Posted By LambChop
From The Daily Caller:
The University of Washington sent out an email to alumni that asked the question: “Is The Tea Party like the Ku Klux Klan?”
Christopher Parker is a political science professor at the college who is promoting his new book that supposedly shows research proving that “racism is a strong indicator of Tea Party support.”
“Consider the Tea Party,” wrote Parker. “Similar to the Klan, white, middle- class, middle-aged, Protestant men dominate the Tea Party’s ranks.”
Parker admits that the KKK was a criminal gang that promoted violence and this fact may not necessarily compare to the Tea Party who have never committed any acts of violence but simply rejected the tax and spend policies of government in general.
“Can we not say that the Tea Party is heavily involved in politics?” he wrote. “Further, can we not also say that many Tea Partiers are not educated and accomplished? Finally, can we not also say that the Tea Party has an intolerant element? The answer to all three is yes. So, to answer your question, I recognize why some on the right are alarmed at the comparison, but they need to bear in mind that the comparison is VERY specific to the Klan of the 1920s: another national right-wing political movement, one with an educated, accomplished element that also has its share of intolerant people. In sum, the Tea Party need not be a similarly violent or bigoted movement in order for it to be compared to the KKK, especially given the different historical context.”
Parker is also incorrect about much of his Tea Party demographic claims – stats have shown Tea Party members are typically more educated (particularly in science), formerly not very politically active, own their own businesses and earn in the top 5% tier compared to the rest of the United States. But why bother with truth?
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