Posted on 12/02/2004 12:39:11 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."
Colin Powell ran for president?
Okay, I'll "insinuate" it. CMB used race, rather than substance, to get what she got.
There is the double standard problem again. If you do not appoint minorities, you are a bigot. When you appoint them they are tokens. When are we all going to just stop this. It really gets us no where.
I hope Hannity hit back at Braun for this ridiculousness.
This is clear evidence of what's wrong with affirmative action. The same people who trumpet it are willing to use it to cast doubt on the abilities of those it supposedly helps. Not only is it revoltingly bigoted, it proves that aa perpetuates racism. The democrats have been on the wrong side of the race issue since the republican party was created.
We don't even need to go into the sexual harrassment allegations brought by her former campaign staff against her "fiance."
Not to mention that when she got elected to the Senate, rather than going to the introductory meetings that other new Senators went to, she went to Africa!
Almost as bad as a Kerry appearance.
Nice pic! Didn't exactly (1) person show up to this rally??
Over the course of a tumultuous six years, the Senator was tangled in a number of controversial situations: an unusually personal relationship with her campaign manager, a trip to visit the Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha, as well as personal misuse of campaign funds. With the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Mosley-Braun was torn between her devout support of the President and her responsibility to her constituents to denounce his misogynistic escapades.
On planet liberal no one qualifies as a minority unless they can pass a liberal litmus test. The true racists in this country are people like Jesse Jackson who won't celebrate the success of a minority such as Condi Rice because she doesn't bow to his liberal gods.
I almost didn't get the title.
The Clintons had to ship her to New Zealand (about as far away as it is possible to get) to allow the stench to die down.
I hear you, I just wanted to paint a virtually objective picture of CMB to even further the lunacy of their statements.
very articulate take. Using race to cast doubt is deplorable, and exactly why I posed the question at the end of what CMB would do if the tables were turned.... tell me what you think of my column on Affirmative Action/Welfare....etc.. http://www.davidehrlich.com/archives/WellFair.html
I was hoping it wasn't misleading. Not that anyone would take it literally, I think its a clever way of asking why he doesn't stand up for black conservatives.
Not only is it deplorable to use race to cast doubt, it is entirely reasonable in our political culture. The issue of race has been made so divisive and important that, as Jersey Republican Biker Chick said - "If you do not appoint minorities, you are a bigot. When you appoint them they are tokens."
I think that your article begins awkwardly, and this sentence doesn't make sense - "However, what if that person believes in society holding higher standards on its citizens as a yearning for their education?" but warms as it continues. The last part captures very well the truth that the conservative viewpoint has greater faith and esteem for minorities than the liberal view. As you can see, I can't say it very well myself.
I am flattered at your invitation to comment. If you would like, perhaps this thread could be used as a constructive comment board about your writing?
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