Part XVII in our national conversation about race
As of 10:50 a.m., this was the lead banner headline at the Drudge Report:
WHITE STUDENT BEATEN ON SCHOOL BUS; CROWD CHEERS 
Of all the thing’s occurring in the nation and the world, that’s the story that Matthew Drudge believes his readers will be most interested in seeing and will draw the most traffic. And nobody ever said that Drudge does not know his audience.
The incident occurred in St. Louis. It’s ugly. But ladies and gentlemen, it ain’t national news. I can remember witnessing probably a dozen such instances in my own high school years, with kids responding to a fight between their peers in just the fashion they do in the video. Most of you can probably say the same. I guarantee you something similar has occurred dozens of times this very day on school buses or at high schools around the country, and in most instances it had nothing to do with race and everything to do with the fact that high school can be closer to “Lord of the Flies” than most people want to admit.
But in this case the kid getting picked on is white. The boy who attacks him is black. And there’s video. So in Drudge’s world, it’s the biggest news story of the day.
There has been a lot of discussion in the past week about the role that racial resentment among white males plays in the conservative movement. I think it’s easy to exaggerate it, and I think it’s wrong to try to discredit all opposition to Barack Obama as somehow race-related, because it just isn’t. Obama is trying to do big things, and big things need to be questioned and challenged. We have to have room for that in our national life.
However, Drudge’s reaction weighs very, very heavily on the other side of the scale. He understands better than most how much power racial resentment has among his readership, and he is clearly pandering to it. It is compelling proof that for many, this is not about policies or the national debt or health care reform but something much more primal.
UPDATE, as of 3 p.m.: Just saw this from Hank Johnson, Democratic congressman from Georgia, referring to his colleague from South Carolina, Joe Wilson.
“”It did not help the cause of diversity and tolerance with his remarks. If I was a betting man, I’d say it instigated more racist sentiment, feeling that it’s OK, that you don’t have to bury it down,” Johnson said.
“I guess we’ll probably have folks putting on white hoods and white uniforms again and riding through the countryside, intimidating people,” he said. “That’s the logical conclusion if this kind of attitude is not rebuked.”
That’s crazy talk. That’s garbage and nonsense. You can’t justify charges of racism on the words “you lie” and you certainly can’t make charges that inflammatory based on little or no evidence.
Johnson now needs to apologize, publicly, the sooner the better. That’s just wrong.
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184 comments Add your comment
Normal
September 15th, 2009
11:35 am
I wonder how much they paid those actors…
TaxPayer
September 15th, 2009
11:39 am
And, did you see the crowd that was standing around cheering them on. It was big. Just look at the aerial shot.
thomas
September 15th, 2009
11:42 am
So with your last line Jay are you saying that Matthew Drudge is only doing this for racial reasons because he knows how his reades will react?
Could the same then be said for you with the tone and scope of your pieces on Black leaders saying that a certain political position is only for blacks, and how different that scope was and depth of the piece when someone said something that COULD be seen as racist like uppity?
Would it be fair to then call you a race baiter as well since one would assume you would know what would garnish the most interest and create the best dialog on your blog?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 15th, 2009
11:44 am
Every time you race mongering bigots, including the “president” of the United States, open your racist mouths, you further divide this great nation.
And that, is the larger story.
Bosch
September 15th, 2009
11:47 am
Andy,
Wasn’t it you who brought this story up?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 15th, 2009
11:48 am
The Urinal collapses in a heap at the very mention of SPOKEN or IMPLIED racism, using each and every instance, whether true or false, to pontificate in “righteous” indignation.
Now it’s no big deal.
Nooses?
Spray paint?
Hookers?
And that, is the larger story.
USinUK
September 15th, 2009
11:49 am
“But ladies and gentlemen, it ain’t national news”
of course it’s national news … whiner said it is.
@@
September 15th, 2009
11:49 am
jay, I have to agree with thomas…it seems you never miss the opportunity to bait your readers with racially exploitive pieces.
That kid was wearing glasses. The rule is you never attack someone wearing glasses. He didn’t seem to interesting in confrontation. Must’ve been a liberal.
How “udderly” ridiculous.
Jay
September 15th, 2009
11:49 am
No, Thomas.
