The race card

The race card.  We all have expected it to be played in the New Orleans elections.  The problem is trying to figure out if certain statements and actions by candidates and their campaigns are meant to obtain a racial political advantage versus if they are meant for a totally different purpose—such as legitimately trying to bring the races together.    Sometimes a statement might be made by mistake and no racial motivation is intended.  We have begun to see a number of statements thrown out during this campaign and race-card charges being made that look and sound like the real thing, but sometimes, perhaps, just maybe they are not. 

Hopefully we will get some clearer discussion regarding this issue on Wednesday when the Urban League holds a debate on race. 

No question, in a city like New Orleans, it is virtually impossible for race not to be discussed. The key question is, however, when are the comments fair discussion versus the dealing of the race card?.  Attempting to ascertain the real motivations of the speaker is sometimes more difficult than trying to find the bottom of a bowl of gumbo.

Below are some examples of public statements by the candidates that should be viewed by a prism of whether the race card is being dealt or whether the statements are based upon the desire to make New Orleans a better place for everyone or even if the statements are made without considering the sensitivities the races involved, but are not made for a political advantage.  So, perhaps, for each of the candidate’s statements, we should ask--what is the purpose of the message?  Who is the intended audience?  What is actually being said?

In engaging in this scrutiny, perhaps one of the more revealing general statements concerning any comment or action from a candidate or a campaign comes from James Perry.  According to WDSU, Perry recently said, "What happens is in the course of a campaign, you sit down and strategize about every meeting and comments are purposefully placed".

So, what does “race card” mean?  In short, I define it as a racial statement made primarily for a political or other advantage. 

Here is another definition on Wikipedia--“Playing the race card is an idiomatic phrase that refers to the act of bringing the issue of race or racism into a debate, perhaps to obfuscate the matter.^{[citation needed]} Playing the race card is amplified in socio-political systems where individuals know they may be formally awarded special access to rights and resources, based upon their membership of a racial group.

The question of the race card being played really exploded last week after Ed Murray dropped out of the election last weekend, it appeared that some votes would be up for grabs since Murray was considered to be the leading African American candidate.   News media then spoke the obvious.  Given the nature of the polls at that time, there could be the possibility of two whites being in a runoff or a white candidate taking the election this February without a runoff.

Here are some statements made recently that should be debated as to whether they were “race card” statements or not: 

Example 

After Murray’s departure, James Perry, in email mentioned what he believes to be the disparity between the races but also talked about his being the candidate who could bridge the gap. 

Among the comments Perry made were:

“Let's be honest. Racial inequality still exists in New Orleans. Although laws have changed, schools and neighborhoods are still shockingly racially segregated. Racial segregation has a tremendous impact on student achievement, home values, transportation access, health outcomes, and concentration of poverty. We can only be a great city when we are a fair city.

Let's be honest. Far too many politicians have used race as a wedge issue to divide our city. Far too many private business interests have willingly profited from this political abuse.

Let's be honest. Our often racially separate worlds can breed prejudice, distrust, and misunderstanding. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina New Orleans' politics have been deeply racially divided. Far too many votes of the city council have split along racial lines and race has been used as a wedge too many times. Rather than finding common ground our leaders have sought to divide us. ….

Let's be honest. There is no way for one group to succeed, while another group fails. We must all come up together. The only way to make progress is by acknowledging the problems, finding common ground, refusing to politicize our differences, and telling the truth about where we are and we are going.

Racial injustice and racialized politics too often stand in the way of doing what is best for the whole community. We need leadership that will stand for fairness for all people. We need leadership that refuses to misuse racial antagonisms for personal gain. We need leadership that will put progress over politics.” 

Example:

On Wednesday, New Orleans Troy Henry took the stage.  He said the media was anointing a winner or runoff winners and not creating a level playing field.   Among other statements, he said:

"That's undermining the process, and it's not fair to the African-American candidates," he said. "All we're asking for is fairness and equal consideration, period. I think it's disingenuous and what we don't want is African-American voters thinking that this is a pre-determined race. Just treat us equal. That's all we want.

"What we don't want to do is begin to put in the minds of all voters that this is a fait accompli, that this is not a real race, that this is an anointment. That's not fair to any of the candidates. And the fact that some of the reports have categorized this in terms of race, it's disingenuous to all of the African-American candidates. It's not fair."

