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Khephra Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:36 PM
Original message
Civil Rights Group Seeks Kerry Apology
WASHINGTON -- The head of a civil rights and legal services advocacy group wants Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry to apologize for saying he wouldn't be upset if he could be known as the second black president.

"John Kerry is not a black man -- he is a privileged white man who has no idea what it is in this country to be a poor white in this country, let alone a black man," said Paula Diane Harris, founder of the Andrew Young National Center for Social Change.

Last week, Kerry told the American Urban Radio Network: "President Clinton was often known as the first black president. I wouldn't be upset if I could earn the right to be the second."

Kerry's spokesman Chad Clanton said: "This was intended as a light-natured remark about President Clinton's strong legacy with African Americans It is a legacy that John Kerry would like to build upon if elected president. John Kerry has a record of fighting for civil rights and as president he will continue this fight."

more.............

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-kerry-blacks,0,1190414.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines
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jenk Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:37 PM
Response to Original message
1. bah, they can go shove it
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kalian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #1
14. Umm...wrong answer....
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Demonaut Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 02:26 AM
Response to Reply #14
39. sometimes even Dems say stupid things
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Ernesto Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:39 PM
Response to Original message
2. meaningles news
Edited on Mon Mar-08-04 09:40 PM by Ernesto
a blank
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joeunderdog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #2
10. Huh? Did they think he meant it literally? n/t
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Dr Fate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:40 PM
Response to Original message
3. Perhaps a better talking point then?
But an apology? I see no need.

Kerry's future remarks on this could probably be reworded, but his intentions are not racist that I can see...
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kenth Donating Member (27 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:28 PM
Response to Reply #3
29. He may not have intended it....
but just think how it must feel to have a rich white guy tell you that you, an actual black person, aren't good enough to be the second black president, let alone the first. The outrage from the comparison to gay marriage, etc. comes from the history of abuse, segregation and outright murder because of the color of their skin. There are not any signs above water fountains that say 'Heterosexuals Only'. It diminishes what they went through.
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Rex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 03:06 AM
Response to Reply #29
42. Where does he say an actual black person ain't good enough
to be the second black president? I think you're putting words into his mouth.

It was a stupid thing to say, but he didn't say what you just did.
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BR_Parkway Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 03:32 AM
Response to Reply #29
43. On the whole gay rights issue
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 03:35 AM by BR_Parkway
we are still discriminated not only on having our marriages recognized by the government. It is still legal in most place to fire me because I am gay, to refuse to rent or sell property because of this, to refuse me service in a restaurant or other businesses. There are many examples of people being harrassed and killed for who they love vs the color of their skin.

And no, technically I can't recall any water fountains that had posted signs telling me I can't drink there, but I do know that "my people" were marched into death camps by the Nazis and they have been the subject of a form of discrimination that is completely unique - even to the point of being rejected by their own families, how many blacks can say their own flesh and blood disowned them for the color of their skin? I also don't recall any elected official, sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution that I live under asking the country to come together to confirm that I am some 2nd class deviate, not only to be refused certain legal protections and classifications because their religion doesn't agree with my life, but to codify that bigotry into the foundational documents for every law in this land. And that would take away rights that I already have.

Bigotry is wrong, no matter why a certain group is being discriminated against. The whole "my group's discrimination has been worse than your groups, how dare you compare" arguement is shallow, selfish and does nothing to ensure equal treatment for all. If that divisiveness is allowed to fester and grow, it just makes it easier for the bullies to come after your group once they finish with mine.

Edit: Welcome to DU!
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Dr Fate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 09:12 PM
Response to Reply #29
69. Except that it was clearly a reference to Clinton...
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 09:14 PM by Dr Fate
...who was also a white dude. He was given that nick-name by Black commentators, not by racists.

Kerry is no racist , but he should change the talking point just so no one sees it that way.
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PartyPooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:42 PM
Response to Original message
4. I don't recall Clinton being referred to as "the first black president"
But, if he was...so, be it. IMO, looks like Kerry was taken out of context here.

BTW, I would have thought LBJ was the "first black president" because of his civil rights legislation.

