Friday, September 30, 2011
Undertones
One of the most cited partisan reasons for opposing DC statehood is the fact that the District would undoubtedly elect two Democrats into the Senate and another Democrat into the House. However, is there also racial undertones at work? This opinion piece suggests the role race might play in fueling the fight against DC statehood.
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2 comments:
I have a really difficult time buying this argument, since the only proof to suggest its a race issue is a paragraph of quotes from Jesse Jackson and Democratic Senators.
To be honest its kind of insulting that my party is constantly vilified by the left as racist when race has nothing to do with it.
I'm still trying to make up my mind about the DC issue, but bringing up bogus arguments like this only polarize people, and cloud the real issue at hand.
The quotes from democratic black politicians isn't the only proof. The article also mentions the academic work of Ronald Walters, professor at Howard University who wrote extensively on race in American politics and published an entire book focusing on the role race might play in the fight for DC statehood.
Unfortunately, I can't provide a link to a copy of the book online, but If you're looking for an article a bit more academically valid, check out this paper:
http://www.dcvote.org/trellis/research/schaffer_seat_of_democracy.pdf
If after reading this racism is still deemed to be a bogus argument, by all means explain the alternative reason for continuing to disenfranchise 600,000 people.
And also this charge of racism preventing statehood isn't leveled solely at Republicans. They are indeed cited as the primary challenge but as the article mentions, the last vote regarding statehood was defeated in the Senate with a vote of 97-2. It seems all might have a share in the guilt
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