Carl Limbacher: Blacks React to Heinz Kerry on Kevin McCullough's Radio Show

NewsMax ^ | 3.14.2004 | Carl Limbacher

[KMC1]

With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

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Friday, March 12, 2004 3:48 p.m. EST Blacks React to Heinz Kerry's 'African American' Claim Blacks have a mixed reaction to Teresa Heinz Kerry's claim that she's "African American," at least according to an informal survey conducted this week by WMCA-NY radio host Kevin McCullough. On Tuesday McCullough posed the question to his black listeners, asking if it was appropriate for the Mozambique-born first lady wannabe to describe herself using the term, which is universally interpreted in the U.S. to mean black. Caller Elgin from the Bronx said Heinz Kerry's claim didn't particularly bother him, but noted, "She's one of the whitest women imaginable. It's kind of reminiscent of Sammy Davis junior considering himself Jewish." Carona from Brooklyn was less sympathetic, saying, "I resent all these people claiming they're black. When you're African-American, you know who's black and who's white." Likewise, Kiesha from New Jersey had trouble with Mrs. Kerry's claim, telling McCullough, "I don't even remember her ever saying she was born in Mozambique." She wanted to know, "Which part of her African heritage is she identifying with? Is it the white part or is it the black part? And we all know that there isn't any black African association that she has." But Heinz Kerry, who has referred to herself as "African American" (without the hyphen) since she came to the U.S. in 1964, had just as many black defenders, who said it did bother them as long as she was referring to her place of birth and not her race. McCullough, who moved to WMCA last July after building a following at WYLL in Chicago, took some heat from Anne of New Jersey: "I don't understand why this whole issue is being whipped up. ... She is African American, although she doesn't fit the role." Arness from the Bronx agreed, saying: "It doesn't matter. Teresa Heinz Kerry is just acknowledging her ancestry." Still, by the end of the debate, Dorothy from Rochelle Park was still skeptical, telling McCullough, "Ray Charles could see through this." Listen to the Kevin McCullough Show 1 to 4 p.m. ET weekdays on WMCA and WWDJ.

[KMC1]

[pacpam]

A student from South Africa, who was white, got suspended for calling himself an African-American during school.

[kenth]

Maybe we just need another hyphen. She should say she's an African-African-American to distinguish herself from the American-African-Americans.

[MCFujiTanker]

Three of my five children were born in Japan while I was stationed there. Their births were recorded by the American Embassy and they were issued U.S. Citizen birth certifcates and U.S. Passports. We never refer to them as "Japanese American". The pickle lady's claims are baloney!! Semper Fi.

[Sgt_Schultze]

Those in the US who benefit from the labels get angry when the labels they prefer aren't really accurate. Ernie Els is more African than is Tiger Woods.

[Cosmo]

How about white African Americans simply call themselves " Colonial African Americans" or "Imperial African Americans" ?

[nopardons]

Then white and black Americans should call themselves what? Conquering Americans and Slave Americans? And those who have Indian ancestors should be known as Killers of the FIRST Americans?

Jesse Jackson pushed this "African-American " garbage on us.Before that, Blacks were known as Negroes, Blacks, Coloreds,and more.

Americans should just be proud to be called !

[Cosmo]

I assume you realize I was being facetious, right?:)

[nopardons]

Yes,I did, which is why I attempted something humorous too. I guess mine fell flat. :-(

[Eva]

I was just going to post about that, he ran for some honor for African American students. I thought it was pretty funny. The school just didn't have much of a sense of humor.

[Political Junkie Too]

What this is really about is the realization amongst the African-American community that the marginalization of the black vote, and being taken for granted like the Republicans have been claiming, is finally coming home to roost.

When I white guy like Kerry, who has already passed himself off as Irish and Jewish, now claims to be "black" for votes, you've got to wonder whether the Democrats really take your constituency seriously.

-PJ

[Cosmo]

LOL! I only recently started getting so touchy and insecure -- ever since I was lambasted by one of our kookier FRiends for a position I never actually took.

[nopardons]

Don't think twice about it;we all have been put in that position, by a few of those people.