Blue eyes

I'm always interested in reading about race and class...two issues that were pretty formative in my life.

Here is an op/ed that upon a third and fourth reading, I'm wondering where exactly Maureen Dowd is going with her observations. Does she really think Lula is crazy or ranting for making a valid observation - that those who run are economic system (and thus have run it into the very ground) come from a very specific racial group (whether they have blue eyes or not)? The greed inherent in capitalism comes from Europe (go back and check out Viggo reading de las Casas to see how old this goes back) and has been exported globally since the Portugues and Italian explorers started heading out in their boats, followed by assorted company men, armies, priests, and the millions of huddled masses who were economic refugees from the ravages of capitalism in the Mother land.

I think her turn to reflecting on her own brown eyes deflects from the very real grievances that the majority of the planet (people of color who primarily have brown eyes) who are suffering from the pillaging of the bankers.

Here is also another dimension that is operating, and that she does touch on -- that there is a class element operating. There are brown-eyed and blue-eyed people who have been crushed by this economic system.

If we think it's rough here with our recession, it is infinitely worse when there is no social net to catch you and where under/unemployement and lack of capital already were the norm long before the global crisis hit their shores.

Sorry Maureen, like a lot of Americans you are exhibiting a distinct lack of global awareness and too much self-absorption (get over your own self-esteem issues growing up with blue-eyed siblings). There are people going hungry. Children who will not grow to be adults....

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/29/opinion/29dowd.html