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Separate is Never Equal

The following quote comes from a January 24th, 2015 article on The Hill about the appearance of Dr. Ben Carson at the Iowa Freedom Summit.

Carson also criticized political correctness as he answered a question about gay marriage — and followed up by flaunting decorum with the type of comment that endears him with the base but could hurt his cross-party appeal.

"What I have a problem with is when people try to force people to act against their beliefs because they say 'they're discriminating against me.' So they can go right down the street and buy a cake, but no, let's bring a suit against this person because I want them to make my cake even though they don't believe in it. Which is really not all that smart because they might put poison in that cake," he said to chuckles from some of his staff and dead silence from the journalists in the room.

I've been mulling this one over for awhile. (Obviously.) What are the implications of these words? I have a suggestion for you. (My changes in italics.)

Carson also criticized political correctness as he answered a question about lunch counter integration— and followed up by flaunting decorum with the type of comment that endears him with the base but could hurt his cross-party appeal.

"What I have a problem with is when people try to force people to act against their beliefs because they say 'they're discriminating against me.' So they can go right down the street and have lunch, but no, let's bring a suit against this person because I want them to make my lunch even though they don't believe in it. Which is really not all that smart because they might put poison in that lunch," he said to chuckles from some of his staff and dead silence from the journalists in the room.

Or--

Carson also criticized political correctness as he answered a question about Jews who want membership at the Country Club — and followed up by flaunting decorum with the type of comment that endears him with the base but could hurt his cross-party appeal.

"What I have a problem with is when people try to force people to act against their beliefs because they say 'they're discriminating against me.' So they can go right down the street and join a different club, but no, let's bring a suit against this person because I want them to accept me even though they don't believe in it. Which is really not all that smart because they might put poison in their cocktails," he said to chuckles from some of his staff and dead silence from the journalists in the room.

Or--

Carson also criticized political correctness as he answered a question about women 's push to integrate the all-male press club— and followed up by flaunting decorum with the type of comment that endears him with the base but could hurt his cross-party appeal.

"What I have a problem with is when people try to force people to act against their beliefs because they say 'they're discriminating against me.' So they can go right down the street and join a women's organization , but no, let's bring a suit against this person because I want them to include me even though they don't believe in it. Which is really not all that smart because they might put poison their water glass," he said to chuckles from some of his staff and dead silence from the journalists in the room.

Or--

Carson also criticized political correctness as he answered a question about enrollment of students with disabilities in the public school and followed up by flaunting decorum with the type of comment that endears him with the base but could hurt his cross-party appeal.

"What I have a problem with is when people try to force people to act against their beliefs because they say 'they're discriminating against me.' So they can go right down the street and go to the handicapped school, but no, let's bring a suit against this person because I want them to educate me even though they don't believe in it. Which is really not all that smart because they might put poison their special water fountain," he said to chuckles from some of his staff and dead silence from the journalists in the room.

*****

Funny, huh? Is this the stuff of light-hearted witticisms? Or is it rather the insidious sneer of someone who, asserting he is on the inside, wants to keep others out?

Talk about being on the wrong side of history--Dr. Carson is clearly on the wrong side of civil rights.

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