Regarding “Racism and Autocracy are Alive and Well in Tennessee”, published April 12, 2023, it may be arguable that the legislature acted imprudently as evidenced by their subsequent reversal. A good faith analysis of the myriad variables would be a legitimate journalistic pursuit.

Instead, we’re treated to a dazzling display of racialism, i.e. an emphasis on race when interpreting events, often excluding or discounting other considerations. In this case, the Tennessee legislature is accused of being racist, exclusively on the prima facie basis of the skin color of two legislators in question. This accusation is not supported by a single piece of cogent evidence that racism was causal. There is no context or nuance, there are no supporting facts.

Sadly, none of that is necessary given the current architecture of political commentary in our country. You see it’s far easier to poison the well, to wield the verbal weapons of political suppression — the radioactive rhetoric of progressive scripture — than to get mud on one’s shoes, dig for the truth, then write objectively.

Good journalism is on life-support – I hope it’s not too late for a revival because as the choir of high priests of progressivism like to solemnly chant – democracy is at stake.

Brian DiNielli

Enumclaw