Basketball great Charles Barkley is not known for shyness. Here is what he just said about politicians:
Hey, let’s make these people not like each other. We don’t live in their neighborhoods, we all got the money, let’s make the whites and blacks not like each other, let’s make rich people and poor people not like each other, let’s scramble the middle class. I truly believe that in my heart.
As I read Barkley’s comment, the image of Charlie Manson came into my mind. At first I couldn’t imagine why. The crazed mass murderer and his sick “family” seemed remote from current politics. But on reflection, the connection became obvious. In Manson’s twisted mind, murdering prominent White people like Sharon Tate and her friends would precipitate a race war.
Manson’s logic was faulty, and his morality was totally lacking. But his motive was revealing. He believed that if Blacks and Whites began killing one another, eventually they would be so weakened that Manson and his followers could take power. Tone down the bloodthirsty intent, and we have just what Barkley was criticizing: Set people against one another, and then WE will be in total charge.
No, I’m not implying that race-baiting politicians are on the level of Manson. But I am implying – in fact I’m saying straight out – that fomenting hatred and mistrust between racial or other groups is immoral and dangerous. No one can know how deep the hatred can run or how far it will go. Let’s listen to Charles Barkley. He knows a lot more than basketball. And he makes a much better role model than the other Charles.
