Racism isn’t just a synonym for bigotry or prejudice. Racism connotes the unjust power that privilege has to inconvenience the lives of others by virtue of their race, ethnicity or national origin. Bigotry and prejudice are basically how one feels toward another. This is an important distinction. This is why we can speak of racism as being structural and systemic. It is also why we pass laws to limit people’s ability to do this sort of thing, at least overtly.

I use to think one could be a bigot without being racist, yet not a racist without first being a bigot. Ferraro’s comments–or perhaps the preponderance of inane such assaults coming from the Clinton camp–mark the first time I’ve consciously noted that one who is not prejudiced can do just as much racist damage as one who is.

Race is undoubtedly a part of who Barak Obama is, but it can’t be used to belittle or even critique him–any more than Hillary Clinton’s gender can justly be used against her. That’s crossing the line.

*After being informed by Keith Olbermann of Ms. Ferraro’s history of making such statements, I must reserve the right to alter the temperance of my views regarding her intent. Watch Olbermann’s courageous response to Sen. Clinton’s tepid reaction to Ms. Ferraro.