Sen. Kamala Harris responds to pointed question on race in America

[RandySF]

Washington (CNN)Sen. Kamala Harris said Thursday that Americans have not had "honest discussions about race" and that "it is in our collective best interest" to have those conversations in response to a question about "racial divides" in the United States.

Speaking at a campaign event in Hemingway, South Carolina, the Democratic presidential candidate was asked a pointed question about race in America by Meg Oliver, a voter who identified herself as being raised as "a daughter of the south" and said she has personal connections to people with racist views -- including her father who she believes "was most likely in the KKK."

"I am embarrassed at what I see with a lot of the southerners and a lot of the members of our Congress," Oliver said. "I'm wondering what you can do... to heal the racial divides that (President) Donald Trump has emboldened and what we as white people who don't believe in that and don't support that -- what can we do to help offset the obvious flashpoints of racial divide in this country."

"For too long, frankly in our country, for too long we have not had these honest discussions about race. We've just not. You can look at textbooks in public schools that have erased so much of the history, the awful shameful history on race in this country," said Harris, who identifies as black.

She cited the recent passage of an anti-lynching bill in the Senate that she co-authored and a speech she gave about the legislation as an example of how she is contributing to the conversations about race that Oliver asked about.

Harris went on to say that in order to move the "uncomfortable" conversation about race forward, "we have to speak truth to what happened."



https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/09/politics/kamala-harris-racism-south-carolina/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_content=2019-03-09T18%3A00%3A04&utm_source=twCNNp&utm_term=image

[marylandblue]

1. That's a good answer, but what does it mean in practical terms?

How do we have a conversation nobody wants to have?

[Garrett78]

2. Those with a platform and a strong understanding can force the issue.

Studies make clear that the interests of women and POC are best represented by women and POC in public office (exceptions exist, of course). More women and POC in office helps move the arc toward justice.

[marylandblue]

4. I think we need more than that.

Too many people are unaware of the history and realities of racism in this country and are unwilling to look at it.

[Garrett78]

5. We absolutely need to do much more educating. And for more people to get involved...

...with organizations that are focused on anti-racism and anti-sexism. I know many such organizations exist, as I have been and am currently involved in such organizations.

But it's also true that POC and women in public office tend to do more to prompt conversations. There's always a backlash, but every time we force a backlash we ultimately bend that arc just a little bit more, even if it can seem - during the backlash - like we're without hope.

[JI7]

7. I think it was a white person that asked the question. I think more white people being open

like this helps. especially within their own community to other white people.

[Gothmog]

3. I hope that there is video of this incident

Link to tweet

[Cha]

6. KR!

[betsuni]

8. K&R

[crazytown]

9. K&R