I'm rooting for Condi in '08, first woman and first Black. http://www.ajc.com/tuesday/content/epaper/editions/tuesday/opinion_0465ba496455d0d900e5.html -- First black president should be, well, black Cary Clack - San Antonio Express-News Tuesday, March 16, 2004 When asked to name a prominent African-American, one name pops into the minds of many people: John Kerry. Hail to the brother. The senator from Massachusetts and presumptive Democratic nominee for president was criticized by a Pennsylvania-based civil rights organization for a comment he made last week. In an interview with the American Urban Radio Network, Kerry said, ''President Clinton was often known as the first black president. I wouldn't be upset if I could earn the right to be the second." Paula Harris, the founder of the Andrew Young National Center for Social Change, wants Kerry to apologize. ''John Kerry is not a black man," she told the Associated Press. ''He is a privileged white man who has no idea what it is in this country to be a poor white in this country, let alone a black man." But we underestimate the human capacity for imagination and understanding when we suggest that people are incapable of identifying with people whose experiences are different than theirs. Kerry, not wanting to alienate a group of voters he'll need in November, was simply saying he wants to be known as a president whom African-Americans can trust. But enough of this honorary black president jive. It was Toni Morrison, the first African-American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, who, tongue-in-cheek in a 1998 piece in the New Yorker, called Clinton ''our first black president." She wrote, ''Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working class, saxophone playing, McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas." Clinton himself has jokingly referred to himself as the first black president. Thus Kerry's desire to be known as the second black president. That's nice, but call me old-fashioned and a stickler for details. I'd like for the first black president of the United States to be, well, black. It doesn't matter which party is bold enough to nominate the first. But it's best that ''The First" actually be a first --- like U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. or U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. or national security adviser Condoleezza Rice --- instead of a surrogate. Someone who is actually --- and here's that word again --- black. Better the real thing than a political minstrel show in reverse with the actors in white face. But even before the first black president takes the oath of office, I'd be happy with little things like the Democrats not taking the black vote for granted and the Republicans competing seriously for the black vote. When the Rev. Jesse Jackson easily won the 1988 Michigan caucuses, he sent tremors through the Democratic establishment, which worried he might actually win the nomination. He didn't, but that campaign was the most successful ever run by a black candidate. The great ''what if?" is what would have happened had Colin Powell decided in 1996 to convert his enormous popularity into the GOP nomination. So Clinton wasn't the first black president, and Kerry won't be the second, honorary not withstanding. That's a ''first" not yet seen. But should Kerry be elected president, history will be made. His wife was born in Mozambique in southern Africa. Yes, Teresa Heinz Kerry would become our first African-American first lady. Cary Clack is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News.
mark -- seriously...i don't want to ban rhetoric...but this was an absolutely stupid statement by John Kerry. absolutely silly...and while i'm not black, i'm thinking it would be mildly offensive...or at least prompt a roll of the eyes, from black Americans.
Max I see your point. But I also believe that Kerry knows he's not black, black people know Kerry is not black and all he was trying to say is that he wants to appeal to black people. I think intelligent people can discern the difference. And I also agree with basso on the point that one day I would LOVE to see an African American or Hispanic American become president. I had all the faith in the world in Powell and would have loved to see him take a shot until he became the lap dog of this administration.
i understand your point, too, mark. i guess my point is it seems he can still have a message that appeals to black america without saying, "i'm black." hell, i'm white and i can't relate to the kind of wealth and lifestyle kerry has been afforded. i'm thinking there are large numbers of poor black families going, "yeah...you're black...right." and then promptly rolling their eyes. but ultimately i don't think this is a big deal...i don't have strong feelings on this issue!
With everything else in the world to worry about in this election this is probably one of the dumbest things to talk about but... John Kerry never said he was black, he said Bill Clinton was "often known" as the first bacl president and wouldnt be upset if he earned the right to be the second. But this comment was just stupid.... ''John Kerry is not a black man," she told the Associated Press. ''He is a privileged white man who has no idea what it is in this country to be a poor white in this country, let alone a black man." Just because someone grew up well off doesnt mean they cant understand what its like to be in a different situation. That's just so ignorant to say something like that. Did John Kerry stay in a hotel during Vietnam, or did he stay with the "poor whites and blacks" who were the majority of fighters there (along with poor hispanics). I would understand if John Kerry was a ceo of some fortune 500 company and never left his mansion. But the man has been in public service for over 35 years. Of course he would know a little bit about poverty and racial issues. Its no wonder why we can never solve any issues in this country when people are wasting time on issues like this.
I can't believe this is being made into an issue, but a doctored photo of John Kerry that made the rounds on all the networks and magazines isn't talked about. Could you imagine the Republican uproar if it had been Bush's picture that was doctored in someway?
What's the big deal about this? I see nothing offensive about it at all. Is anybody upset besides middle aged republican white males like basso? Nothing to see here...move it along basso: you're like 0-45 on Kerry related scandalmongering, maybe you should take a break and regroup.
Could you imagine the Democratic uproar if it had been a white Republican that said "I'm black"? I agree that this is a silly 'issue' but I wonder what would happen if the roles were reversed.
It wasn't a great statement on Kerry's part but I don't think this is going to translate into more Black votes for GW Bush or less Black votes for Kerry.
That's nice...too bad Kerry didn't say that. If the roles were reversed? I think the universe would probably end if a Republican presidential candidate saide he wanted to be like Clinton.
these things wouldn't come up if Kerry actually talked about the issues in any way except vague generalitites, instead of fantasy foreign functionaries.
You mean if Fox news didn't pounce on every insignificant thing he said, twist it into something pathetic, and then you posted here like he did somethigng really evil, like, oh I don't know, lie to Congress and the American people to start a war. Like you would listen to anything he said when he does talk about issues. Please.
He may not be black, but he rides a mean snowboard! Senator John Kerry, who is taking a five-day break from the campaign trail, worked his way down the slopes of Sun Valley, Idaho, on Thursday.
you should read his quote in context before you jump to reaction which is what the republican deception think machine is trying to get you to do.
