Letters to the Editor
TRenee
Published Letters: 314
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I'm glad YOU think the response was overblown, Alex
[Read the article: Reexamining the Ferraro fracas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I have spent the last few days enraged about Ferraro's comments. Not the paraphrased one of which you speak, but the actual entire coment itself. I have been so enraged I have been unable to post in today's War Room post on this very topic. I find that my hands are shaking even now as I write this (seriously).
As a black woman, to hear a man like Barack Obama be reduced to nothing but an affirmative action case and to have the racist words (mind I'm NOT calling Ferraro racist) be affirmed so casually and readily by some posters here and elsewhere absolutely appalls and horrifies me. My experience tells me that, not only does Obama have the right to be in the position that he's in, but that he's had to work twice as hard as any white guy with similar talents to be in this position.
Although Hillary Clinton would have you believe that words don't matter, in fact, they do. I understand the point that some are trying to make about Obama: His blackness has helped people view him positively; that America might be ready to elect as President a black man may go a long way in restoring the world's faith in us as a people who move forward and tread new ground that others can't because of fear.
But, ultimately, it is important to uncover the basic meaning behind Ferraro's words--that Obama is ahead in our presidential contest simply because he is black, not because of his accomplishments, appeals to the lowest form of racial discrimination. Appeals to racist people who need/want leaders people in Ferraro's position to validate their disgusting beliefs that darkies are taking over the world at THEIR expense.
That is why it was important to cover this. That is why the reaction was not overblown. I am still shaking.
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MICKI, this is not about "playing the race card"
[Read the article: Reexamining the Ferraro fracas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This is about how something like what Ferraro says affects real people's lives, especially well-educated, professional black folks.
I dread, DREAD, ever having to start a new job, look for a new apartment, etc., etc. You know why? Because no matter what my accomplishments are, what kind of education I have or what kind of person I AM, the color of my skin informs what people immediately think of me--that I'm slow, can't think, that I somehow coasted to where I am because of handouts.
To have a national figure like Ferraro give voice to this racist line of thinking is abhorrent. As many have pointed out, America's had plenty of Presidents with Obama's level of experience. Were they ever accused of only being in the position they were in because they were white dudes? Don't think so.
My definition of racism, from Webster's:
Main Entry:
rac·ism
Pronunciation:
ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-
Function:
noun
Date:
1933
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race 2 : racial prejudice or discrimination
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AKA Smith: Most certainly not
[Read the article: Reexamining the Ferraro fracas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Just because some people wrongly misinterpret affirmative action as some kind of quota system to be filled doesn't make me eschew it. Affirmative action is supposed to even the playing field for QUALIFIED applicants and acknowledge the fact that people are discriminated against on the basis of gender or race (really, class should be included in this as well).
I've heard that line that says we should get rid of affirmative action because "Blacks will think that they only got ahead because of it," and I realiize that it's a lightening rod topic. But, AKA, I make no bones about it. I grew up poverty-stricken and black--I know affirmative action helped me along, and I have no problem acknowleding that. But I also know that I am smart and talented aside of that--that the program helped level the playing field for me. What I object to is when people equate that with me (or Barack Obama) having gotten a handout because of affirmative action. That it's the ONLY reason (as Ferraro was implying) I've accomplished what I have.
Yeah, maybe I got into my special competitive grammar school because I was black, but I had the test scores to get in; had to work twice as hard to overcome people's perception of me because of my blackness; and was able to graduate with better grades and more honors than all the little white privileged kids surrounding me.
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You know what, AKA
[Read the article: Reexamining the Ferraro fracas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I did take what Ferraro said personally, obviously, as I am sure did lots of other professional black folks.
And, you know what else, AA didn't give me an edge on white people equally as talented; It gave me an edge on white people who weren't.
That's it. Please don't write to me anymore. I'm still shaking because of this. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
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That speech is why I voted for Obama
[Read the article: Barack Obama delivers make-or-break speech on race]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]And, not to change the subject, KateTex wrote:
Apparently, it's quite alright to irreparably harm the Clinton's longstanding, heartfelt, positive relationship with American blacks (so, what's one more schism in the Democratic party?), as long as this furthers the Obama cause.
Excuse me, but that's a load of crap. It wasn't Obama that did harm to that relationship, but the Clinton's themselves. Give black people some credit why don't you.
And also, I find you kind of sad. That you would break down that powerful speech about race relations in this country, one designed to help us get past these issues to embrace each other as fellow countrymen and women as manipulation makes me pity you. And all for Hillary Clinton. At least I'm finding other Clinton supporters on the Web give Obama the credit he deserves for that speech. That gives me hope that one day you, too, can give up on hate and bitterness and embrace your neighbor. Even if they don't look like you, are the same color, the same gender.
That an American can give a speech like that is one of the reasons that this IS the greatest country in the world.