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enough Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:55 PM
Response to Reply #4
16. Toni Morison used that expression, as did others.
I don't know who made it up, and I never understood exactly what was meant by it,
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Mike Daniels Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 09:13 AM
Response to Reply #16
46. If I recall correctly, I think she said it was because of his background
He liked jazz, ate a lot of fast food, grew up poor, single mother househole, etc....In effect, he shared so many characteristics that black people have.

Could be wrong, but I think that's within the ballpark.

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rocketdem Donating Member (496 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:27 PM
Original message
my black friends have referred to Clinton...

...as the first black president, but I obviously cannot say that this is a universal sentiment.

My one friend said that for her it wasn't so much a perticular policy or set of policies as a feeling of genuine connection. Because I'm not black, I defer to her judgment.

I did once see Chris Rock do a little bit on this issue in an extremely non-complementary way. It was certainly funny, but if the deliverer was not black himself, then it would have been considered atrocious.

Context is everything. Take things like this out of context, either the "first black president" thing or Chris Rock's comedy and it sounds virtually medieval.
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Tennessee_tarheel Donating Member (59 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 12:08 AM
Response to Original message
35. context is everything ... and a double standard
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 12:10 AM by Tennessee_tarheel
as Kerry found out. The "official" black authorities need to bestow their blessings upon you for you to say & do certain things. Clinton got "in" because of a certain (probably genuine) empathy & social ease with blacks. Kerry hasn't "earned" that phony right yet.

It is similar to the way that blacks use the "N" word much more than anyone else. But are they taken to task? Only by a 5th grade teacher I know who told one of her students that her parents didn't work for, and many people hurt for, and even a few die for the right for him to use that racist derogatory word.

Many years ago I was in a band with all blacks. I felt like one of them and even used the "N" word among them as they used it when suddenly one night I nearly got my rear end whupped and not "backed up" by my bruthas' for using that word.

I quit giving a crap about all that then and there.

It is an ugly racist word and whenever I hear it I cringe. Unfortunately it is usually from a person of color. What the hell are you sayin'?
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noiretextatique Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 01:15 PM
Response to Reply #35
53. it was a stupid and insensitive remark, and he should apologize
end of story. what if BUSH had said it...would you be doing your angry white man bit for him?
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Tennessee_tarheel Donating Member (59 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 10:23 PM
Response to Reply #53
71. Well ...
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 10:28 PM by Tennessee_tarheel
1- I can't imagine him (or Kerry until he did) saying that and yes of course I would say its ridiculous either way - one to say it and two to have the contextual baggage that makes it OK for some not OK for others.

2- I am not an angry white man

3 - I don't do "bits"

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tobius Donating Member (947 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 02:48 AM
Response to Reply #4
40. taken out of context? What is the correct context?
omg, roflmao!
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Tennessee_tarheel Donating Member (59 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 10:32 PM
Response to Reply #40
74. there isn't a 'correct context" only
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 10:34 PM by Tennessee_tarheel
a acceptable by the group and not acceptable by the group context. Clinton had a rapport & ease (perhaps being Southern helps) with blacks, or at least the so called leadership wheras kerry does not have that same acceptance "into the club".

it is a silly double standard and yet one that is very human - it is evident in so many social contexts and stiuations. you just hope for a little more seriousness in a prez race than jr. high peer group silliness.
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waldenx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:43 PM
Response to Original message
5. good
People need to hold Kerry accountable for his blatent racist pandering.
Why didn't Kerry say he would like to be the first gay President?
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PartyPooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:46 PM
Response to Reply #5
8. Because EVERYONE knows it would have been Howard Dean!
;-)
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Cocoa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:46 PM
Response to Reply #5
9. James Buchanan was gay
or so I've heard.
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PartyPooper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:49 PM
Response to Reply #9
11. So was Van Buren.
Or, so I've heard.
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Dr Fate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:51 PM
Response to Reply #11
13. Abraham "Log Cabin" Lincoln?
Or so I've heard...
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Dr Fate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:50 PM
Response to Reply #5
12. Because he was on a Black show?
This makes him a racist & homophobe? Are you kidding or is this just over-the-top nonsense????

