Surprise — more race-baiting from the Clinton campaign!

This time, it’s from the candidate herself.

In attempts to make her case for the nomination (though her chances are currently slim), she wants to remind us that she is the candidate of white voters.

“I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on,” she said in an interview with USA TODAY. As evidence, Clinton cited an Associated Press article “that found how Sen. Obama’s support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me.”

“There’s a pattern emerging here,” she said.

Now, how is it that you have a much broader coalition when Obama has some of those same working-class white voters, some of those white women voters you tout, a solid majority of the black vote, a solid majority of the youth vote and more independent voters.

That, to me, is quite a broad base.

However, what Clinton is really doing is trying to remind white voters that Obama is the “black candidate” and insinuate that white America may not vote for a black guy.

Obviously, desperation is kicking in because, the kitchen sink strategy just went into overdrive.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Given my previous post, I found this clip particularly appropriate for what I was trying to convey, especially seeing what’s going on in the current presidential race.

Tim Wise has been on the forefront of dealing with the issues of race and racism for quite some time, now. Here’s an excerpt he’s given on white privilege and the roots of racism in America. He clearly breaks down down something that I have shared with my circle of friends for years — race, as an issue, is really a facade used to tell white people that, if you have nothing else, you have white skin privilege and that makes you superior. However, in the end, those conveying that notion are using it to preserve and expand their own power, influence, wealth, etc.

The video is below:

Popularity: 9% [?]

In looking at the candidacy of Barack Obama, I am reminded of something that I once read from author Amos Wilson. In his book, Black-On-Black Violence: The Psychodynamics of Black Self-Annihilation in Service of White Domination, Wilson referred to what being a black man is in America. To paraphrase him, a big part of our experience is that no matter how one might adjust one’s dress, tone or mannerisms, because you are a black man you are always going to be seen as foreign and, possibly, as a threat.

So, it was of little surprise to hear that, in Pennsylvania, the issue of race was glossed over, though it was clear that a significant number of white voters indicated that race was a factor in voting for Clinton. Granted, black turnout for Obama is extremely high, too but, most would agree that this tide did not turn his way until what was construed as race-baiting began in the Clinton camp (a charge I believe true). Prior to that, Sen. Clinton enjoyed an advantage among black voters.

Whatever the reason, a question is now coming forward: How big a role will race play in Obama’s march toward the White House? In the wake of large, majority-white, working-class states, there is a concern that Obama’s race may be factoring into the votes for these states. Okay, let’s step back for a minute. We know that Hillary Clinton will have to deal with sexism and, to a certain extent, McCain will deal with ageism. However, both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have advantages — they are white. Sorry to be blunt, but, it’s true. No one will question their patriotism out of hand (for example, how many questions do Clinton or McCain get about lapel flag pins, though I rarely see either wearing one). No one will tell Clinton or McCain who they can or cannot associate with if they want to be serious Presidential candidates (i.e. pastors) or, even more importantly, no one will ask either McCain or Clinton to “reject” or “denounce” people with whom they have no association (i.e. Minister Louis Farrakhan). However, when you’re black, your job becomes one of not only showing whether or not you’re qualified but, also, whether or not you’re “safe”. It’s as if there is some fear that if a black person is in charge, they’d look for retribution or revenge for past injustices.

To bring it down a notch, let’s focus on the Democratic party. For my entire life, Democrats have enjoyed the reliable loyalty of black people. Though I lean left, I still consider myself an Independent. (In fact, until this year, I would get issues-only ballots in primaries because I refused to be tied down to a party. I only declared this year in order to vote for Obama.) The reason why my independent streak kicked in was due to Clinton’s behavior in the White House in 1998. You see, I am not condemning the man for his sexual indiscretions. Instead, it was the actions of the Democrats that really bothered me. Nearly all we heard was spin and excuses but, what we should have been hearing was a clamor for President Clinton to simply tell the truth and put it behind him before things got out of hand. Because they did not, we ended up with President Bush and, a short while later, the Senate fell into Republican hands, which gave them a lock on the Executive and Legislative branches. This, in turn, allowed them to appoint the judges that favored their positions and allowed them to put total incompetents into positions overseeing the most major crises our nation has felt (ex. Donald Rumsfeld overseeing the Iraq War, Michael Brown overseeing FEMA after Hurricane Katrina and Alphonso Jackson overseeing HUD in our current mortgage crisis).

