Why Edwards May Be The Best Choice For Women and Blacks

[avaistheone1]

The choice in 2008 may not be between a historic vote for a "black" or a woman candidate and a vote for another white guy, it may be between symbolic and concrete progress. Electing Obama or Clinton would be an amazing symbolic triumph, but putting a black or female face in the White House doesn't necessarily do anything for the concrete living conditions of black Americans and women.

Because these groups are disproportionately poor, the quickest way to make a real difference for them is to reduce class inequality. And only Edwards is making class inequality a central part of his platform. So, ironically, the best choice for blacks and women may be the white guy.

Of course, I'd like to see both symbolic and concrete progress, but it looks like we're going to have to choose. In that case, it's not obvious to me that symbolic progress wins out over a concrete improvement in the daily lives of the groups that Obama and Clinton represent. What do you think?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-wade/why-edwards-may-be-the-be_b_82771.html#postComment

My thoughts exactly.

[stravu9]

1. Go Johnny GO!

:dem:

[bigbrother05]

2. finally John is getting some good press

[UALRBSofL]

4. Food for thought

On the message of race and gender equality I accept this as being true. However, I have to give Clinton praise for the progress made in a positive direction while in office. A look at the US Bureau of income, looking at poverty levels and percentages. If you look at the poverty level of African Americans from 92 to 2000 it dropped 2500. If you look at the poverty level from 2000 to 2008 during the Bush administration it has increased 2500. This also transversely relates to earned income as well. In addition he was very progressive in hiring minorities to his administration more then any other president.

[avaistheone1]

5. I believe you are correct. All economic boats did rise during the Clinton presidency.

However, there was alot of unique things that happened then that probably can not be duplicated now -like the conditions of the stock market, and so many more of our jobs were still state-side then.

[stravu9]

12. Go John GO!!!

:dem:

[depakid]

3. "between symbolic and concrete progress...."

Substance won't win one many points in a media popularity and horserace contest-

[NOLALady]

6. Well,

I also think Edwards would be the best choice for men, whites, minorities and the shrinking middle class.

[Triana]

7. YES! I've written the same in the past few days but didn't write it as well.

...my sentiments exactly!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

8. mistaking minority status for liberalism.

Often times people think that a woman or a black is always liberal.

They said this when Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman Supreme Court justice. She was no flaming liberal.

If this was true, then there would be no Condi Rice, no Alberto Gonzales, no Colin Powell, no Elizabeth Dole in the Bush Admin or the Republican party. They are using these people who are sellouts to say "see how liberal we are? We have women and blacks in our party in high positions."
Which is bull.

I'd rather vote for a white man who is NOT bought off by corporate lobbyists, unlike Hillary or Obama. Hillary and Obama will do nothing for minorities or women -- they are bought off by corporate lobbyists, and are not really Democrats. They are corporatists.

Thank you for stating this. I agree with the OP.

[mnhtnbb]

9. I can only hope that voters wake up to this in time to make Edwards the nominee.

[avaistheone1]

10. Today is our day to get out there and do it for Edwards.

v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939847EC77F5F8D1CE16AAB16F8409A36DA40A659CEC4C8CB6

[avaistheone1]

11. Given all the racist and sexist jibes that are being thrown on DU today, let's MLK III remind us....

January 20, 2008
The Honorable John R. Edwards
410 Market Street
Suite 400
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Dear Senator Edwards:

It was good meeting with you yesterday and discussing my father's legacy. On the day when the nation will honor my father, I wanted to follow up with a personal note.

There has been, and will continue to be, a lot of back and forth in the political arena over my father's legacy. It is a commentary on the breadth and depth of his impact that so many people want to claim his legacy. I am concerned that we do not blur the lines and obscure the truth about what he stood for: speaking up for justice for those who have no voice.

I appreciate that on the major issues of health care, the environment, and the economy, you have framed the issues for what they are - a struggle for justice. And, you have almost single-handedly made poverty an issue in this election.

You know as well as anyone that the 37 million people living in poverty have no voice in our system. They don't have lobbyists in Washington and they don't get to go to lunch with members of Congress. Speaking up for them is not politically convenient. But, it is the right thing to do.
I am disturbed by how little attention the topic of economic justice has received during this campaign. I want to challenge all candidates to follow your lead, and speak up loudly and forcefully on the issue of economic justice in America.

From our conversation yesterday, I know this is personal for you. I know you know what it means to come from nothing. I know you know what it means to get the opportunities you need to build a better life. And, I know you know that injustice is alive and well in America, because millions of people will never get the same opportunities you had.

I believe that now, more than ever, we need a leader who wakes up every morning with the knowledge of that injustice in the forefront of their minds, and who knows that when we commit ourselves to a cause as a nation, we can make major strides in our own lifetimes. My father was not driven by an illusory vision of a perfect society. He was driven by the certain knowledge that when people of good faith and strong principles commit to making things better, we can change hearts, we can change minds, and we can change lives.

So, I urge you: keep going. Ignore the pundits, who think this is a horserace, not a fight for justice. My dad was a fighter. As a friend and a believer in my father's words that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, I say to you: keep going. Keep fighting. My father would be proud.

Sincerely,
Martin L. King, III


http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2008/1/22/143341/885

[loyalsister]

13. What about black women?

n\t