A lesson from Condoleezza Rice

Boston Globe | 11-20-02 | By Derrick Z. Jackson,

[Temple Owl]

One does not have to like Rice's politics to appreciate how being twice as good has made her the most powerful woman in the world.

She is also bright and beautiful and probably destined to be the America's first woman president. She's got my vote.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I think Dr. Rice's point is that we are all individuals first and part of a group second. The first being much more important than the latter.

[SwinneySwitch]

Rice for President!

[Mike Darancette]

''We don't talk about it very much, but, yes ... it is a very good thing for the rest of the world that when Colin Powell and I walk in with the president of the United States, we are there as secretary of state and national security adviser, because I think it says to people that there aren't boundaries in which black Americans are not supposed to play

When African-Americans walked in with Clinton they were usually there as representatives of a constituent group getting some boon from the government ... takers not givers ... subservient clients not respected equals and contributors.

When I think of Dr. Rice I see no color, only a shining soul. I sincerely hope she continues to rise to the top.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Nice article. Enjoy :o)

[Drango]

Rice for President!

YES, and the stepping stone for that is Barbara Boxer's Seneate seat in California!

[Mike K]

In a Newsweek interview last year, Rice said, ''It wasn't as if someone said, `You have to be twice as good' and `isn't that a pity' or `isn't that wrong.' It was just, `You have to be twice as good.'''

Based on my experience, I don't buy the twice as good stuff. Being intelligent, hard working and good looking gives her advantages that are absolutely not available to everyone.

[MP5]

''If you've been through home-grown terrorism,'' Rice said, ''you recognize there isn't any cause that can be served by it ... Because what it's meant to do is end the conversation.''

Very true. All the "blame America" idiots should stop trying to figure out what we did to piss off the terrorists, and recognize this fact.

[paul51]

Smart, competanet, class act. We are lucky to have her in the administration. What a contrast to the collection of losers in the previous administration....and I mean the white ones at that.

[paul51]

YES, and the stepping stone for that is Barbara Boxer's Seneate seat in California!

I can only hope

[Tuco-bad]

That reminded me of around 1965 when I was about 10. I bought comic books and ice cream in a drug store in DeKalb, Miss. Later, my grandfather informed me that was the ''white folks'' drug store. He could have berated me for breaking white folks' rules. Instead, he smiled and said, ''Good.''

There weren't ''white folks'' drug store in 1965 because they were outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

BTW - I like fairy tales also.

[MP5]

There weren't ''white folks'' drug store in 1965 because they were outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
I'm sure that just wiped all the racism away. Mississippi must have been a bastion of tolerance.

[gcampbell]

Right. After the Civil Rights Act, formerly white-only institutions just reached out and embraced black folks with open arms. There certainly weren't any places where black people "just shouldn't go", huh?

Do you need on a refresher on the differences between de jure and de facto segregation?

[Mr. Thorne]

There weren't ''white folks'' drug store in 1965 because they were outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

And, like a ray of light, suddenly the color barriers came down, and all was right with the world. And there remained no bigots in the deep south, who would dare keep a colored person from a store.

BTW - I like fairy tales also.

Me, I like modifiers. Modifiers like 'about' and 'around'.

[cake_crumb]

Good article, but I take exception to the racist remark about "white conservatives" who say race doesn't matter. Condi Rice is great woman. Attractive, cerebral, witty. It's such a shame that so many authors are so obsessed with her race that they don't bother talking to the woman behind the skin coloration.

I'm white, a conservative, and can care less about race. I care about ability. If you throw your race up in my face, that is an indication that you, not I, have a problem with race.

[chiefqc]

And the all time loser, you know, what's her name the one elected for the senate by the voters of New York>

Oh wait I remember now, Black crusty stinking pants suit herself, Crusty Klinton

[Lando Lincoln]

...I'd rather be ignored than patronized."

What a strong concept. While the left professes to be intellectual, this is beyond their understanding. Condi has my vote - no doubt!!

[ThePythonicCow]

There weren't ''white folks'' drug store in 1965 because they were outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

To echo what others have said in reply above, but in different words: I'm sure that if there was a "white folks" drug store in 1964, when the Civil Rights Act was passed, then everyone in town excepting perhaps a clueless newcomer still knew that it was the "white folks" drug store in 1965. Small towns don't forget their heritage that fast.

[Britton J Wingfield]

There weren't ''white folks'' drug store in 1965 because they were outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Right this second there are plenty of establishments that one would be advised to stay the hell out of, unless one is the proper color. Some black, some white, some hispanic, etc...

Failure to do so can lead to 'extra-judicial' action.

[Mr. Bird]

There weren't ''white folks'' drug store in 1965 because they were outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Just to pile on: and there are no guns in D.C. because they are outlawed.