The St. Louis newspaper runs a picture of a black man kissing his white girlfriend; rednecks write racist comments; we mock those comments. Now, the almost-as-bad backlash: the "I'm the least racist!" comment contest:

We'd like to thank you, the Gawker commenters, for flooding the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's blog with, hopefully, searingly insulting comments: "Greenbaum said that comments were pretty bigoted until the website Gawker.com picked up the story and readers from that website signed on to his blog to rebut the bigots." Unfortunately you did your job so well that this meta-story has now been written about again, this time on a Chicago Tribune blog, causing an outpouring of people ready to tell you how they are probably much less racist than you will ever be:

1. My family is much better than yours, racists.

How wide is your world? Some of us have dozens of friends in inter-racial marriages and relationships. That is not an exaggeration. Our family literally knows dozens of people who are every combination of White/Black/Asian/Hispanic/Middle Eastern in happy marriages with gorgeous kids.

If you live or worship in a community that teaches that we are all brothers and sisters and members of one human race, this is considered healthy and normal.

But, for those who believe that there is no more racism, or that America has grown out of racism, well, here you are, what more proof do you need.

And one last thing:
Cute Couple!
Posted by: nonpartisan | Apr 20, 2009 11:58:20 AM

2. Down with racism, up with censorship!

Who cares about the race of two people kissing? I think the entire preoccupation with race—the race and race-baiting industry—should be put to rest for good. A truly non-racial, non-racist society just wouldn't pay attention to these things at all. I think this entire column should dissappear. No offense regarding the author's talent as a writer. Blacks and whites can mix or stay segregated if they want. If skin color is a superficial indicator, as society has mostly come to accept, why are we paying any attention to it at all? Let consenting people do what they want as long as they are doing no harm to themselves or to others.
Posted by: ttj | Apr 20, 2009 12:59:28 PM

3. Interracial dating is fine with me. Gays, on the other hand...

Black and white don't bother me. Lasst night on "Brothers and Sisters" two gaay men kissed-more than a passing kiss. I'm not a homopobe but was uneasy watching that.
Posted by: Joanne Coquillard | Apr 20, 2009 7:58:10 AM

4. I'm so not racist that I have circled around to become racist, or maybe just a nut.

I'm white, my husband is black. We've been together for about 20 years. We have always been very careful how we interact in public. Not just because of our races, we also don't think it's appropriate to get too physical in public. The other reason is because of some of the looks and comments we're intended to overhear. Although I would like to answer back, it's not worth the risk. I do believe everyone is entitled to their opinions, I just wish they would keep them to themselves.
Posted by: Wendy C | Apr 20, 2009 9:03:45 AM

5. Black girl kiss at age 14 FTW!!!!

Traveling with my students on a bus last February (2008) we were watching the movie HUTCH with Will Smith and gorgeous Eva Morales (I think that's her name). When a kiss between them seemed likely, I told the other teachers that if they kissed, Obama would win the election.

As a white, the first gal I kissed at 14 was black with braces.
Posted by: KAG | Apr 20, 2009 9:07:10 AM

[Chicago Trib; Previously, Missouri Rednecks. Pic via]