See:
‘A Slap in the Face’: Pick of White Man to Lead Council Draws Fire
by Jeffery C. Mays And J. David Goodman
The New York Times
December 22, 2017
“For months, black political leaders watched the bare-knuckled, back-room race to lead the New York City Council with a mix of hope and trepidation. Five of the eight candidates were black or Hispanic — offering the prospect of a first black speaker — but two of the most prominent front-runners were white men.
“In the end, one of those white men, Councilman Corey Johnson of Manhattan, emerged victorious. Now black leaders are railing against a process that produced another white face atop the government of a majority-minority city that already has white men in the roles of mayor, comptroller, three of five district attorney’s offices and at the heads of various city agencies.”
… ‘This is a slap in the face,’ said Rev. Jacques Andre DeGraff, associate pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem. ‘People feel offended.’ ”
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“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
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my thoughts:
How far we have come since the idealism of those days. Or, should I say, how sad that the political dialogue when it comes to race has reached such depths.
Why should be being white be an impediment to being a viable candidate?
“[B]lack leaders are railing against a process that produced another white face atop the government of a majority-minority city. …,” the article states. What if I stated the opinion that there should be more whites in leadership positions for some reason or other? Think I wouldn’t be labeled a white supremacist?
And, what do “white” and “black” mean anyway? See my previous post
“this isn’t racism?”
Has the possibility that they themselves might be engaging in reverse racism ever occurred to the black leaders quoted in this article. Has the mere THOUGHT ever crossed their minds, troubled them, or caused them to do some self-examination?
— Roger W. Smith
December 23, 2017; reposted December 26
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addendum:
a comment by my friend Ella Rutledge (posted on Facebook):
“I differ with you on this, Roger. How can Dr. King’s dream come true if positive action is not taken, sacrifices made? Reverse racism? So what? At least white guys then get to know what racism feels like.”
I don’t believe there is any such thing as reverse racism. Racism is racism. Anybody can be racist or xenophobic or intolerant of others.
Excellent point, Luanne. Well put. You’re right. “Reverse racism” is one of those code words invented to stake out a position without sufficient analysis/explanation. The dictionary definition of code word is “a euphemistic or politically acceptable catchword or phrase used instead of a blunter or less acceptable term.” Example: The official report said the diplomats had a “frank and serious discussion” (instead of an argument). I’m glad you pointed this out. What I should have said is “racism.”
Code words are used when writers like me get lazy.