Posted on 12/02/2004 12:42:52 PM PST by zetapsi
On last night's edition of Hannity and Colmes on Foxnews, Allan Colmes had a delightful conversation with former ambassador, Senator, and 2004 Democratic Presidential also-ran, Carol Mosley Braun. The topic of said conversation was the validity of President Bsh's new cabinet nominations in relation to the race of those nominees. Colmes questioned Braun, "Are these appointments 'symbolism' or 'substance?'" This question was in reference to the nominations of Condoleeza Rice, an African American, to be Secretary of State, Alberto Gonzalez, a Hispanic, to be Attorney General, and Carlos Guitierrez, also a Hispanic, to be Secretary of Commerce. Mosley Braun slyly commented, "That is the question, isn't it."
The fact that Carol Mosley Braun, was not deeply offended by this question, in fact felt it to be poignant, is very informative on the place of race in today's political arena. If this question had come from a Republican about an Democrat who happened to be a minority, this would be a scandal, but since the roles are reversed, this is normal cable news speak.
There are two ways conservative minority citizens who rise to power are portrayed. One is that they are a puppet, a Public Relations tool, used by Republicans to reach out to the minority communities. Condoleeza Rice has been putting up with this label since she took on the role of National Security Advisor. This same label has been extended to J.C. Watts and numerous other prominent minority conservative leaders. The other label is that of "Uncle Tom," and a "black sheep," so to speak. Clarence Thomas was bombarded by this during his nomination to the Supreme Court. Reverend Al Sharpton even said of Thomas, "He's my color, but not my kind." Even Colin Powell was hit with the, "How could you!" mantra during his brief Presidential bid in 1996.
In the past few weeks, there have been political cartoons portraying Condoleeza Rice as a slave, Aunt Jemima, and with sexual implications with President Bush. Alberto Gonzalez and Carlos Guitierrez are being called "Affirmative Action Hires" and "symbolic." Where is Jesse Jackson when you need him? Where is the ACLU? Where are the legions of Civil Rights attorneys in defense of Condi, Alberto, and Carlos? I guess they don't think these people are worth defending because they disagree with them politically. How convenient.
It is shameful that minorities should EVER have to defend themselves of racial insinuations when holding high office, conservative or liberal. These statements denigrate the work and accomplishments of these great Americans. Condoleeza Rice has risen from humble Birmingham, Alabama, to being on the National Security Council under Bush 41, NSA and soon to be Sec. of State under Bush 43. Carlos Guitierrez rose from being a cereal delivery truck driver, to the CEO of Kellogg, and soon to be Sec. of Commerce. Alberto Gonzalez was born into a family of migrant workers with seven siblings, grew up in a house without running water, fought his way to Rice University and Harvard Law School, a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court, and will soon be the Attorney General of the United States. Is it "symbolism" or "substance?" I don't even want to answer that question, because doing so would dignify the question's legitimacy, when it would be better served to analyze its implications as it has completely insulted the hard work of these great Americans.
Carol Mosley Braun is an African-American woman who catapulted herself to the U.S. Senate and ambassadorship, I wonder what she would say if anyone insinuated that her accomplishments were due to "symbolism."
Imagine the outrage from the Left and from left-wing black groups if Paige or Condi Rice was hit with corruption.
"Measley Brains," I gotta borrow that one!! Just in the past few weeks we've seen James Carville make jokes about homosexuality, cartoonists portray Condi as a slave, and now these types of questions being asked about Guitierrez and Gonzalez, it really is deplorable and astounding.
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