Clothes Make The Man

Almost all of us have a favorite pair of jeans, of shorts, a T-shirt or sweatshirt that we love to put on as we enjoy a day of relaxation. But from an early age we are socialized to believe that there is a certain way that we dress for more upscale occasions. Sometimes we refer to that as "dressing up."

We are taught that a certain mode of dress gives one a look of greater seriousness, and as we grow up, we internalize this way of thinking. Many of us sport a different look when we attend a house of worship than we did the day before. On a first date with someone we are extremely attracted to, most attempt to wear something that they think presents them in the most appealing light to that individual. Cameras posted in human resources offices would record many men wearing suits and ties to interviews for positions that would never require such attire. I wore a suit to my son's high school graduation - held outside on a ninety-degree evening - because I'm used to wearing a suit, and I wanted to, despite the fact that it wasn't required.

That said, the suit didn't make me a different person at the graduation; I was simply wearing different clothing than I do on some other occasions. To a certain extent, this is an accurate depiction of many of the members of the Tea Party, both literally and figuratively.

One of the shows currently on Broadway is entitled "Race" - and while I admit to not having seen it as of yet, its' presence on the Great White Way is indicative of the fact that the issue of race is one that has hung over this land since 1619 and continues to do so. While some feel that the manifestation of Martin Luther King's 1963 dream was the election of Barack Obama in 2008, the issue of race has not left the building - and we have not totally entered into a "post-racial" society.

Tea Party members have demonstrated that on far too many occasions to document, from spitting on members of the Congressional Black Caucus during the health care debate, to brandishing signs featuring the "N-word" and racist depictions of President Obama, as well as bringing guns to a Washington-area rally. I certainly realize that Mr. Obama is not the first president that people have had disagreements with, and I love the fact that this nation is one in which we can air our differences with one another - but as my Aunt Sue used to say, we can disagree without being disagreeable. Many of us on the left had our differences with President George W. Bush - but our problem with him was not with the way he looked; it was with the way he led. "N-word" posters, the absurd "birthers," and so many other things make plain that their problem with Obama is the way he looks.

So when the NAACP calls the Tea Party out at its' national convention, the Tea Party - and the Republican Party - goes crazy...because our society has progressed to the point that it is no longer cool to be racist. If they are outed in their racism, they will be thought of as lacking legitimacy - so they lash out at the NAACP; however one Tea Party leader, Mark Williams, couldn't help but showing his true colors on his blog, implying that Blacks only want to hit-up hard-working people for a flat-screen TV in each room. But in the midst of reading about his remarks, I saw some screen shots of him from recent TV appearances - and he was wearing a tie or a suit and tie.

Then it hit me: Mark was dressing up. He looked to the suit to make his words legit - but I see beyond the suit he wears in 2010, and envision him in a white hood in 1950. Tea Party members that carry those signs to the rallies in 2010 may be the philosophical descendants of those carrying a noose in 1950. I would urge Tea Party members who have genuine issues with government to air them in a respectful manner - but throw those racists out on their butts. Then the rest of us might gain some respect for your movement.