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September 12, 2004
Kerry Discovers Racism: a Little Late, Dont'cha Think?
So, John Kerry has apparently come to the conclusion that the GOP may seek to suppress black voter turnout in the upcoming election. This, he has concluded, a mere four years after they managed to do just that in Florida (and elsewhere) in 2000, after which time, Kerry the Senator DID NOTHING and said NOTHING about it, as with the rest of the white Democratic Party establishment, from Al Gore on down.
Amazing how nice white liberals like Kerry become indignant only when that indignation might help THEM, and not when it's needed to correct a grievous wrong done to others. Also, note that Kerry has only raised this issue publicly in front of the Congressional Black Caucus, but has yet to bring this issue up prominently in front of white audiences. Like most white liberals, challenging other whites on racism, and the ways in which power is maintained via racial domination and subordination, is something Kerry is far too afraid to do. So he goes before a friendly crowd and holds church, while downplaying the GOPs race politics every other day...If Kerry had any real guts, or principles on this issue, he'd run a commercial about racial/racist disenfranchisement, and not just talk about it at politically safe meetings...
And, not to put too fine a point on it, but Kerry's own votes in favor of Clinton-era crime legislation, resulted in the incarceration of tens of thousands of African Americans--mostly for non-violent and disproportionately for drug related offenses--thereby contributing to the very loss of voting rights about which he now complains. Not to mention the difficulties then experienced by many of these individuals after being released, in terms of finding steady employment, housing, etc.
If Kerry wants to boost black voting, the easiest way to do it would be to stop supporting laws that criminalize drug use and prop up the entirely racist war on drugs: a war that results in blacks being 35 percent of those arrested for drug use (despite being only 13 percent of users), and 75 percent of those incarcerated for drugs. These black inmates then lose voting rights while in jail, in most all states, and even lose their rights after release in several (including the key electoral state of Florida, of course). Yet, according to Kerry's own website, he is proud of his get tough on crime/drugs record, so don't expect a change of tune anytime soon.
Posted by timwise at September 12, 2004 11:39 AM