What is the definition of racism anymore? The thing is, people have smartened up. They have discovered that it is (viewed as) stupid to don a white hood and march down the street in broad daylight. So they have learned to dance seductively and dangerously on the edge of bigotry and prejudice. Some are probably just entertainers who may not even believe what they say but have discovered that race baiting is a money making machine (eg Glen Beck IMO).
So, racism, by its
original definition may be something Rush has very intelligently avoided stepping into. But he has certainly made a lot of
racially divisive, incendiary, race baiting and racially insensitive remarks. .
So what does that mean? In a capitalistic society (oh irony!) it means the market decides who they will or won't buy from. If Rush has been making all these comments, why is he surprised that a sport dominated by black players, and whose unspoken rule of etiquette is unity not divisiveness, isn't one where he is welcome to do business?
Ya know, there is such thing called Karma. It usually comes back to bite peoples' asses when they least want it to. And then they cry victim. And those who cry victim the loudest seem to be the worst victimizers.
So maybe, by dictionary definition he isn't a racist, he's just a race-baiting bully. You get what you give.