WASHINGTON — It has come to my attention that there is a new derogatory term in American politics. It is “Angry White Male.” Moreover, I am apparently a member of this low-down grouping of Americanos. According to Wikipedia, “the free encyclopedia,” the term delineates a male who is “characterized by opposition to racial quotas, political correctness, affirmative action, anti-discrimination policies and other liberal policies.” With the possible exception of “anti-discrimination policies,” that pretty much describes my politics, though I would add a few other prejudices into the mix such as advocacy of free market economics, opposition to socialism or any form of statism, opposition to totalitarianism and preference for cafâ noir.
Actually, I would doubt that the preference for such policies is the exclusive enthusiasm of Angry White Males. Most of the women I know and admire also are with me on these political issues and most of my non-white friends — women and men — are as well. All of us feel that these values have done a lot of good for America. Yet, up there in the Kultursmog — in that rarefied stratosphere where American culture is supposedly determined — these values are presented as inimical to the good life.