And you say he -GASP!!!!- promises to do things for constituencies!!??

How racist of him.
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Media_Lies_Daily Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:20 PM
Response to Reply #5
25. Uh....because he's not gay?...
"Blatent racist pandering"? Oh, please spare me.
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onehandle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:45 PM
Response to Original message
6. Well, she got her name in the news. nt
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Cocoa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:45 PM
Response to Original message
7. he should apologize
I don't really understand the objection to what he said, but who cares, what harm could apologizing do?


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Dr Fate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:55 PM
Response to Reply #7
15. Cocoa, Always the diplomat...
He could just say "I should have said that another way, but my commitment to civl rights is unwavering..."

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tobius Donating Member (947 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 02:57 AM
Response to Reply #7
41. he is aiming to be the second black president...........he's white.
still don't understand the objection?

-oh, forget it , we know you understand. The attempt to feign ignorance was hilarious!
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Dr Fate Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 09:18 PM
Response to Reply #41
70. Except that it was a reference to Clinton...
...who was given that name by non-racist balck commentators.

Perhaps it was unwise for them to set a precedent of refering to DEMS as "Black Presidents?"

Is that the main point?

Kerry could just say: "I want to have the same connection with minority voters that Clinton seemed to have"...and then we could avoid these racism accusations.

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many a good man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:58 PM
Response to Original message
17. John Kerry is a white man???
Boy, I need a new TV.
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Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 09:59 PM
Response to Original message
18. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
Cocoa Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:06 PM
Response to Reply #18
19. is this the stupid thing about Byrd?
http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/03/030804kerryGays.htm

<snip>

He then compared the "crucifixion of Matthew Shepard," the Wyoming 21-year-old gay man who was beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die in the fall of 1998, with the dragging death of an African-American Texan, James Byrd Jr., whose murder earlier in 1998 sparked new efforts for hate crimes legislation.


You might as well say what you don't like about what he said. I personally think the two cases are good examples of recent hate crimes.


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Khephra Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:11 PM
Response to Reply #19
21. The bit I saw had this black woman who was telling Kerry how mad
Edited on Mon Mar-08-04 10:12 PM by khephra
she was about the comparisons between gay marriage and the black civil-rights struggle. Kerry stood up to her and used those examples as to why he though gay rights were just as important as rights for blacks. The 2nd Black President bit was either right before this section of after it. I know, as I saw it on TV today, but the sequence of how it all happened is a bit blurry.

(I'm sick with a high fever, so everything is a bit blurry today.)
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SemperEadem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 04:17 PM
Response to Reply #21
64. I saw that, too...
You could see her wilt under his response... she was doing it just to be on tv, because her whole point was pointless. She was trying to spin a racial issue... playing the small aspect of the race card instead of being able to see the whole picture of everyone's civil rights.
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Media_Lies_Daily Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:31 PM
Response to Reply #18
30. So, what is it that we should all "find out about his wife"?...
And what was the alleged "dumb statement he made today about the guy who drug behind a truck in Texas"?

Do you really think any blacks will vote for Junior after what he did to them in Florida and several other states during the Coup of 2000?

And how exactly will Junior gain black votes with the "gay marriage issue"?

Do you think Junior will ever look "connected to the people" after what he's done to the economy to hurt the working man and further enrich the top 1%?

If any of my questions place me among the other "jackasses", so be it. I think I have quite a bit of company.

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seaglass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:08 PM
Response to Original message
20. I can't see why this was offensive, I guess if another group
complained like the NAACP, or CBC or someone that I trusted was even handed I woulld think an apology is in order.

This woman is encouraging voters to register Independent and says right on her website that anyone who voted for IWR needs to be thrown out of office. Somehow I think she has an agenda.
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Khephra Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:14 PM
Response to Reply #20
22. Maybe because Clinton was "given" the title
Edited on Mon Mar-08-04 10:15 PM by khephra
And Kerry is mentioning it first in reference to himself, instead of waiting for someone else to say it in reference to him on their own?

:shrug: just a guess :shrug:

What do I know? I'm just a white suburban punk.
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seaglass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:23 PM
Response to Reply #22
27. It sounded like he was interested in earning the title
rather than bestowing it on himself, but that's just my interpretation.

