Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm

by Robin DiAngelo

In another example of using proximity as evidence of a lack of racism, then vice president Joe Biden recalled how he’d worked productively alongside two segregationist senators, including the virulently racist Senator James Eastland (Democrat-Mississippi). “At least there was some civility. We got things done. We didn’t agree on much of anything,” Biden said.9 “Today, you look at the other side and you’re the enemy.” Mr. Biden then recalled his time serving in the Senate. “I was in a caucus with James O. Eastland. He never called me boy, he always called me son.” In response, Senator Cory Booker released a statement saying Biden’s “relationships with proud segregationists are not the model for how we make America a safer and more inclusive place for Black people, and for everyone.” He added that he was disappointed that Biden “hasn’t issued an immediate apology.” Biden’s response included invoking his past work on civil rights: “I’ve been involved in civil rights my whole career” and the classic “There’s not a racist bone in my body.” Biden insisted that it was Booker who owed him an apology for suggesting his comments were racist. Notice that while Biden and Meadows are on different ends of the political spectrum, their responses to charges of racism were similar.