How can we take racism seriously

When the charge of racism is used as often as the English definite article?  I've long maintained that someone who exploits racism for gain is no better than a racist.  This is particularly true because I can't help but get the feeling that people who obviously have it in mind to use racism for their own agendas might be inclined to want to see racism continue. 

This is, of course, difficult to prove, and can only be maintained in the area of 'hunch.'  Proving ulterior motives is, as we all know, next to impossible.  Plus, racism is the opposite side of the 'only thing Americans care about' coin (the other being sex).  As far as American popular meme is concerned, all evil is racism and if it ain't racism, it's not that important.  Therefore it's all around us like the air we breath.

Nevertheless, after the first three years of President Obama's term, it's not hard to see two things.  First, there are obviously still racists in America.  Second, there are obviously people who exploit racism for various - in this case political - agendas.  Has some of the rhetoric and images tossed at President Obama been racist?  You bet.

But on the other side, have there been obvious attempts to exploit racism in order to shut down debate and advance various topics and legislation?  Oh yeah.  So here we have an editorial cartoon portraying President Obama as a skunk.  Not particularly imaginative.  But nothing unusual.  That sort of things goes back to the beginning of the office.  Look at cartoons of presidents over the years.  Many of them have been far from flattering.  I grew up in the 1980s, and I can assure you that many of the portrayals of Reagan were far worse than this.

Still, it's in our blood to be offended when such images are applied to people we like, so it's not surprising that President Obama's supporters would not like the characterization.  But racist?  How is it racist?*  It's to make a point.  Now I might be inclined to consider that it could be racist if it weren't for the fact that almost every non-flattering cartoon, almost every criticism of President Obama or his policies has been called racist for the last three years.  And just like the endless attacks against Bill Clinton by the Republicans in the 90s eventually eroded the Republicans' credibility, I'm afraid I've heard the boy cry racist one too many times.

Racism is a problem.  Naturally.  It probably always will be.  But exploiting it, using it, even, dare I suppose, encouraging it just to score political points is no better.  Not just because of the chance of keeping racism alive and well, but also because once you've heard it a million times, and then a million more tomorrow, eventually it loses its punch.  And that, we all know, is just when the issue raises its head in the worst possible way, only to find a public that has grown apathetic about the entire topic.

*I admit I haven't seen the actual cartoon, but that's the result of crying wolf every time someone criticizes the President.  I assume, at this point, that the charge of racism is simply political expediency, not based on reality.