What we’ve seen in Atlanta and Memphis are calls for racial loyalty on behalf of a historically repressed minority. While I think that’s wrong and self-destructive in this day and age, I also think its far less dangerous and morally offensive than claims of racial superiority among a historically dominant majority.
They are not the same thing, and to pretend otherwise is dishonest.
USinUK
September 15th, 2009
11:53 am
Taxpayer –
the thing that killed me with the Promise Keepers / Million-Teabaggers shot is that it took all of 2 seconds to look at that picture and say “there’s no Native American Museum in the picture, it’s obviously old” … yet, we still had the numpties on the right saying “noooo … I was theeeeerrrreee … it was so rreeeeaaaaallll”
Doggone/GA
September 15th, 2009
11:54 am
“How “udderly” ridiculous”
Ok, I’m trying to figure out what cows have to do with this story.
david wayne osedach
September 15th, 2009
11:56 am
Kanye West? Serena Williams? Comments anyone?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 15th, 2009
11:57 am
So now Drudge is the issue, eh?
And that, is the larger story.
GEORGE AMERICAN
September 15th, 2009
11:58 am
DRUDGE’S EXPOSE’ IS A SMALL EXAMPLE OF EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AMERICA.
DECENT AMERICAN’S ARE BEING BEATEN DOWN BY TYRANTS AND BULLIES WHILE THE SOCIALIST STAND AROUND A CHEAR.
HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE IT? STAND UP AGAINST TRANNY!!!
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 15th, 2009
11:59 am
dwo- Kanye West was a POS when Bush was in office, so we can scratch his ass off the list.
And that, is the larger story.
Doggone/GA
September 15th, 2009
12:01 pm
“CHEAR” – still pushing that new language Engrish I see
Brad S
September 15th, 2009
12:02 pm
Pandering and baiting from Drudge and the “alternative” media? These patrons of truth are strict unassailable adherents to the spirit of Edward R. Morrow and journalistic integrity?
Certainly, you jest.
Hef
September 15th, 2009
12:04 pm
As long as race is brought up for valid or non valid reasons it will be relevant. So to have constructive discussions on the subject long term is a good thing overall.
stands for decibels
September 15th, 2009
12:07 pm
I’m sorry. My post @ 11.59 should have read:
Matt Drudge, and anyone who relies on his c. 1996 html nightmare for news, is a weenie.
that is all.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 15th, 2009
12:08 pm
Now you can add Limbaugh to the fray.
He noticed the mob action too.
@@
September 15th, 2009
12:08 pm
Ok, I’m trying to figure out what cows have to do with this story.
jay “sucks” when claiming higher ground.
jay feeds off of Drudge for the sole purpose of gaining reaction from readers.
Six of one, half a dozen of another in my opinion.
NRB3
September 15th, 2009
12:09 pm
Biggest hypocritical piece of trash ever to appear in AJC and that says a lot.
If the races were reversed, well…we all know what it would be like. Nuff said.
stands for decibels
September 15th, 2009
12:09 pm
Speaking of crackpot news outlets–oh dear. I see that CNS news is now an advertiser on Jay’s blog.
I’ll have to think of nice things to say about them I guess.
Turd Ferguson
September 15th, 2009
12:13 pm
But of course there is no uproar. However, the beating this white kid took, he will get over and has learned a very valuable lesson regarding trust. The little thugs involved will most likely face some silly charges ie slap on the wrist which will just, one day, embolden them to rob the nearest licka stoe, get caught and serve out a nice long sentence.
In the grand scheme of things it all evens out. There are plenty of jail cells held in reserve for these ghetto rats.
ALL WELCOME!
Joey
September 15th, 2009
12:17 pm
Well he changed it to weenie. How nice of him.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
September 15th, 2009
12:19 pm
Well, it’s old news anyway. It’s got to the point you can’t even use the words you use all the time around the house to talk about people of another race. So after a night of jawing at the trailer I got to practice by saying “Those People” 10 times before I leave for work in the a.m. They done drove us underground with this politically correct stuff. I even try not to use any words beginning with “N” when I’m away from friends and family. I’m scared to death I’ll be out in public somewhere and all of a sudden the N-word will come out real natural like. And I’m not talking about N-words that end with “O” either.
