What I’ve Learned From Allen’s Racial Slur

125 words.

I’ve learned… a new racial slur! Though I’m still not quite clear what ethnicity it’s supposed to demean. Indians? North Africans? Cameramen? Anyway, apparently it’s a bad word when a Senator uses it in a stump speech, but it’s acceptable when news reporters explain it during the ensuing scandal coverage. Go figure.

Though I’m not at all sad to see Mr. Allen the focus of embarrassing national news attention that might hurt his re-election chances, it’s hard not to be sad over the reminder that political discourse in America usually focuses on exposing character flaws rather than reasoned debate. I have a sinking feeling that the Senate race in Virginia will now become a referendum on the word “macaca,” at least for a few weeks.

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