Letters to the Editor
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Pols and their statements as interpreted by journalists...
Why is it assumed that Democratic politicians never mean the racially charged statements in the derogatory way in which they are inferred? However, that same benefit of the doubt is never applied to Republican politicians.
It is not too much of me to ask that the same standards of objectivity be applied to both sides of the aisle. Journalists with journalistic integrity are an endangered species.
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Sexual slavery and the caste system was not what we were talking about...
But I 100% agree with you that other forms of slavery exist (not sure about the genesis of Russian slavery--i.e. gender or class or race based) and are GROWING, but I do NOT lump gender based slavery in with racial slavery because we are talking about RACE based slavery specifically in regards to this political election and the situation in America.
The hypocrisy is what I want to address, specifically in regards to black Americans labeling white Americans as both racist and beneficiaries of slavery. The African continent and her people are equally as guilty, with a big difference being that they CONTINUE this practice today while America not only stopped but established many programs to combat residual effects of slavery. This hypocrisy is what makes me dizzy, and is what we are speaking about specifically as it relates to Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton.
I did not talk about poverty and the problems of welfare in the white community because it was not the issue at hand. However, I can go there immediately. MORE white people are on forms of welfare than all other subgroups but together, and many of the same problems afflicting people of color afflict them.
My heart breaks for poor women and children, and if I could pull them all up and out of poverty I would do so. The problem is that from my perspective, and it is one based on a lifetime of first hand information and love, the problem cannot be solved purely with money. It has to start in the home, in the family, in the heart. Tell me how to do this, and I will already be there doing it. And I won't stop until every child has a chance at a good life.
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I think your are missing a critical point...
Clinton and her supporters present their analysis of the racial dynamics of this campaign in venues where they are limited to making sound bites that will communicate the abbreviated message that they intend: "Obama does not get the white vote". You can try to spin this anyway you choose but these people are not dumb. They know exactly what they are doing.
Clinton's comments to USA Today did not occur in isolation. Her comment is the latest in a series comments and actions that send a clear message. Had this been the only racially tinged commentary, I would give her the benefit of the doubt. She is clearly saying whites that voted for her will not vote for Obama. Her analysis is bogus. Obama has yet to make his case to these votes removed from these voters having a viable alternative to him.
One thing commentators like you continually neglect to mention is that Clinton started off with 80% of the black vote. She and her surrogates pushed many blacks to Obama, including me.
I would buy your analysis that Clinton's comments were benign if she had ever made a comment similar to John Edwards', in which he said if you are voting for him because you won't vote for a black person or a woman, I don't want your vote. Hillary would never make such a comment.
Donna Brazille is one of the only party leaders willing to get in the face of Clinton's corrupt shills. If the Democrat leadership does not repudiate her, then this party is as bankrupt as she is.
If Obama's run at the Whitehouse fails, don't forget Hillary's contribution to helping defeat him. I won't.
Les
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proud texas girl
when you start complaining about money thrown at social work...I tend to think you are outing yourself as a Republican.
I have also worked in social work and social services and I never heard anyone complaining about too much money being the source of our problems. Generally we faced funding cut after funding cut, revenue cut after revenue cut. Particularly right now with gas at a premium, the economy looking worse for jobs, food costs rising, why are you complaining about there being too much money in social services to solve our problems?
And as for racism in America, I'm sorry you don't have a very deep understanding of white racism. For example, schools "throw money" at predominantly white schools at a rate of 2:1 or more than the public finances schools for predominantly African American schools. This is going on right now...today. And would you complain about too much money being thrown at your own childrens' schools?
I'm sorry that you don't have a very good take on these things. I'm guessing that you are a Republican who hoped to vote for Hillary Clinton in the general election because you personally admire her. I hope, for the sake of the policies she represents, you will vote for someone who holds the most similar policies, but I'm not sure that this is what you will do.
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From Joan Walsh
pf1934, that was a great post. Likewise, susan sunflower. Carol, thank you for framing these questions. I'm not sure what to think about how Obama would be doing if Clinton had (for whatever reason) dropped out months ago, or hadn't run. I think that I think (forgive me, I'm really not sure about this, and I can't be, because it's hypothetical) that the doubts of white working class voters would have come out during the general election against McCain, if Obama hadn't had to run a protracted primary battle.
If you go back to my posts about Pennsylvania, I explained that I believe Obama's overall message of process change, changing Washington, reform, etc., probably resonates more with educated elites than working class voters. Yes, there is also racism out there which might limit his appeal, but I personally believe that's less a factor than the sometimes ethereal nature of Obama's pitch, combined with the fact that much of the white working class associates the Clintons with good economic times. So I do believe that his race with Clinton gives him a chance to work on his pitch to white working class voters and improve it in the fall. I also think I was right about the potential divisive impact of the Rev. Wright reappearance -- and Obama certainly seemed to see that, because he quickly moved to put even more distance between himself and his former pastor. I think it was much better for Obama that happened in May and not October.
Now, it's also likely that Clinton's campaign to date has heightened the divisions in the party, and increased some working class voters' skepticism about Obama. So it would be disingenuous for me to insist that her campaign only helps Obama! I'm going to be writing more about that in my next post. Hope that helps explain my thinking on this question.