DON'T PANIC! This blog is authored by Seniors at Aragon High School, San Mateo, CA.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
South Carolina Republican Debate Debrief: Gingrich's Janitor Comments Racist?
Newt Gingrich received a standing ovation at yesterday's South Carolina GOP debate for his comments about poor individuals, sparked by Juan Williams, one of the moderators for the debate. Williams questioned whether Gingrich's assertion that poor people lack worth ethic and should work as janitors seemed "at a minimum, as insulting to all Americans but particularly to Black Americans." Gingrich then fires back by explaining that his daughter worked as a janitor at 13 years of age and viewed the job as rewarding. He also elaborates by explaining that New York janitors receive an "absurd amount of money because of the union" which could be given to 30 kids who would pocket money, learn responsibility, and become much less likely to drop out of school. Gingrich concludes his argument by promising to truly aid the poor so they can "learn how to get a job, learn how to get a better job, and learn someday to own the job."
However, Gingrich's statements such as calling president Obama, the "food stamp president" and that the poor "lack work ethic" seem to be insensitive, as pointed out by Juan Williams who points out that Americans are concerned that his comments appear "intended to belittle the poor and racial minorities." Although Gingrich won the support of the South Carolina Republican crowd, it seems far less likely that his views will win as much support in less conservative regions. Based on his comments, is Gingrich coming off as an insensitive,stereotypical conservative or a realist who genuinely wants the poor to succeed?
Wow. No matter what you think about Gingrich's policies, he has some good comebacks(albeit good to a South Carolinian). I would like to believe that Gingrich isn't a racist that wants to impose his own class based agenda upon the American people, but i'm just not sure. Undoubtedly, the reason that Gingrich is flaunting his policy proudly is to gain support from the more conservative parts of the GOP. Although one can't prove he is racist, one can clearly see that he is intentionally appealing to the American voters who are. That by default, makes him no better than them, possibly even worse.
I agree that all children and teens should learn good working ethics. However, I have seen much more middle-upper class kids who are spoiled and lazy compared to poor-middle class teens who work at numerous jobs from baby-sitting, mowing lawns, and working at fast food restaurants. I think that if Gingrich wants to single out a group that need work ethics, it should be the upper class kids. Isn’t it that most poor kids who get a job at an early age are likely to drop out of school since their families need the extra money? If Gingrich daughter actually worked as janitor I’m sure she did it mostly for the experience while in the case for most poor kids, they do it because it is a necessity.
I think that part of the reason that Gingrich is saying these things is because he is in South Carolina. This conservative state wouldn't be too angry by these words compared to a more liberal state. It will be very interesting to see if he changes these harsh views when/if he goes to more moderate states. I think that one major problem with Gingrich is that he talks too much. Not in the sense that he is talkative, but that he just says things that put him in a hole that he will have to later dig out of. An example of this would be when he said that he would subpoena judges and bring them in front of Congress to explain their rulings if he did not like how they ruled. Like Jacob said, I don't want to believe that Gingrich is a racist, but from much of what he has said so far, it seems like he is very harsh to very specific types of people.
3 comments:
Wow. No matter what you think about Gingrich's policies, he has some good comebacks(albeit good to a South Carolinian). I would like to believe that Gingrich isn't a racist that wants to impose his own class based agenda upon the American people, but i'm just not sure. Undoubtedly, the reason that Gingrich is flaunting his policy proudly is to gain support from the more conservative parts of the GOP. Although one can't prove he is racist, one can clearly see that he is intentionally appealing to the American voters who are. That by default, makes him no better than them, possibly even worse.
I agree that all children and teens should learn good working ethics. However, I have seen much more middle-upper class kids who are spoiled and lazy compared to poor-middle class teens who work at numerous jobs from baby-sitting, mowing lawns, and working at fast food restaurants. I think that if Gingrich wants to single out a group that need work ethics, it should be the upper class kids. Isn’t it that most poor kids who get a job at an early age are likely to drop out of school since their families need the extra money? If Gingrich daughter actually worked as janitor I’m sure she did it mostly for the experience while in the case for most poor kids, they do it because it is a necessity.
I think that part of the reason that Gingrich is saying these things is because he is in South Carolina. This conservative state wouldn't be too angry by these words compared to a more liberal state. It will be very interesting to see if he changes these harsh views when/if he goes to more moderate states. I think that one major problem with Gingrich is that he talks too much. Not in the sense that he is talkative, but that he just says things that put him in a hole that he will have to later dig out of. An example of this would be when he said that he would subpoena judges and bring them in front of Congress to explain their rulings if he did not like how they ruled. Like Jacob said, I don't want to believe that Gingrich is a racist, but from much of what he has said so far, it seems like he is very harsh to very specific types of people.
Post a Comment