It’s hard to defend the right against charges of racism when some on the right (and their spouses) clearly say or write things that are rightfully impossible to defend.
Imagine having dark skin and name recognition and the nerve to think that equalled knowing something about politics
— Email from Jennifer Delany to Carl Lewis’s campaign team
To his credit, Republican Pat Delany issued a prompt apology and resignation for his wife’s “outburst”. We all know what it takes to get an admission of guilt, let alone resignation from a Democrat, but this is just another self-inflicted wound that splattered on all of us.
I must be extremely thick-headed, Bob, but was the statement true or not?
Skin color does not equate to experience or knowledge. Lotsa people with more melanin in their skin that are definitely smarter than me, but they earned it by dint of hard work and study.
Must be me………..
My thought as well, Although I would like to see the entire letter, not just the out of context statement.
As long as there is institutional discrimination by incidental features, including: skin color, gender, sexual orientation, etc.; and as along as we continue to suffer “historical moments”; then this statement is not racist, but normal.
Delany should not have resigned. He is not responsible for any remarks made by his wife.
That said, if Lewis, or his official representatives and employees, have not stooped to exploiting the confused nature of so many Americans, then an apology from Delany — as a representative — was appropriate.
It’s unfortunate that people of principle have to be sacrificed in order to counter a regressive order.
“Imagine having dark skin and name recognition and the nerve to think that equalled knowing something about politics” – Jennifer Delany
In 2008, 52% of the voters for POTUS thought so. Exhibit “A”: Barack Hussein Obama.
She probably didn’t need to say it in those terms; but wondering about his qualifications?
However, being an athlete does not make him an idiot, but liberalism might…
I have to agree with TexRex and Igor. I’d like to see the rest of the statement, but what is quoted here seems pretty benign.
If we alter the context and pretend for a moment that Delaney’s wife is black, and she had said “Imagine having [white] skin and name recognition and the nerve to think that equalled knowing something about politics.”- would there be controversy?
If that were the case, wouldn’t we be wondering which white skinned pundit was spouting off nonsense but expecting people to trust it because s/he was white?
At the very worst, it sounds like she’s accusing someone of using the ‘race card’.
Help me out here, is there more to the story?
No, I think that covers it. There is a missing context, including knowledge if she was following the “golden rule.” In light of an exceedingly selective rule, especially in politics, I could not outright criticize her statement, but I would still offer a benefit-of-the-doubt to both parties.
I agree with all the posts so far made.
I’m sorry, but I must be thick-headed, too. Yes, it’s stupid for her to make such a comment given that her husband is running against Lewis; but, her comment echoed the sentiment of many with regard to Obama. It was his skin color coupled with Liberal White Guilt that got Obama the nomination and the election. Obama was just judged by the color of his skin and certainly not by his qualifications (or lack thereof) or the content of his character (nor by the characters he kept company with) — Obama was pre-judged to be superior to the other candidates solely on the basis of his skin color. I think the wife’s sentiments alluded to the PC criteria that were used to give Obama the Office.
Still stupid, though, for her to voice that opinion, let alone send it to Lewis’ office. Dumb, yes. Racist — not so sure.
Well I’m black and I could agree with her.
My problem is her husband throwing her under the bus and resigning to boot.
Republicans without spines.
I guess she now knows how much her husband would back her up…
That’s a fair consideration. He has, above all, an unending commitment to her. Still, in the interests of diplomacy, and absent a reasonable premise for her response, would an apology be merited?
Well, this is the reason why I am not a politician, and why I struggle to cope with people who do not follow the golden rule.
All I can say is thank you to the warrior class. We would not enjoy a civilized society without you.
Ah, diplomacy – the art of saying “nice doggie!” while reaching behind you for a big stick. Or a .45.
I too thank the warrior class, those willing to die for me whilst I sleep soundly in my nice, warm ,safe, comfortable bed. Now, mind you, I served, but that time is long passed and the next generation has taken up the slack. BOY, have they taken up the slack!
Exactly.
After I read this, I thought to myself: If I were a woman and married to that so-called man, I’d at least give some thought to not being married to him.
Seems to me she had no reason to be sending e-mails to the Lewis campaign at all …. that is where this came from …. correct? So her personal views on Lewis or black politicians really have no bearing on her husbands position at all. Seems to me also that were the shoe on the other political foot there would be no appologies or withdrawals.
Is this not the same Carl Lewis charged by many as a cheat who managed to avoid doping tests in the Olympics?
Or would that be considered out of bounds as well….?
Well I’m glad I’m not the only one…..
When I first read this, was trying to figure out what on earth is racist about it. Unnecessary to be sure & not good politics to have pointed it out. But since we don’t know the history here or even what else was in the email, it is hard to judge why this statement was made at all. But I don’t get why it is considered racist other than the fact that some of us (white people) are never allowed to mention it.