It is this pattern of innuendo and subtle race-baiting followed by wild-eyed confusion and denial that is the essence of guerilla racism. Such hit-and-run tactics are vital to cause of stoking fear and anger within a certain portion of the American population who long for a return to the America of old; a demographic of white, conservative “christians” who have seen there ranks dwindle in what is becoming an ever more culturally diverse country. Being labelled a racist in 21st-century America is in many ways political and cultural suicide, so to engage in such demonization is an effective, more sinister way of fueling racial animosity.

Many on the political right have made the bizarre claim that it is those on the left and members of the so-called “liberal media” who are fanning the flames of racial hatred by associating any and all criticism of President Obama as racism. Such a notion couldn’t be further from the truth, however; the President gets plenty of criticism from the left, the current health care debate and Obama’s refusal to fight for a public option or his refusal to prosecute Bush administration officials regarding torture being an example. The difference is that the current criticism coming from the right is almost completely lacking in rationality, coming only as a means to score political points against Obama. There is also a startling amount of violence in the rhetoric coming from the right, which was recently called attention to by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Her words (which were promptly and expectedly attacked by the right-wing media) made a point that shouldn’t be lost on any American who knows about our turbulent history: When rhetoric coming from the right is this vitriolic, political violence is inevitable. Our flag has more than once been stained by violence caused by a right-winger who took conservative rhetoric a little too seriously.

So, how does Malcolm X’s famous quote apply to racism in 21st century America? Simple: the guerilla racism occurring today can be given an alternate name: cowardice. To be a racist in America today takes courage, and those who would fan the flames of racism through these subtle and dishonest tactics show just how much courage they lack.

It was when I mentioned the fear that Obama would take their guns away by tightening the current US gun laws that the conversation became even more interesting for me. After I explained to them the differences between the U.S. and German gun laws, the requirements for owning and carrying a gun in both countries, etc., it dawned on me not only how extremely out of date and removed from reality the current U.S. gun laws are, but the mentality surrounding the ownership and usage of guns in our society are.

I honestly believe that people have a right to defend themselves. I also believe that there should be tighter restrictions on certain types of weapons, if for any other reason than to keep them out of the hands of stupid people. We are reminded all the time of how “legal” possession of guns can have tragic consequences; I saw evidence of up close during the school shooting in Winnenden, Germany, a town not even 20 miles away from where I live. It was because of the Winnenden school shooting that the children at the breakfast table were so curious, and it was this conversation that made me take a hard look at where I stand on the issue of guns in society.