Timothy McNulty, the Chicago Tribune's Public Editor, responded today to the onslaught of "incensed" readers who have complained about conservative columnist Kathleen Parker's May 14 column. Many readers viewed the piece as thinly veiled racism.

Parker, who is syndicated by more than 400 newspapers, wrote: "'A full-blooded American.' That's how 24-year-old Josh Fry of West Virginia described his preference for John McCain over Barack Obama. His feelings aren't racist, he explained. He would just be more comfortable with 'someone who is a full-blooded American as president.'" The column suggests that while all Americans may be immigrants, not all have paid their dues.

Janice Lindegard was one of many who responded to the column. "Using the term 'full-blooded American' to describe John McCain smacks of nothing if not white supremacy."

NcNulty echoed the Tribune's readers. "To write about bloodlines and claim it's not about race or ethnicity is nonsense," McNulty wrote. "Those are code words. I suspect most readers understand that."

However, he also noted that, "Printing a column is not the same as sanctioning it."

The editor emphasized the importance of printing and debating any opinion - regardless of whether it is popular or politically correct. "It is far better to honestly relate what people are saying and thinking--even if the sentiments expressed are racist--than to hide or pretend those attitudes don't exist."

Source: Editor & Publisher