re: #62 Dark_Falcon

Here’s the full context of what Brooks wrote:

Brooks wasn’t saying that Egyptians or Arabs “lack the mental equipment to govern”. He was saying it about Islamists and that is a defensible statement. I understand that Daily Kos readers are legitimately concerned about bigotry, but what David Brooks wrote was analysis of a political philosophy, not anything disparaging people for racial or ethnic origins.

The tweet about it was clearly wrong. However, if one wishes to accuse Brooks of racism, he supplied plenty of fodder a few columns back.

[…]

In other words, immigration reform won’t transform America. It will just speed up the arrival of a New America that is already guaranteed.

As we stand on the cusp of this New America, it’s understandable to feel some anxiety. If you take sociology and culture seriously, it’s sensible to wonder whether this is the sort of country we want to be. Can we absorb this many immigrants without changing something fundamental?

[…]

We could also see more ethnic jostling between groups. The most interesting and problematic flashpoint may be between immigrants and African-Americans. We now have this bogus category, “minority,” in which we lump the supposed rainbow coalition of immigrants and blacks. But, in fact, tensions between “minority” groups could soon be more plainly obvious than any solidarity.

[…]

It’s not unalloyed racism, he finishes on an up note

On the whole, this future is exciting. The challenge will be to create a global civilization that is, at the same time, distinctly American. Immigration reform or not, the nation of mutts is coming.

but I sure see more tell-tale signs there than in his most recent column.