‘Plantation Politics’: Columnist Slams America’s Racist Reaction to Richard Sherman

WaPo Columnist Rips Racist Reaction to Richard Sherman: ‘Plantation Politics’ ‘Permeates’ Society (Mediaite)

Washington Post columnist Clinton Yates ripped into America’s reaction to a fiery postgame interview with Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback Richard Sherman on Monday’s The Lead with Jake Tapper. Yates said that the reaction to Sherman’s interview was racially insensitive and an example of how “plantation politics” continues to characterize American life even in subtle and unconscious ways.

Tapper asked Yates to weigh in on the social media reaction to Sherman’s speech, much of which was characterized by users hurling racist insults at the NFL player. “America, loud, screaming black men are not, by default, dangerous or thugs,” Yates said directly into CNN’s cameras.