By Dr. E. Faye Williams
(TriceEdneyWireService.com) – Few who pay attention to the news or the broadcast of recent Conservative ideological rants have missed the frequent use of the term "Entitlement." Although actually defined as an earned right, prerogative or privilege, the conservative perspective has distorted the term to now connote or identify a payout, payoff or award/receipt of a gratuity that is undeserved and unfairly awarded to one at the expense of another. My understanding of the term has evolved, but not to the point that I accept this perverted portion of the Conservative dogma.
Those who have paid even casual attention to public affairs saw this conservative definition used in Mitt Romney's discussion of the 47% (of the national population) who would sell their votes to President Obama's reelection bid just to get "free stuff." This definition of the term entitlement was also used in Paul Ryan's discussion of the breakdown of the American society into groups which he labeled as productive "Makers" and parasitic "Takers." In his assessment "Takers" demonstrate a distinct preference to living off the efforts and at the expense of the "Makers."
Repeatedly, those of the Conservative ilk have chosen to divide the country into segments of the "deserving" and "undeserving." These efforts persist at the expense of national unity and fuel the fires of hatred and mistrust among the populace. Too often, these terms are used in conjunction with "dog whistle" terminology that also connotes racial distinction. We've seen this in the use of words like "urban" or "illegal."
As cynical as it may seem, I believe that most Americans have come to accept the negative use of the term entitlementin the context of the political discussion. They may not agree with its use, but most know that it will be used - by Conservative and Progressive, alike - to gain a political advantage among those concerned enough or sufficiently inflamed to vote. I do not, however, believe that anyone of good-conscience will accept the use of the negative connotation of Entitlement in the definition of any of the inalienable rights or privileges directly stated or inferred in the Constitution.
With my exception stated, enter Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and his conservative assessment of the constitutionality of Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. I am shocked and appalled that a sitting member of the highest court in the land would characterize voting rights as being a "Racial Entitlement." His utterance epitomizes the myth of "white superiority" and the racial arrogance that allows him to disregard the full scope of the constitutional rights of citizens of color.
Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act is a legal construct designed to protect citizens against discriminatory exclusion from voting in jurisdictions where historical evidence of those patterns exists. Despite what critics of the Voting Rights Act may claim, there are still jurisdictions where racial animus has been institutionalized into restrictive practices that serve to disenfranchise citizens based on racial identity. Section 5 simply requires that jurisdictions which operate under its control demonstrate that they no longer employ practices that discriminate. When sufficient evidence exists to show non-discriminatory practices, those jurisdictions are relieved from further scrutiny under Section 5.
In his characterization, Scalia seemingly forgets that the right to vote is constitutionally ordained - not something granted or qualified by political party or other entity. Except through age, legal citizenship and social conduct, the vote isn’t subject to question. It’s owned by citizens as they make their own choices. It is not subject to any other standard of qualification.
In reply to his comments, I say how dare Justice Scalia suggest - euphemistically or otherwise - that the right of citizens of color to vote exists only as another in a list of undeserved "entitlements."
| (Dr. E. Faye Williams is Chair of the National Congress of Black Women, www.nationalcongressbw.org. 202/678-6788) |