Gov. Paterson talks about race and the race
At the NAACP convention in Cincinnati, Gov. Paterson talked about his concern that Obama’s candidacy, while being a huge step forward for African Americans, is not the longterm solution to the continual disparities between blacks and whites.
Via the NY Times:
David A. Paterson, in his first major speech to a national audience since becoming governor of New York, said on Thursday that even as black Americans rejoice about the possibility that Senator Barack Obama could become president, they cannot lose sight of the serious social and economic ills that plague their community and should remain mindful of the racism that still exists.
Addressing those fissures in his speech, the governor said that he was not sure whether Americans would be able to put their differences aside in this election and support Mr. Obama.
“Can America reject the crucible of race that has dictated and pervaded all of our history to embrace an African-American man who has the right policies?” he said. “We will find out.”
Let’s hope so.
“Can America reject the crucible of race that has dictated and pervaded all of our history to embrace an African-American man who has the right policies?” he said. “We will find out.””
Playing the race card?
Not really.
Airbare answered the question correctly and much more succinctly that me.
Elmer - please explain why you thing this comment is playing the race card?
It is like the manager at work. He whispers with disgust to his assistant manager that we now have a black employee, while he stands in front of the employees in a diversity seminar touting the fact that racism and hate will NOT be tolerated.
We’ve all seen his face before.
(They whisper in disgust to the masses that you MUST vote for McCain to avoid having a black
assistant managerPresident, all the while telling the media or anyone else in a blog or public gathering that HATE will not be tolerated. “May the best man win!”Oh yeah, they’ll then tell you it’s better to have a black man than that nasty white woman and her white husband who they hate even more!
Certifiable indeedy!
Jiminy
I edited the comment to remove the personal reference. No need here.
I get the two face reference. But I still don’t see Elmer’s point. In fact until Elmer clarifies - There isn’t one to be made.
That’s cool
He answered his own question…but I have my own to ask him:
“Can we afford NOT to lose sight of the serious social and economic ills that plague our communities and the fact that racism still EXISTS and runs parallel to our failure?”
When we give hatred in all forms even an inch, it will always take at LEAST a mile. I don’t discriminate against which type of hatred it is - it’s been long enough.
ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL.
Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States.
David Paterson has been a great Governor to date, I’m truly impressed.
The last days of racism and hate are numbered.
Hope finally, finally has a chance.
We are all the Stewards of change and hope, each individually and as a group.
It’s our responsibility - we do so with pride.