The Canonization of a Bigot
Posted on July 5, 2008
I mentioned yesterday that former-Senator Jesse Helms died.
You would think by some of the post-death coverage of Helms that he was the pinnacle of human existence. A look at the Jacksonville Daily News would provide enough evidence of that.
Their article on Helms’ death, titled “Local GOP feels the loss of ‘St. Jesse’, is a collection of some of the most disingenuous quotations about a man most foul.
Take Onslow County Republican Party former Chairperson Peggy Vance for instance.
“He was a great man and will surely be missed. If we had more men like him in Raleigh I think we’d be in better shape as a nation than we are today,”
My goodness. Are we in such bad shape that we need a misogynistic, racist, homophobic isolationists in control? I think not.
Look at Onslow County Board of Education member Mary Ann Sharpe for another glowing quotation.
I think that’s what makes a great leader - when you realize your decisions are not just for you but for everybody.
Indeed. Especially if your definition of “everybody” is white, wealthy and heterosexual.
If those aren’t a bad enough mischaracterization of Helms, look at President George Bush’s response.
Throughout his long public career, Senator Jesse Helms was a tireless advocate for the people of North Carolina, a stalwart defender of limited government and free enterprise, a fearless defender of a culture of life, and an unwavering champion of those struggling for liberty.
Helms was certainly a defender of a culture, unfortunately, it was segregation, the culture of sexism and the culture of rich-white-man power.
And as for his being a “tireless advocate for the people of North Carolina,” Helms’ definition of “people” was extremely limited and his lack of support for HIV funding wasn’t necessarily “advocacy.”
Jesse Helms may not have been a “bad” person. He may have been only a product of his time. He certainly is not the saint that everyone wants to make him. If you want to honor him, make the effort to honor the man he honestly was: Backwards. Wrongheaded. Racist. Sexist. Ignorant. Bigot.
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3 Responses to “The Canonization of a Bigot”
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I agree with your comments. While it is not considered decent to bad mouth a dead person, but putting him on a high moral pedestal by his followers is both vulgar and obnoxious. Jesse Helms blocked the integration of African Americans into American Society and bashed gays at every opportunity. He was a racist and a bigot.
Those praising him are STILL not in touch with reality. Too bad he died before the Presidential elections. A possible Obama win would probably have sent him to the next world.
Ajaz, thank you for the comment.
I agree with you fully on all counts.
Thank you Thomas. I have not had a visit from you to my blog for a while. I have written about a number of issues lately including Iran.
Ajaz