James Earl Jones: Tea Party Is 'Racist' JAMES EARL JONES: I think I have figured out the Tea Party I think I I do understand racism because I was taught to be one by my grandmother. My grandmother was part [tribal affiliation] Indian part black, she hated everybody and she taught all of her children and grandchildren to be racist to hate white people and to distrust black people. DR CORNEL WEST: Who does she love then? JAMES EARL JONES: Nobody WEST: Nobody at all. JAMES EARL JONES: But that allowed me to figure it out for myself. And I think I know what racism is better than anyone who has ever been a racist.