Comments on: Quick Hit: “Racism without Racists”

By: Lindra

Lindra — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:53:41 +0000

And to get vaguely back on topic, I think the Ta-Nehsi Coates’ commentary linked upthread by Scott Madin has the right of it.

By: Lindra

Lindra — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:35:37 +0000

Alison S — I find that in Australia, too; everyone I’ve read or seen is unanimous in being utterly flabbergasted by what’s coming out of the US these days.

I can’t vote, obviously, but it’s pretty clear to me that the world at large, if it could, would vote Obama, because this is just … insane. WTF, America? I knew you were that country run by crazy dictatorial fundamentalists trying to kill the rest of us — but seriously? Seriously, you pride yourself on being the Great Democratic Experiment and you’re actually arriving at the possibility of becoming a theocratic fascist state for real? WTF???

I can’t wrap my head around it either.

By: Alison S

Alison S — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:42:52 +0000

Wow, I got replies from all 3 siteowners! This is my five minutes of fame!
Personally, I think it’s largely a matter of biology. All four of my and my husband’s parents are still alive, and are aged between 77 and 84, and certainly none of them would have the physical stamina to hold down a demanding job, mental capabilities aside (I quite fancy the idea of my 82 year old mum as world leader – she’d do a better job than lots of them); and most of them became a lot less active pretty soon after the age of 75, sadly. I just don’t see how it can be sensible for someone to step into such a gruelling role at that stage of life, even if they were highly suitable otherwise.
I move in reasonably conservative circles in England – middle class, middle aged – and I haven’t had a single conversation with anyone who can begin to get their heads round how the McCain/Palin team could begin to be taken seriously. Everyone I’ve talked to just thinks it’s terrifying.

By: Sweet Machine

Sweet Machine — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:11:56 +0000

So yeah, I would say it’s ageist to act as if he’s a doddering fool or has one foot in the grave — but I’d also say it’s merely realistic to acknowledge that a man in his seventies is far more likely than a man in his forties to have a health crisis and/or deteriorate mentally in the next 8 years.

This is what I think, too. It also seems likely that if he were likely to suffer from certain conditions that causes cognitive impairment, he’d have started showing signs of it already. So yeah, my take is that assuming he’s senile just because he’s in his 70s is ageist–but wondering if his health status is likely to deteriorate while he’s in office is not.

By: fillyjonk

fillyjonk — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:57:34 +0000

Not to mention McCain’s melanomas, plural. I don’t think he’s remotely senile — out of touch, maybe, fucked in the head, yes, but not senile. But considering his phenomenally incompetent running mate, you betcha I think his age and especially his health are relevant.

By: kateharding

kateharding — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:37:22 +0000

is it ageism to think that someone in his early seventies might be getting to the point where taking on the leadership of (arguably still) the most powerful country in the world, for four years, might not be the wisest idea, policies, personality, running mate and race aside?

That’s a tough question. Certainly, there are plenty of people McCain’s age who are healthy, sharp as tacks, and will likely remain so for some time. But statistically speaking, there’s a much greater chance that something major could go wrong with his physical or mental health in the next 8 years than Obama’s, and I don’t think it’s ageist to acknowledge that — especially when the next in line for the presidency would be wildly underqualified.

McCain’s a year younger than my dad, so I do cringe a bit when people talk like he’s on death’s door just because he’s over 70. McCain’s mother’s still kicking at 96, so he’s got good genes on one side, at least. And as much as McCain makes me go “WTF?” on pretty much a daily basis, I don’t think it’s because he’s senile — I think it’s because he’s an asshole. So yeah, I would say it’s ageist to act as if he’s a doddering fool or has one foot in the grave — but I’d also say it’s merely realistic to acknowledge that a man in his seventies is far more likely than a man in his forties to have a health crisis and/or deteriorate mentally in the next 8 years.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:48:50 +0000

@ Allison:

It is actually thought by some people that it isn’t about trying to get McCain in office but Palin. I have heard of some actually wishing that McCain would get elected, then die so Palin could take over.

IF that IS the case, then it would make sense.

By: Alison S

Alison S — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:18:26 +0000

Since I am British, I have no vote in all this, but the comment someone made upthread about McCain and ageism made me wonder: is it ageism to think that someone in his early seventies might be getting to the point where taking on the leadership of (arguably still) the most powerful country in the world, for four years, might not be the wisest idea, policies, personality, running mate and race aside? Am I out of line in thinking that? Biased by years of dealing with elderly relatives? Or is it a valid viewpoint?

By: keshmeshi

keshmeshi — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:40:19 +0000

Those IATs are interesting. They showed that I have a slight automatic preference for fat people. That surprises even me. Despite my interest in FA, I assumed that I’d have an automatic preference for thin people, since that seems to be the norm in our society.

I also have an automatic preference for Obama, a preference that also made me automatically associate him with being an American while having no such association for McCain.

By: Tiana

Tiana — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:27:38 +0000

I’ve just done the race IAT and I think it’s bullshit. By the time that they switched everything around, I was so accustomed to the previous order that it was no wonder I made more mistakes! And that applied to both words and pictures, so I don’t really think it told me anything about myself. Which is sort of sad because I was interested in the results …