Is the New Tanning Tax Racist?

Some are fuming over a new tax that was quietly introduced into recent health care legislation. The tax is a 10 percent levy imposed solely on those who use ultraviolet indoor tanning beds. The tax is expected to raise $2.7 billion for the economy. It is also designed to discourage the use of tanning beds, which are known to significantly increase the risk of skin cancer in those who use them the most.

The most interesting thing about this new tax is that there are some who argue that the tax is "reverse racism" against white Americans. They appear to be making this argument because most of those who use tanning salons are white, so this tax is more likely to affect whites than blacks.

Rush Limbaugh even jumped in, along with Doc Thompson, who fills in for Glenn Beck. Other conservative commentators across the nation seem to have made the tan tax a rallying cry in what they've now interpreted to be their own battle against oppression and discrimination. Thompson, in response to the tax even said, "I now know the pain of racism."

Some can see the argument being made, to a point. Of course, we know that Thompson was being melodramatic by comparing the pain of a tan tax to 400 years of slavery and oppression. But he may have a good legal argument, given that it's clear that the tax would almost exclusively affect white people, unless you count non-white people who own tanning salons as potential victims. This is an argument similar to the one that's been used to fight the recent immigration law in Arizona, since the law mostly affects Hispanic Americans.

Another argument can be made as well. The law does affect white people, yes. However, comparing this to the sting of serious racism that occurs in our society is at best inaccurate, and at worst, just kind of silly. Most of President Obama's detractors will look for any and every reason to criticize him, even on something like a tax that will save lives and help pay for health care.

President Obama may be right to continue on his current path. This doesn't mean that his plans are going to work perfectly for everyone. But if Obama does waver at this point, it will only make his enemies push that much harder to distract him. At this point, they will do anything to get him out of office -- even cry racism when they don't know what racism really is.

What do you think? Is the tanning tax racist? Leave your comments below!

Lawrence Watkins is the Founder of Great Black Speakers. He is also the owner of speakers' bureaus dedicated to Hispanic speakers and Christian motivational speakers. His book 'Frame Your Future: 8 Principles to Effectively Focus on the Future and Not Dwell in the Past,' will be released in August. If you would like Lawrence's articles delivered directly to your e=mail, please click here.