15 ET by bigtimerTA...
I'd be LOL if this wasn't so creepy...with obvious intentions as far as I am concerned...I am getting past sick of all of this...adn they wonder why gun sales/ammo are up all over the US...our 2nd Amendment rights are going to be chipped away any way, shape, or form these f'n leftists can do so...even if they use the race card.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
You know BT..
November 15, 2008 - 22:02 ET by TheAssessorYou know BT, you're so right. This would be a total lol if it weren't so creepy. It's like living in the real life version of The Body Snatchers... only I can't find my pod.
Thanks for the additions Kat. I knew I left some out!
It's America, not Omerica
you forgot a few
November 15, 2008 - 19:31 ET by katainkentthe term "socialist" is racist
not wanting to pay more taxes is racist (and selfish and unpatriotic)
implying large numbers of people in an inner-city population are a democrat is racist
pro-life is code for racist
and according to the Daily KOS "Hockey Mom" is a code for "white mom" which is a code for racist
*eye roll*
I hope there is a book of code issued soon, I am losing track of what is 'ok' to say.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
Indeed..
November 15, 2008 - 16:55 ET by ginagwen7..there is a deep seated loathing of gun owners by these limp-wristed liberals. I believe it stems from the self-reliance demonstrated by gun-owners." How dare someone want to protect themselves instead of relying on the police and waiting passively for peace and harmony? " Or for the hunting gun-owner: "How dare they kill and eat an innocent creature instead of getting their meat from the grocery store?"
"I almost hate to say it,
November 15, 2008 - 17:17 ET by motherbelt"I almost hate to say it, but there is a deep-seated fear of the armed black man,-Ben Agger, Sociology Professor.
Really, professor? And on what do you base your assessment?
You have absolutely nothing to back up that statement other than your own fevered imagination.
But it makes a good story, doesn't it, not to mention getting your name in the paper?
That is just shameless!
There is a deep-seated need in college professors to portray themselves as experts on any subject that comes to hand- motherbelt
There, see? I can do it too!
motherbelt
November 15, 2008 - 17:32 ET by"I almost hate to say it, but there is a deep-seated fear of the armed black man,-Ben Agger, Sociology Professor.
well that's simply because he almost hates to lie but if it helps the agenda hey the ends justify the means
“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.” -Chief Justice John Roberts
A disarmed citizen is
November 15, 2008 - 18:58 ET by SlicksterA disarmed citizen is nothing more than a subject. In spite of the PC BS white americans fought to build and preserve this country, blacks did not. No only needs to look at Zimbabwe and and South Africa to see what happens when a country is turned over to leftist blacks.
It's the ECONOMY
November 15, 2008 - 19:03 ET by TN MomIt's the ECONOMY STUPID!
Home safes are on the rise also! I fail to see how increasing gun sales (and home safes) have anything to do with race.
Everyone knows that Dems will take away guns if they get the chance, so people are buying them up. I read on another blog that Obama is the NRA's best spokesperson in decades!! No racist agenda here...
Reverse implication
November 15, 2008 - 20:25 ET by pinadpullerIsn't this article implying that blacks steal their guns?
What did the election in Kenya do for the sale of machetes?
TN Mom
November 15, 2008 - 20:42 ET by Rob Bthe home safes are for all the money we pulled out of the market do you really want to leave all that cash liein aound that also the reason for the gun sales
im gonna shoot the frist sonbitch that comes round here'an tries steal from me
Live Free or Die
Rob B
November 15, 2008 - 21:02 ET by TN MomExactly!! I was reading an article (hot air website?) on soaring gun sales. ALL the comments-and there were tons- all comments were about DEFENDING person and property.
Over the past 2-3 years crime has soared in memphis, TN. In 2007, they led the nation as #1 most violent crimes. If you must go to memphis, go armed and move the safety mode on all guns!
wow
November 16, 2008 - 03:01 ET by WesenWow, the article makes it sound like white people are fearful of armed black people in the same way black people are afraid of German Shepherds. The racial profiling of whites is breath taking. If Barry's not going to take our guns then a decent show of faith on his part when he takes office is to reimburse the money we've just spent on them.
we know!!!!
November 16, 2008 - 11:43 ET by tonemeisteri'd rather prepare for a "worst case scenario" than be trapped by it. i'm old enough to remember '68.and my father driving me through a nearby large metro city that was looted. 40 years later it still looks the same. you burn it ,you fix it.
"Black man with a gun" is
November 16, 2008 - 11:47 ET by JohnM"Black man with a gun" is the name of an excellent book and website (www.blackmanwithagun.com), written by Ken Blanchard, an African-American and 2nd Amendment advocate.
Interestingly, Ken's research actually reveals the racist anti-black roots of the gun-control movement, which seeks to keep blacks disarmed, out of fear.
I wonder how professor Agger would respond?