Example:

The following day, Mayor Nagin took to black radio and said:

"You have Troy, God bless his heart, trying to come out yesterday and chastise the media. Now, I hope he's ready for it. For every action, there is a reaction.” The Mayor continued to say, “He’s on point...He’s absolutely on point...They've beaten me up just about everyday since I came out and said everybody should return to the city. And don't talk about the Chocolate City speech. Since all of that stuff has gone down, I have been relentlessly attacked. So for me, the next four months, I'm looking forward to 2010. To me, it's time to speak up again, that's my motto." “I don't know James. He looks like an intelligent brother. I applaud him for running, but I don't think he understands what he's into. I really don't.” “It seems like with Ed getting out people are in disarray and don't know where to turn, said Nagin. “I love Ed Murray. He's a great guy; he's one of the most effective legislators that we have. The brother can get some stuff done in Baton Rouge. But to run for mayor was kinda out his comfort zone. The brother is almost kind of standoffish.” “This race is far from over. I don’t believe any of these frickin’ polls... I seen this crap before. Don't be hoodwinked, don't be fooled and think that this thing is over, because it's not. And I use me as an example. Last time I ran for re-election, everybody counted me out but you, the people, you have the power. You have the numbers, you have the power, if you show up and vote.”

Example 

Perry responded (in pertinent part) to Nagin and said "Less than twelve hours after Troy Henry falsely invoked my name in his racially charged political stunt, Mayor Ray Nagin went on WBOK to attack me for not supporting Henry in his attempt to exploit the fears of black voters," said Perry.

Example 

On Friday, John Georges to the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee and said regarding the new Louisiana State University Hospital in Mid-City:

"I went over the plans today," Georges told the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee Forum on Friday. "They want to build a plantation right in the middle of our city -- green space, seven blocks of parking lots -- I'm smart enough. I know what I'm talking about."  

On Monday, Georges told me that he was only referring to the size of the complex when referring to the word “plantation”.   

In a city such as New Orleans, where race often plays an important role in elections, determining if and when the race card is played might be a difficult game.  The answer just might be in the minds of the card’s holder. 

Troy Henry

On Friday, Troy Henry won the endorsement of the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee which is a major political win for that candidate and a big setback for the other candidates.   In my view, the one candidate who suffers the most from the endorsement is Mitch Landrieu.  Without doubt, the Landrieu name has been anonymous with Democratic Party.  No other candidate in the race has such a relationship to the Democratic party as does Mitch Landrieu.  While Landrieu will get his share of endorsements as he did last week with the Alliance For Good Government, the vote for Henry is very symbolic, perhaps more so than any other mayoral endorsement. 

Jim Letten and John Georges

Yesterday, it was publically revealed that John Georges told the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee that he voted for Barack Obama for President so a that a Democrat could be the next US Attorney.  

In making his pitch to that Committee, Georges said, “Mitch Landrieu is a leader but, you know, I tell ya, we still have a Republican as a U.S. attorney," he said. "I voted for Barack Obama so we'd have a new U.S. attorney. It's not a racial thing, it's a Democratic thing. Now you want someone to fight for the Democratic Party? I'm the newest member; I can fight for you."

Today, his campaign issued this statement:  "I believe that U.S. Attorney Jim Letten is doing an outstanding job.  Friday night at the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee, I was speaking about Democratic politics.  The mayor has no control over the appointment of a U.S. Attorney.  I commend Jim Letten for a job well done in his fight against corruption.  As mayor I will work closely with Jim Letten and all other components of the criminal justice system to weed out corruption."

Harry Reid

This weekend, the Harry Reid “light-skinned” “Negro” quotes hit the airwaves.   There have been stated “outrage” by a number of people.   There have been calls for democrats to take action in some way against Reid such as calling for his resignation.  There has been anger by members of the Democratic Black Caucus and even Rev. Al Sharpton.  Reid has apologized and Barack Obama and the Democratic icons have accepted the apology.

I personally believe that Reid should be strongly condemned by his statements.  Democrats should break ranks and express their total outrage.  They should also engage in some form of specific action that shows that those type of statements are not tolerated in our society and certainly not from a man who heads the US Senate.  An apology is not enough.

Unquestionably the republicans are using the incident for their own political gain.  In fact, I believe that all too often, both republicans and democrats are fast to forgive individuals who have engaged in outrageous political and social behaviors but when push comes to shove, they forgive because of politics. 

Too often, both Democrats and Republicans rally around their own and are more afraid of the political fallout from making a powerful figure look bad than they are of condemning the actions in no uncertain terms, even removing the political figure from office.

When a behavior reaches the outrageous, it should be condemned by everyone—Republicans, Democrats, independents, no-party’s.  .

Hopefully, as Americans and as Louisianians, we will put away our party affiliations and take a stand when powerful individuals go way astray and embarrass us. 

Although our politics might differ on many occasions, in reality, often we have shared values.   Unfortunately, all too often, winning the next election or maintaining Congressional majority or protecting a high elected official for partisan reasons primes over principle.  Both parties are culpable.  Until our political leaders and political parties start speaking up when a member of their pack has engaged in repugnant behaviors, our nation’s moral compass will be way off course.