MSNBC contributor Michael Eric Dyson tried to draw the analogy Monday that black people feel the same way about race and the George Zimmerman verdict that all Americans felt on 9/11.
Speaking on “Now with Alex Wagner,” the host questioned whether it’s wise for Attorney General Eric Holder to get involved in the civil rights case against Mr. Zimmerman, when he’s “become such a straw man for the Republican party.”
“When the people who rig the definition and the litmus test have a bias to begin with, it’s not going to be proof positive for you when you come along testing whether race or bias exists,” Mr. Dyson began. “We don’t have to impugn [Zimmerman attorney] Mr. O’Mara’s character and integrity to say what you are talking about is on Mars and we’re on Venus.
“We have to often tell people who get defensive about racism analogy, let’s make an analogy to terrorism,” he added. “So, you know how you felt on 9/11? Yeah, that’s how we feel when it comes to race.”
Mr. Dyson urged Mr. Holder to “do something courageous, bold and helpful” before this trial sets the status quo for race relations in America.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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