This is not about politics...and yet it is.

I am finally going to join my fellow bloggers and say something. But instead of re-examining issues that are currently being talked about (the most recent, but check out all of Music Wench's political posts for insight to my current state of mind), I am going to bring up something else about this campaign that bugs the living crap out of me.

I watched enough of the Republican Convention to be blinded by the glaring whiteness of it all. The majority of the speakers were old, white, and male. This perplexed me because I had been led to believe the GOP was trying to prove its diversity. Didn't the 2000 and 2004 conventions make it a point of displaying their 4% minority delegates and speakers to prove they're down with the people? Oh, wait...they're running against a black candidate now. I get it. So basically their posters should read:

VOTE MCCAIN
NO BLACK AGENDA HERE!

Thinking about how well this is working is making me, well, angry.

Over at alternet, Tim Wise breaks down quite easily what white privilege means in this campaign. These are points we all have seen, but to view them through this lens makes everything sickeningly clearer for me. We still live in a racist society. I have always known that. Now, apparently, the Republicans aren't afraid to exploit it for whatever means necessary.

An example:

White privilege is when you can call yourself a "fuckin' redneck," like Bristol Palin's boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll "kick their fuckin' ass," and talk about how you like to "shoot shit" for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

And:

White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.

Read. Enjoy. Be sick with me.