May 8th, 2008Dear Senator Clinton
“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.”
Emphasis mine. How dare you. Hard-working Americans are white, huh? All of those other pesky colored folks must be screwing up the curve, stealing your jobs, plundering your businesses. That one statement shows exactly why people like Jeremiah Wright are angry with America. That statement shows exactly why you are the wrong person to be President of the United States. In case you hadn’t noticed - if you want this job of President you’re going to have to win over a hell of a lot more people than your “hard-working Americans, white Americans.” Not everyone in this country is white. That one statement effectively disengages a hearty proportion of people for whom you serve.
Why does this bother me so much? I have racism on my brain a lot lately; we have been discussing it a lot on the moms board I participate in, and I have had to, again, explain what it is like being Asian American. It is a tiring discourse, one that is emotionally draining and sometimes I question its efficacy or its worth. But I do it because it is important to me to speak up. I want Matthew to grow up challenging statements like the one Clinton gave and see it for the racist crap that it is. I want him to fight for change, and I want him to win.
So, Senator Clinton, this is why you will definitely NOT be getting my vote in November. I won’t be voting for McCain, but you, I am leaving behind. I thought long and hard at the beginning of this long election cycle about your candidacy and Senator Obama’s, and I have always thought that no matter what happens, I would be happy to vote for either of you. As of now, though, we’re done - through - kaput - finito. It’s over. It’s not me, it’s you.
Best of luck as Senator,
Casey
May 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I’m with you. I could say all kinds of negative things, but why bother?
May 8th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Word.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I think you might be reading into this too much - she doesn’t really suggest that the only hardworking Americans are white. I think she’s merely saying that his support amongst hard-working white Americans is declining, as opposed to his support amongst other parts of the population. The fact that this particular presidential nominee race focuses on the issue of race to the complete exclusion of Asian Americans is another issue entirely…
May 9th, 2008 at 5:17 am
@Tova - I think if she didn’t mean to suggest that only hard working Americans were white, perhaps it is incumbent upon her to clarify her message. I am most definitely not “reading too much into this” - I am only reading what I am given. And given other reactions I’ve seen, I am not the only one with this particular interpretation.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
@Tova - Obama support amongst “hard working white Americans” is not declining. And there is a very concerted base of support for Sen. Obama amongst Asian Americans with specific outreach to them. Visit reappropriate.com for info on that.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Also, reposting something Josh posted in LJ: