Black leaders are worried that a White candidate might get Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr seat

[Socio]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84277.html

Black leaders are growing increasingly worried that a white candidate might seize the seat of former Democratic Rep. Jesse Jackson in the upcoming Illinois special election.

With a host of black candidates announcing their intention to run, the concern is that they could split the African-American vote and provide a plurality to a white contender. The worries escalated this week after former Rep. Debbie Halvorson, a white Democrat and veteran of suburban Chicago politics, threw her hat into the ring.

Losing Jackson’s seat would be a blow to the black establishment. Chicago, long a center of black cultural and political power — it’s the home of the first black president, Barack Obama, and the first black member of Congress in modern congressional history, Oscar De Priest — would see its delegation in the Congressional Black Caucus diminish from three seats to two. And there’s Jackson background as the son of iconic civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Seems we have reached a point where racism against Whites is now politically correct, mainstream and a universally accepted practice.

The joy of a post-racial society...what a freaking joke!

 

[EagleKeeper]

If they had not elected such an idiot based on name recognition in the frist place; this would be a moot point.

Qualifications apparently do not count in that area.

 

[Geosurface]

I worry that the mindset is, once a governmental position goes to a minority of some kind, the notion is that from now on that same job can never go to a while male again or it is "a step backward" - note the fact that Obama is trying to replace Hilary with another female secretary of state.

Fact is, if a person were looking strictly at qualifications for the job in question, it would still end up being a white male almost every single time. Maybe that would be boring, but when competence, experience, qualifications are the foremost consideration (as they should always be) you will end up with white males most of the time.

Why? Because there are simply more white males, still, in these political and diplomatic and military realms. A lot more. Especially at the upper echelons.

This doesn't mean there aren't any minority/women who are legitimately very well qualified for these jobs, there are. But there aren't very many. And unfortunately, a lot of those who have made it to that realm did so through affirmative action which is yet another reason to go with a while male. Why risk hiring someone for a crucially important position if you know that any consideration other than raw ability has played any sort of part in them getting to where they are already?

This is why it will come across as stunt casting for quite a while to come. It's still at a point where, if someone nominates or elects a non-white male in these positions of power, you are forced to view it as a gimmick. You are forced to assume that they are going out of their way to select a minority/woman in order to appeal to certain demographics or check off certain boxes or score feel good points.

And, you'd be right almost every time.

 

[HomerJS]

Exerpts are authors opinion/assertion. I would like to see some actual quotes that led to article.

Upd: If quotes are accurate I get what some of them are saying. They are afraid of losing someone they perceive can better represent blacks in tha area. They are not against Debbie Halvorson because she is white.

Maybe a better tactic would be all the candidates need to step up their game. The election of the President should have tought them something. Depending only on people of a candidates race is a long term loser.

IMHO

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I worry that the mindset is, once a governmental position goes to a minority of some kind, the notion is that from now on that same job can never go to a while male again or it is "a step backward" - note the fact that Obama is trying to replace Hilary with another female secretary of state.

I think this is the bigger issue. Obviously, the black leaders are going to want another black leader in a seat that was once held by one of their black friends, but the bigger issue here is why is it that it seems like qualifications are less important than race. And you see this a lot of places, this just happens to be the most covered one.

I voted for Obama, I am white, and this is a discouraging trend I have noticed. I have also been discriminated against and been a victim of a hate crime because I am white. I do find it severely disturbing that it is OK for blacks to do this stuff to us but if we say the N word it is a capitol offense. I feel like there is a trend where there are a lot of people trying to take advantage of the progressive views of younger white people and run with them.

I understand that I will never really understand what it is like to be black, but I hope they understand that it is really bad for them when we are afraid to send our kids to a school where there are a large number of their kids. People can jump on this post as racist all they want, but the simple fact is that the majority of whites in this country under 40 no longer believe black people are inferior or mentally disturbed/challenged like so many used to...even down here in the South. It is up to the black community, specifically the parents, to make sure their kids understand that while white people may have done some messed up shit to them a hundred plus years ago, but the people who are alive today have nothing to do with that, and those ancient white people shit on everyone including each other...not just blacks. heh

 

[Mursilis]

Seems we have reached a point where racism against Whites is now politically correct, mainstream and a universally accepted practice.

