Reclining Right

Last week I wrote about a psychologist‘s (Dr. Timothy Daughtry) explanation of the political liberal mind and how they are able to successfully push their agenda. Today I’m going to give an illustration of how to fight back with words. Dr. Daughtry said that the story below that had I shared with him was an excellent example to illustrate the points one must keep in mind when discoursing with a political liberal.

Some years ago, I went back to a Cornell University class reunion.  Like just about every university, invited speakers tend to be alumni who have made a mark in the world.

This particular speaker was an African-American graduate of Cornell who had been appointed by then president Clinton to be administrative head of the Federal District Court 1, the one that encompasses the New York area.  He gave a 45 minute speech, during which he spoke about, among other things; his job was to make sure that everyone in his district was treated equally before the law. He also spoke of the importance of affirmative-action for minorities.

This was the time during which there was a big discussion about New Jersey policemen racially profiling black men on the New Jersey Turnpike.  He declared that racial profiling was an abomination against justice, except against Muslims, due to their known terrorist activities.

When the question and answer time came, I asked him “Could you clarify something for me.  Do you believe in affirmative-action or do you believe in equality before the law?’  I figured he had had this question at least hundreds of times before and I was curious what kind of sophist reply he would give.

His reply startled me. He boomed, “You cannot out debate me! I was head of Cornell’s debate team!  I was a member of Harvard Law Review!”   I replied,” There is nothing to debate.  You are either for one or the other.  It cannot be both. Which is it?”

Like the brilliant lawyer that he was, he changed the subject and went on attack.”What do I tell my four-year-old son when me, one of the most powerful lawyers in the country, gets pulled all over by a policeman on the New Jersey Turnpike and is frisked like a common criminal.  Me, in my $2,000 Armani suit driving a BMW!”

I replied surprisingly calmly since the audience was overwhelmingly liberal and hostile to my question,”You should tell your son the truth.”

“And what is the truth?” he replied with dripping sarcasm.

“Tell your son that the reason you were pulled over by a policeman was that black men constitute about 6% of the United States population and commit close to 45% of all aggravated assault.  Therefore if a policeman pulls over a black man, he has about an 800% greater chance of stopping a criminal they pulling over an 80 year old woman.”  You should also tell your son that if he and the majority of black youth grow up like you did and have very responsible jobs, that racial profiling will disappear.”

Visibly furious, trying to change the subject again, and go on the offensive, he asked me in a clearly threatening manner “What is your name?”  I replied, “Would you also like my Social Security number so you can sic the IRS on me?”

He stormed off the stage and came right at me.  “You have no idea what it’s like to be a minority!” he spit at me with visceral hatred.  I responded, “You are right, but my wife and children are minorities so am quite aware of prejudice.” He stormed off.

The lesson from this little exchange is:

(1) Stay on point. Do not let them change the subject.

(2) Stay calm, not always that easy when you’re been attacked.

(3) “Give irrefutable facts.”

(4) Do not let them put you on the defensive, intimidate you, or box you in.

(5) Do not let them bully you.  This is especially difficult for men when the person bullying is a woman, because when you stand up to them, they will claim you are bullying them or they may get hysterical or change the subject by claiming to be the victim.

Understand that most of us feel bad when someone shows us that we are wrong. And some of us will get angry for having been made to look bad and will go on the attack to get even.  It’s hard not to take it personal (like the attacks I get for writing this column), but that’s what we have to try to do.

James F. I. Davis