African American
Related: About this forumEssence On-line Covers Donna Edwards' Campaign
http://www.essence.com/2016/01/21/maryland-rep-donna-edwards-looks-towards-senate"Donna Edwards is the only candidate with the experience that shows she knows first-hand about the challenges women face," Schriock continues. "Whether it's raising her son as a single mom working a minimum wage job. leading the way for victims of domestic violence, or protecting women's access to healthcare as someone who knows what its like to spend years paying off bills from one uninsured trip to the emergency room, Donna has spent her entire career standing up for women. And that's a perspective that's desperately needed in the U.S. Senate."
Indeed, when the conversation turns to issues that affect African-American communities, Edwards doesn't shy away from tough topics such as police brutality.
She supports the Black Lives Matter' movement and has special praise for the African-American women who are at the forefront of contemporary civil rights efforts.
She's not immune to what's happening, in these times of social upheaval and change.
"I'm the mother of a young Black male who's been stopped by police," Edwards says, referring to her son, Jared, 27. "It's happened to my fiancé and other men in my family, too. Over the Christmas holiday, a relative was driving and the police stopped him and asked if he owned the car." Her voice lowers and she shakes her head incredulously.
"There are good officers, but there must be a culture change within law enforcement," the Congresswoman asserts. "And we need resources, training, and policy change. That doesn't happen overnight."
Number23
(24,544 posts)I am pulling for her and I see that there is a related link that says Kamala Harris is planning on running for the Senate as well. This is great.
lovemydog
(11,833 posts)"The political neophyte pulled off an upset in the primary, and later won the general election. Now in her fifth term representing Maryland's Fourth District in the House of Representatives, the Democrat has set her sights on the Senate. Edwards wants to succeed the legendary Senator Barbara Mikulski, who plans to retire this year.
"There hasn't been a Black woman in the Senate since Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois," she says of the 100-member chamber, which currently has two African-American men. (Braun served one term from 1993 to 1999, but lost a subsequent reelection bid.) With California Attorney General Kamala Harris also seeking an open senatorial seat, "There is an opportunity for Black women to make history on the East and West coasts," says Edwards."