The joy of a post-racial society...what a freaking joke!

According to the instructor at the mandatory diversity training session my very large federal agency required all of us to attend, our agency's various programs to "target" underrepresented minorities groups in hiring have worked so well, white males now qualify as an underrepresented group at our agency!

 

[pcgeek11]

Exerpts are authors opinion/assertion. I would like to see some actual quotes that led to article.

Upd: If quotes are accurate I get what some of them are saying. They are afraid of losing someone they perceive can better represent blacks in tha area. They are not against Debbie Halvorson because she is white.

Maybe a better tactic would be all the candidates need to step up their game. The election of the President should have tought them something. Depending only on people of a candidates race is a long term loser.

IMHO

Color has nothing to do with representation. It is racism. If I said I felt like "who ever" would represent me better because he is white... What would you say then?

 

[waggy]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84277.html





Seems we have reached a point where racism against Whites is now politically correct, mainstream and a universally accepted practice.

The joy of a post-racial society...what a freaking joke!

yeap. many places (Anandtech inlcuded) its ok to be racist against whites. call them racist names, or whatever its ok. the news, forums, TV and movies all do it.

to many are caught up in the idea of "white guilt" that they take it to a extreme.

Color has nothing to do with representation. It is racism. If I said I felt like "who ever" would represent me better because he is white... What would you say then?

i agree. choose whoever is the best for the job. color should never play into it.

 

[nehalem256]

I worry that the mindset is, once a governmental position goes to a minority of some kind, the notion is that from now on that same job can never go to a while male again or it is "a step backward" - note the fact that Obama is trying to replace Hilary with another female secretary of state.

Fact is, if a person were looking strictly at qualifications for the job in question, it would still end up being a white male almost every single time. Maybe that would be boring, but when competence, experience, qualifications are the foremost consideration (as they should always be) you will end up with white males most of the time.

Why? Because there are simply more white males, still, in these political and diplomatic and military realms. A lot more. Especially at the upper echelons.

This doesn't mean there aren't any minority/women who are legitimately very well qualified for these jobs, there are. But there aren't very many. And unfortunately, a lot of those who have made it to that realm did so through affirmative action which is yet another reason to go with a while male. Why risk hiring someone for a crucially important position if you know that any consideration other than raw ability has played any sort of part in them getting to where they are already?

This is why it will come across as stunt casting for quite a while to come. It's still at a point where, if someone nominates or elects a non-white male in these positions of power, you are forced to view it as a gimmick. You are forced to assume that they are going out of their way to select a minority/woman in order to appeal to certain demographics or check off certain boxes or score feel good points.

And, you'd be right almost every time.

:thumbsup:

 

[Incorruptible]

But I thought only whites were racist, These people are pathetic

 

[HomerJS]

Color has nothing to do with representation. It is racism. If I said I felt like "who ever" would represent me better because he is white... What would you say then?

We already have that.

Like my response said I would like all sides to get over that. I would not assume a representative would be better just because he/she was black or white.

I don't fault minorities for wanting someone like them for representation since they have done without for so long.

It's easy for you to vent because white males have dominated congresss for so long.

BTW - Republicans say they want diversity but here is the latest lineup of committee chair"men"

 

[feralkid]

But I thought only whites were racist, These people are pathetic

Says the forum's chief bigot.

 

[nehalem256]

BTW - Republicans say they want diversity but here is the latest lineup of committee chair"men"

So are you suggesting Republicans are overlooking qualified non-white men in their ranks for committee chairmen? Or do you think they should appoint less qualified non-white men as committee chairmen simply because of their non-white man status?

 

[Charles Kozierok]

I don't fault minorities for wanting someone like them for representation since they have done without for so long.

Neither do I, but I draw the line at this sort of overt racism. It's wrong.

 

[SilthDraeth]

I worry that the mindset is, once a governmental position goes to a minority of some kind, the notion is that from now on that same job can never go to a while male again or it is "a step backward" - note the fact that Obama is trying to replace Hilary with another female secretary of state.

Fact is, if a person were looking strictly at qualifications for the job in question, it would still end up being a white male almost every single time. Maybe that would be boring, but when competence, experience, qualifications are the foremost consideration (as they should always be) you will end up with white males most of the time.

Why? Because there are simply more white males, still, in these political and diplomatic and military realms. A lot more. Especially at the upper echelons.

This doesn't mean there aren't any minority/women who are legitimately very well qualified for these jobs, there are. But there aren't very many. And unfortunately, a lot of those who have made it to that realm did so through affirmative action which is yet another reason to go with a while male. Why risk hiring someone for a crucially important position if you know that any consideration other than raw ability has played any sort of part in them getting to where they are already?

This is why it will come across as stunt casting for quite a while to come. It's still at a point where, if someone nominates or elects a non-white male in these positions of power, you are forced to view it as a gimmick. You are forced to assume that they are going out of their way to select a minority/woman in order to appeal to certain demographics or check off certain boxes or score feel good points.

And, you'd be right almost every time.

You might have a few semi valid points, where it not for the fact that most political seats are do to familiar connections, and not through "raw ability" as you state.

Not saying I disagree with your initial point, just your point about affirmative action vs raw ability.

 

[Greenman]

Why is it that only blacks have leaders? I've never seen a headline quoting Jewish leaders, or white leaders. Are blacks just naturally more cohesive than other races?

 

[GoPackGo]

So is the Dream dead and was it killed by black people?

 

[nehalem256]

Why is it that only blacks have leaders? I've never seen a headline quoting Jewish leaders, or white leaders. Are blacks just naturally more cohesive than other races?

If a group of white leaders spoke about advancing the power and causes of white people they would be deemed racist.

 

[Darwin333]

We already have that.

Like my response said I would like all sides to get over that. I would not assume a representative would be better just because he/she was black or white.

I don't fault minorities for wanting someone like them for representation since they have done without for so long.

It's easy for you to vent because white males have dominated congresss for so long.

BTW - Republicans say they want diversity but here is the latest lineup of committee chair"men"

When speaking about representation, why would it matter how long you have done without it?

Is it ok for whites to "want someone like them (READ: a white person) for representation" in general? If not, what about whites in New Orleans who haven't had "someone like them" representing them in a long time, it must be ok for them to openly state that they want a white candidate right?

Hell, I find the entire phrase "someone like them" when referring to race offensive as should just about any other objective non-racist person.

 

[Jaskalas]

If a group of white leaders spoke about advancing the power and causes of white people they would be deemed racist.

They call that the KKK.

 

[bignateyk]

I voted for Obama, but I hope this idiot loses his seat. Don't really care to whom he loses it.

 

[pauldun170]

When latinos\spanish people publicly state that they feel they are under represented in government and would prefer more latinos in government position...
White guys: Damn illegal mexicans are taking over the country!!!

When Asians publicly state that they feel they are under represented in government and would prefer more Asians in government position...
White guys: (flips channel...watches football)

When blacks publicly state that they feel they are under represented in government and would prefer more blacks in government position...
White guys: REVERSE RACISM!!! They are so racists!! WE ARE THE OPPRESSED ONES!!!

When women publicly state that they feel they are under represented in government and would prefer more women in government position...
White guys: (looks at wife\girl...mutters something about fixing the sink)

 

[Retro Rob]

You might have a few semi valid points, where it not for the fact that most political seats are do to familiar connections, and not through "raw ability" as you state.
.

I think he does too.

I also agree that there aren't enough blacks that are in, let alone qualified. This is not like the former NFL or the "good ol' boys" league where the Rooney Rule kept minority candidates from being deliberately overlooked regardless the qualifications. That simply stunk of rascim.

This would not be the same, IMO.

 

[Anarchist420]

Black people will be the only people left in this country one day. I'm black and I hate it.

 

[Retro Rob]

Color has nothing to do with representation. It is racism. If I said I felt like "who ever" would represent me better because he is white... What would you say then?

Representation isn't (or shouldn't be) based on race, but values -- as in, does this person value what's important to me.

I can tell you, I am black,.. and if I was a voting man, I would NOT vote for Obama. What he values aren't what I do as an individual.