So it’s hard to live in the South now, what with all Those People walking about and you got to talk to somebody about what happened in a day. If it keeps on like this we’ll just need to hum when we need to say certain words. The libruls might as well come in and put duct tape over our mouths.
And I’m not suprized about what happened to that poor White boy. We know Those People all hate us. And we ain’t done much to them to deserve it. This is what happens when you get these Civil Rights laws and Those People get all uppity.
Have a good p.m. everybody.
T
September 15th, 2009
12:21 pm
So, do the white children in the back hate themselves. Here comes the non-white guilt. lol
Pennsylvanian
September 15th, 2009
12:21 pm
“HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE IT? STAND UP AGAINST TRANNY!!!”
I need to pay more attention. Who has come out as a transvestite?
Hef
September 15th, 2009
12:22 pm
USinUK@11:53-kinda like the million man march a few years ago.Manipulation of numbers(or even pix’s) to garner support/enthusiasm for a cause is pretty common.
Rant
September 15th, 2009
12:25 pm
It’s nothing primal, it’s not about Drudge, IT IS the double standard that is the larger story and issue!!!
pat
September 15th, 2009
12:26 pm
First of all, it’s the police who said the attack was racially motivated. Second, you are as guilty as you are accusing Drudge of being for using race to bolster your readership by being racially provactive. Third, if the races were flipped and it were white students beating blacks because of race, it damn sure would be national news. Forth, those a-holes should be charge with assult and serve time in jail. Fifth, the bus driver should be fired.
Public Option Now.
September 15th, 2009
12:27 pm
The N word used to describe Republoputzotards is Nutjob.
pat
September 15th, 2009
12:29 pm
@@, you are correct in your sentiment that Mr. Bookmen is being every bit the race whore he is accusing Drudge of being, by using Drudge’s story no less.
Public Option Now.
September 15th, 2009
12:29 pm
Bluedogs stupidly write Waxman to sub Rahm Emanuel’s deal with pharma that would forbid Medicare to allow competitive bidding for drugs. That’s the exact reason Medicare is headed into the red in 8 years that Repuboputzotards crow about not understanding that they set that up.
Waxman will tell them to shove it, as will the Progressive caucus. It’s simply the hookers for big pharmaceuticals turning their Bunny Ranch tricks in one more position.
TaxPayer
September 15th, 2009
12:31 pm
Doggone/GA
September 15th, 2009
11:54 am
“How “udderly” ridiculous”
Ok, I’m trying to figure out what cows have to do with this story.
It’s called the herd mentality. Just look at those Republicans lining up to follow their leader[s] over the cliff.
jt
September 15th, 2009
12:33 pm
Never let a crisis go to waste.
President Obama could put an out of work ACORN worker on each bus.
And it would’nt cost US anything , I’m sure.
Midori
September 15th, 2009
12:36 pm
@@, Andy and Pat: http://cagle.com/working/090914/darcy.jpg
DebbieDoRight
September 15th, 2009
12:36 pm
pat: And the police don’t lie!! Ask that l little old lady in Atlanta!! Oh wait, she got blown away by cops who then planted drugs on her. My Bad!!
David Wayne Gacey: How about Federer and Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe? Oh wait, they’re not black so their “breakdowns” can be overlooked. Sorry. My Bad!!
When is the UNITED in United States gonna start happening? I guess not in my lifetime, nor my children’s or grand children’s or great grand children’s or………
Midori
September 15th, 2009
12:38 pm
and good ole jt: http://images.politico.com/global/090915_cartoon_600.jpg
Truth
September 15th, 2009
12:40 pm
DebbirDoRight… Then start being a part of the solution and not the problem.
DebbieDoRight
September 15th, 2009
12:42 pm
pat: Third, if the races were flipped and it were white students beating blacks because of race, it damn sure would be national news. Forth, those a-holes should be charge with assult and serve time in jail. Fifth, the bus driver should be fired.
Small “p” pat, you have no idea what you’re saying. You couldn’t possibly!! I’m thinking that maybe your meds haven’t kicked in yet; and right now your delusional. Perhaps if you drink a little rum with them (your meds) they’ll start kicking in faster. Just a thought.
DebbieDoRight
September 15th, 2009
12:44 pm
Truth, name your solutions. What!?! You can’t?!? Then I guess YOU’RE part of the problem too.
TaxPayer
September 15th, 2009
12:46 pm
Jay, if you’re out there, do you have any insight into what held up my 12:31 post.
Truth
September 15th, 2009
12:47 pm
DebbieDoRight… Your rhetoric is a prime example:
“Small “p” pat, you have no idea what you’re saying. You couldn’t possibly!! I’m thinking that maybe your meds haven’t kicked in yet; and right now your delusional. Perhaps if you drink a little rum with them (your meds) they’ll start kicking in faster. Just a thought.”
You want a solution??? Quit making childish pokes at people that disagree with you.
AmVet
September 15th, 2009
12:47 pm
Man, these southern crackers want a race war, don’t they?!
Too bad we didn’t get a threatening black man as president instead of this milquetoast. Then talk of succession would be more than talk. And the southern traitors could show what REAL men they are.
You know, to make it up to mammy and pappy for failing to keep Those People in their place way back when.
ANY, and I mean ANY, chance to frame the discourse in the context of White vs. black and impotent thugs like the WHITE Welcher, NRB (at least that’s it name this week), mystery meat and RB from Gwinnett are jumping on it like frogs on a June bug.
And their silent neighbors like WHITE Welchers posse commode-atatis (you know who you are) give tacit approval. And vote to keep at a minimum, the status quo, and at best a return to the “good old Jim Crow days”. 400 years of murders, lynchings and organized brutality just ain’t enough for some! (Besides it was their daddies and not them that did it all!)
And after Those People, their boundless irrational hatred is directed at the Mexacalis. And the Mooslims. And the Asians. And the Jews (don’t kid yourself). And the qu-eers and d-ykes. And ALL non-Christians. ESPECIALLY LIBERALS!!! And anybody else they perceive as a threat to their godly, conservative and Christian cross-burning nation. As glorified by TV charlatans and frauds like Robertson and Falwell ad nauseum.
And it is an irrefutable fact that justice for minorities and women and the poor ALWAYS comes first through the blood and tears of the oppressed themselves and then LIBERALS.
But NEVER conservatives. EVER. Just as with their Chosen BushCo Crusades they only TALK about justice, sacrifice, honor and equality but never actually DO anything.
And alas, the garden-variety hick aka the poor misunderstood, unrepresented, mistreated, Republican white southern male wonders why all of the people mentioned above don’t view him as a friend. Or vote for Stars & Bars waving, closet-bigots like Jim “Macaca” Allen. Or frequent sleazy bars like the one that “conservative” scumbag in Marietta owns with the Obama monkey t-shirts.
As long as these WHITE Welcher bigots keep showing their true color – whites only – they’ll get to spend more and more and more time at the back of the electoral bus.
Which is fine by me and the rest of the reasoned and reasonable America…
DebbieDoRight
September 15th, 2009
12:50 pm
Midori: That last link you posted, how TRUE!! It’s a “lack of respect” when someone of color looses their cool; but let some good ole boy from SC do it and they’re Republican heroes!! Amazing!!
Hef
September 15th, 2009
12:51 pm
DebbieDoRight-Do you not think it would be national news if the roles were reversed? It may not be the top story today,but 2nd or 3rd you betcha.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 15th, 2009
12:52 pm
And after Those People, their boundless irrational hatred is directed at the Mexacalis. And the Mooslims. And the Asians. And the Jews (don’t kid yourself). And the qu-eers and d-ykes. And ALL non-Christians. ESPECIALLY LIBERALS!!! And anybody else they perceive as a threat to their godly, conservative and Christian cross-burning nation. As glorified by TV charlatans and frauds like Robertson and Falwell ad nauseum.
Yeah, we should instead form a mob and beat one of them up, cheering the whole time and then it would be no problemo.
Geez, why didn’t we think of that?
DebbieDoRight
September 15th, 2009
12:54 pm
Truth: Here’s a hint for you, if you don’t like my posts, then don’t read them. Works for me!!
Hef: No I don’t. You’re talking to a kid who grew up in Washington state — I’ve seen more black kids getting ganged up on by whites then the reverse. I haven’t seen not ONE article about it in any paper yet though.
Truth
September 15th, 2009
12:56 pm
DebbieDoRight… I was making a point and answering your question.