Here's ANOTHER letter to the Editor:
How racism works--
What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review? What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class? What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said 'I do' to? What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?
What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization? What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard? What if Obama were a member of the 'Keating 5'? What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?
If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?
This is what racism does: When there is a color difference, it covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another.
- Kelvin LaFond, Fort Worth
6 comments:
AMEN!!
What if John McCain would not have been able to get into Harvard because there wasn’t affirmative action back then? What if John McCain went to a military academy instead and, despite his grades, became a war hero? What if Democrats stopped being selective about when extramarital affairs matter, and when they do not? What if people acknowledged that only the two people involved in a divorce really know what happened? What if people acknowledged that John McCain and his ex-wife, Carol, are still good friends and that he pays entirely for her cost of living and all of her medical bills?
What if people acknowledged that John McCain was acquitted in the Keating ordeal, and was just accused of, and admitted to, using poor judgment? What if Obama would admit to using poor judgment when he spent twenty years attending a radical, anti-American church? Or when purchasing land from a convicted felon? Or when knowingly working, personally and professionally, with an unrepentant terrorist? Or when taking fraudulent campaign contributions? Or when taking more money than any other Senator (except one) from Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac? Or for having ties to an organization that is currently disrupting (and corrupting) the election process? What if McCain is a passionate speaker, but refuses to make ridiculous promises to the American people in order to get elected?
What if the election numbers are as close as they are because not everyone believes the hype? What if the numbers are as close as they are because of voter fraud?
This is how an accusation of racism works: when there is a color difference, it gets pointed out, exploited, it is repeatedly brought up when the other side hasn’t mentioned it, and an attempt is made to "guilt" people into voting for a candidate, simply because of the color of his skin.
Mr. LaFond’s letter speaks of highlighting and lowlighting qualities of the presidential candidates (and their wives, which I fail to see any relevance). While he manages to cite two actual examples of qualities: college attendance and speaking ability, he fails to make any reference to qualifications.
Campaigns have historically (as in, even before this election) worked by highlighting your candidate’s qualifications and downplaying your opponent’s, or by highlighting your opponent’s downfalls. To label this practice as “racist” is preposterous and undermines the actual racism that still exists in this country. Not to mention that I’m offended and, quite frankly, tired of being accused of racism because I’m not voting for Barack Obama. My choice in this year’s election has NOTHING to do with the color of the candidates' skin, and EVERYTHING to do with their resumés.
--Lori M.
Marysville, Ohio
I guess I should have prefaced this (as I do when sharing things with my family) that I find different people's thoughts on this particular election so interesting. Some I agree with, some I don't. People are just so passionate about this, a lot of my family enjoyed reading this particular person's rant, so I shared it. I don't think all people voting for McCain are racist. I don't throw stones at people that have different political views than me. I have the utmost respect for others.
My comment addressed the content of this letter (line by line) and the author's allegations of racism. I never made any suggestion of where you personally stand with regard to the author's opinions, although one might assume that you are in agreeance, since you posted his letter on your blog. I know I was in agreeance with ANOTHER letter that I posted on my blog. And, if one didn't know that you were taking a swipe at Hurley with your post title, one might assume that you really meant "Yeah, race CAN have its place in this election."
I realize that you don't throw stones at people who have different political views than you, but the author of this letter does. He is alleging racism for the practice of traditional campaigning techniques. Since I knew that you were interested in different people's thoughts on this matter, I shared mine.
And I LOVE that you do! It's hard to "hear" how people are saying things when it's written online, you know?? Plus, I wouldn't angrily take a swipe at Hurley, and given our exchanges, I think he should know that... well unless he REALLY made me mad...
I agree with the letter. Racism is alive and kickin' in America. Obama should be winning by a landslide. Republicans have controlled the executive branch for 8 years and the legislative branch for 6 of the last 8 years. And look at where we are? This country is in shambles. Clearly, there needs to be a party shift and a REAL change in leadership. But many just see race when they look at Obama and McCain.
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