Also, let’s not forget that it was also Bill Clinton who brought us NAFTA, which further exacerbated our problems with lopsided trade policies, and brought us further deregulation in telecommunications which is all but killing independent and small media outlets.

But, even after all this, black people continued supporting the Democratic party, though the party continued to move further from our interests.

Today, I think we stand facing of a truth that we’ve been trying to ignore for a long time–the Democratic party and black folks may need to part company. Don’t get me wrong–unlike Republicans, there is at least an acknowledgment on the Democratic side that there are issues of concern that are particular to black people but, that’s not good enough any longer. If, after all our support, white Democrats feel comfortable saying that not wanting to vote for a candidate simply because of skin color is an acceptable criterion to use in voting, we, as black people, need to reevaluate our associations. Trust me, as my vote for John Kerry proves, I can hold my nose to vote for certain Democrats because, in my mind, George Bush’s presidency has been nothing short of a nightmare. But, if what I am reading is true, there are white Democrats out there willing to risk a continuation of Bush policies (via McCain) because they can’t bring themselves to vote for a black candidate.

I don’t know what the future will bring. However, at least for this cycle, the Democrats face a major quandary. They obviously need white voters but, are they willing to lose their black constituency because they are willing to cater to the racist elements within their white constituency? If so, they run the risk of alienating a group of voters who have been largely responsible for the electoral successes they’ve enjoyed for the last four decades.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Bill Clinton asks, “Who are you going to believe? Me or you lying ears?”

Here’s an exchange he had with an NBC Reporter today:

NBC/NJ: “Sir, what did you mean yesterday when you said that the Obama campaign was playing the race card on you?”

CLINTON: “When did I say that, and to whom did I say that?”

NBC/NJ: “On WHYY radio yesterday”

CLINTON: “No, no, no. That’s not what I said. You always follow me around and play these little games, and I’m not going to play your games today. This is a day about election day. Go back and see what the question was, and what my answer was. You have mischaracterized it to get another cheap story to divert the American people from the real urgent issues before us, and I choose not to play your game today. Have a nice day.”

NBC/NJ: “Respectfully sir, though, you did say …”

CLINTON: “Have a nice day.” [continues shaking hands with supporters]. I said what I said, you can go and look at the interview. And if you’ll be real honest, you’ll also report what the question was and what the answer was.”

However, Clinton did accuse the Obama camp of just that:

INTERVIEWER (RE: Jackson comment): “Do you think that was a mistake, and would you do that again?”

CLINTON: “No. I think that they played the race card on me. And we now know, from memos from the campaign and everything, that they planned to do it along.

So, why is this a big deal? Well, once you hear the interview in which he said the race card was played on him, it might put things in perspective but, honestly, it’s too late to be a big deal in Pennsylvania but, in other places it could cause problems because:

1. Bill Clinton has been caught playing with race already so, he keeps resurrecting this a big issue for his wife’s campaign.
2. He and Sen. Clinton have talked about how, if a candidate can’t take the heat, that person shouldn’t be in politics. Well, isn’t he crying, now?

At the end of the day, Bill has to deal with his own words. They are below:

Popularity: 12% [?]

An Indiana staffing firm has just agreed to a substantial settlement to settle discrimination claims.

The Renhill staffing company will pay $585,000 in an age, race and retaliation discrimination suit. According to the suit, brought forth by the EEOC, “Renhill’s Fort Wayne office and a former office in Decatur violated federal law by failing to refer African-American applicants and applicants ages 40 and older for work assignments.” Furthermore, the EEOC claimed that employees of the firm were retaliated against when they complained about these practices.

In addition to the financial settlement, Renhill will be under a consent decree for the next three years, so that monitors can ensure that the company’s discriminatory practices are not continuing.

Popularity: 76% [?]

I am 38 years old and don’t put up with being called ‘boy’. You see, I know the history behind how it was used to demean grown black men, telling them that they were not to be considered equal to white men but, instead, subservient.

Now, imagine that you are a 47-year-old black man, who happens to be a U.S. Senator and running for President, and some ignorant fool refers to you as a ‘boy’. How does that play out?

Republican representative Geoff Davis (KY) found himself eating a little crow and apologizing after some remarks he made at a fundraiser last Saturday.

Davis, in referring to what he feels are Obama’s lack of qualifications to be President, said the following:

“I’m gonna tell you something. That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button.”

