I would like to say that I am surprised by the events in Buffalo, NY, another racially motivated hate crime that resulted in the deaths of 10 people.

I would like to say that I’m shocked, horrified at such an event.

I can’t be, though. It is happening way too often.

I will say that I’m angry – angry that in this country blatant racism in the media obviously pushed a young man into a meticulously planned murder spree aimed at innocent people simply at their neighborhood grocery store shopping.

The victims were Black, and it was very clear based on information the murdering racist put online that he was acting in response to “the great replacement theory.” The “theory” pushed the idea that white Americans are being “replaced” in work and American society by Black and brown people, as well as immigrants from south of the border.

This is nothing new. Ever since the Civil War there have been groups of white Americans who have labored very hard to keep the potential political muscle of minority populations diminished. The fear is that someone other than whites would be represented in the mainstream discourse and their opportunities to improve their lives severely muted and controlled.

This is pure racism and if you fear that “they” are going to take your job or be elected to position of power or share your neighborhood with you, then you are a racist.

No matter how you try to sugar-coat it, you are a racist.

Racist. Do you understand? You are a racist.

Yes, I know I’m going to get letters from people who believe they aren’t racist but will attempt to spin their stances in order to seem just as concerned about the country.

Let me address them for a moment: Do you understand that when you listen to some preening self-important political “entertainer” such as Tucker Carlson you are supporting a racist? Carlson has been dancing around this issue for a long time.

Here is a quote from the star of FOX News from a year ago: “I know that the left and all the little gatekeepers on Twitter become literally hysterical if you use the term ‘replacement.’ If you suggest that the Democratic Party is trying to replace the current electorate, the voters now casting ballots with new people, more obedient voters from the third world. But they become hysterical because that’s what’s happening actually.”

Where is the proof?

Think about it. Carlson is a pundit. His goal is to build as large an audience as he can in order to serve his advertisers. He is not a journalist. He is a stone-cold opportunist ready to convert the worst kind of political thinking into cash.

It’s about money. If you think that he is some sort of patriot, you are wrong. He is not.

I realize, though, that folks who are indeed racist will never agree to this assessment. They will not see that talking heads such as Carlson or even members of Congress are people who are trading on racist beliefs to build a constituency or to make money.

It’s quite basic. People want their own opinions reinforced. They want to live in an echo chamber. It’s comforting to them.

And to be fair, there are certainly people on the left who are doing the same thing – listening to those who agree with them – however I can’t think of a far-left pundit who advocates for racist beliefs.

With everything we are facing today from the continued effects of COVID-19 – hey, is a million deaths now significant to you anti-vaxxers and conspiracy types? – to the war in Ukraine and to the continuing climate crisis, there is simply no longer any room for the hate speech that leads to violence.

Of course, I’m preaching to the choir here. I doubt that nothing I write would cause a reader with racist beliefs to reconsider their positions, but I do have enough faith that with all the press coverage, something, somewhere might cause a spark of curiosity to challenge those beliefs.