The most hopeful aspect of the recent Cliven Bundy-Donald Sterling brouhahas is that they're evidence that racism is simply not tolerated, or ignored, or winked at, any more.
Not just in social or political circles— but in the arena that ultimately, truly matters: the marketplace.
This piece by Sally Jenkins on the economic ramifications of Sterling's many racist rants is all you have to read to understand the forces at work in what we cats are confident will be the Clippers' owner's eventual ouster. Yes, economic energy frequently lags behind social and political movements — but if enough people make it clear that they will not stand for bad behavior, the folks who want to make money more than anything will fall in line.
Which is okay. Right-wing screamers can object all they want, but the blanket condemnations of Bundy and Sterling have nothing to do with the First Amendment and absolutely everything to do with What The Market Will Bear. We cats have no problem with that. When the arc of history bends toward justice, it also bends toward business trying to figure out how to make a fast buck. Fair enough.
You'd think that as alleged raging capitalists, the teabaggers and their enablers would get this. Or, at least, be honest about it. But since they're not, are they capitalists, or aren't they? Our phones are open! In the meantime, we cats PURR.
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