The most telling part about this was not his comment but, the response to it:

The comment, which was first reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader’s blog Pol Watchers, was met by laughter and applause.

After word of the comment got out, Davis was forced to apologize and did so in a handwritten letter delivered to Obama’s Senate office.

There is a bit of irony to this, though. In this same speech, Davis chastised Obama over his “bitter” comments and made reference to the fact that his comments were recorded at a private fundraiser, presumably accusing him of playing games behind closed doors.

Well, Davis’ comments were made at a Republican fundraiser and managed to get into the wild, as well.

Something tells me Davis will measure his criticisms much better in the future.

Popularity: 39% [?]

You know, normally a comparison to Tiger Woods would be a good thing. Tiger came in an elevated the profile of the game of golf, creating an interest and revenues for the sport that hadn’t been seen in years. However, it is also undeniable that Tiger Woods is a person of color and some resent that fact.

So, sometimes, a comparison can be a bad thing, like when you just use it as a code word alluding to “the black guy” competing in what has been, traditionally, a white field of endeavor.

This brings us to congressional candidate David Bellavia. Bellavia is also the founder of the pro-war 527 group, Vets for Freedom. In warming up the crowd for McCain, Bellavia offered the following:

“Rest assured that people like Senator McCain will be the goal and the men that my two young boys will emulate an admire. You can have your Tiger Woods. We have Senator McCain. My friends, this is real audacity of hope.”

The video of his introduction is below.

Popularity: 10% [?]

MSNBC’s Chris Mathews decides to “get ethnic” while critiquing Barack Obama’s bowling styles, he then goes on to say that nobody should be surprised by Barack Obama’s basketball skills.

*slaps head*

Thanks to Media Matters for the clip.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Craig Holcomb is a white man suing his former employer for discrimination. Now, some might say, “what happened, did they hire a black person for a job he should have gotten?” In a word, no.

Holcomb is alleging he was fired because of who he chose to love and marry. Holcomb was the top assistant basketball coach at Iona College in New York. In 2004, Holcomb was fired from his coaching job by what he says were a group of racists in the athletict department. Specifically, he names the school’s Vice President and former Athletic Director Richard Petriccione as one of the main perpetrators. According to Holcomb, Petriccione repeatedly referred to players as “ni**ers” and called a Nigerian employee a “jungle bunny”. When it was clear that Holcomb was going to marry his then-fiancee Pamela Gauthier, a black woman, Holcomb said Pamela Gauthier told him, “You’re really going to marry that Aunt Jemima? You really are a ni**er lover.”

Originally, his case was thrown out of court because the judge ruled that Holcomb couldn’t file racial discrimination because the racial hostilities alleged were aimed at Holcomb’s wife. However, the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Manhattan has reinstated his case, ruling that it would be possible for Holcomb to be discriminated against due to his association with his wife.

Holcomb with have his day in court and a college will have to answer questions of discrimination. If true, this is a sad commentary and a reminder that, even today, some people want to enact their own miscegenation laws.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Look, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Pat Buchanan is a racist. He tries to dress it up the clothes of the old, codgerly uncle but, it’s clear to me that the man knows exactly what he’s doing. More sad is the fact that, via outlets like MSNBC, he is given legitimacy. But, it seems to me that he saves his greatest vitriol for his writing. Previously, I shared an excerpt from one of his books where he thought America was doomed because black and brown people would soon be in the majority.

More recently, he outdid himself. While chiming in on the Rev. Wright controversy, Buchanan used his blog to go on a racist screed. You can read the entire post for yourselves but, here’s one passage that really caught my attention:

“First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known.

Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.

Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the ’60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream.

Governments, businesses and colleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks — with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas — to advance black applicants over white applicants.

Churches, foundations, civic groups, schools and individuals all over America have donated time and money to support soup kitchens, adult education, day care, retirement and nursing homes for blacks.

We hear the grievances. Where is the gratitude?”

Translation: Slavery was good for black people and, since then, all black people have been are welfare cases. Needless to say, Buchanan has an audience for this garbage and many, no doubt, will cosign this mess. However, I am glad that he’s been called on this. On Friday’s Real Time, host Bill Maher brought up the issue and Tavis Smiley weighed in on it. He used a phrase to describe Buchanan that I will adopt — he called Buchanan a “racial arsonist”. There couldn’t be a more appropriate term. Here’s a clip from the show.

Popularity: 14% [?]