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Career Prole Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:50 PM
Response to Reply #27
31. Exactly what I saw in it...
Edited on Mon Mar-08-04 10:53 PM by Career Prole
..."wouldn't be upset if I could earn the right"?
I thought the choice of those words would obviate the need for any apology. What some see as pandering I see as refreshing humility and a sincere attempt to connect. If that's a bad thing, well by all means he should apologize. I can understand that cynicism has become popular after three years under the S**thead, but getting all chesty about that remark seems like an overreaction to me. :shrug:

Edited to get the quote right...
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TacticalPeek Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:27 PM
Response to Reply #22
28. There it is.
Earned vs assumed.

I'm not sure I've ever heard Clinton refer to it, though he probably has. It's saying that he's got soul, and stands up for the people.

Kerry just overreached, and was presumptive. Be President, then try to be another 'black' president if you wish and can. Shades and a sax would help.

:)

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Lucille Donating Member (402 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:16 PM
Response to Original message
23. Andrew Young National Center--A web-based for profit corporation? !
From their website:
http://www.ayncsc.com/


The Andrew Young National Center for Social Change (AYNCSC) Inc., a web-based for-profit corporation, provides a range of human service products nationally. We are the only for-profit corporation offering solutions to social issues through our product service line. Please visit our service link for detailed information regarding our products
Customer Service Pledge

We look forward in serving you as our customer.

---------

In Voter Legislative Political Reforms :

It is time that the socially disadvantaged groups in America came together as one with our issues, demanding a seat at America’s table of decision. Taking our votes out of the major parties, registering as an independent voter will make the major parties take our issues seriously and earn our votes!

Our votes have been taken for granted by the Democrat Party. It is felt that many of our issues are not considered in the Republican Party. Therefore, it is time that political candidates regardless of their party affiliation are made to earn our votes. Registering millions of voters in one party prior to an election only allows them to take our votes for granted. It is time to get smarter…register independent

------

Intersting that the Democratic Party has actively wronged voters, while the Republican Party "is felt" to be indifferent.


About Andrew Young, former president of The Andrew Young National Center for Social Change
---
Ambassador Andrew Young is chairman of Goodworks International, a specialty consulting group based in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides strategic services to corporations and governments operating in the global economy. He serves as a member of the boards of directors of numerous organizations and businesses including Delta Airlines, Argus, Host Marriott Corporation, Archer Daniels Midland, Cox Communications, and Thomas Nelson Publishers.
------

Unless I missed it, the website does not indicate what relationship Young has to this organization, other than the obvious use of his name.

Under "Building Initiative"
The National Center for Social Change Foundation's (NCSC), primary mission is to raise funds to build the Andrew Young National Center for Social Change Inc. in honor of former Ambassador Andrew Young. United States former President Jimmie Carter named Mr. Young Ambassador to the United Nations in 1977. Read more about Ambassador Andrew Young.

--snip
Our goal is to raise an INITIAL $20 million dollars to build the center that will become the national headquarters of operation for the Andrew Young National Center for Social Change Inc. Currently, operations are located at the Pennsylvania Capitol Office in Harrisburg Pennsylvania.
---

Nothing that I can see indicates how many people work for this organization, which does for-profit conflict resolution and performs "educational services." Nor is there any indication of when this Center began its work. My guess is that it's a recent astroturf org put together in time for the election.

But I could be wrong.
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nolabels Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:59 PM
Response to Reply #23
33. Anybody want to send Andrew Young an E-mail
Maybe he has a comment he would like to ad to all of this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Young
Andrew Young

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Andrew Jackson Young, Jr. (born March 12, 1932) is a noted Civil rights activist, was the former mayor of Atlanta, Georgia and the United States's ambassador to the United Nations in the Jimmy Carter administration.

Andrew Young was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father was a dentist and his mother a school teacher.

After one year at New Orleans' Dillard University, in 1947 Young went to Howard University in Washington D.C. where he received his Bachelor of Science and pre-med degree in 1951. He had originally planned to follow his father's career of dentistry, but then felt a religious calling. He entered the ministry and received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Hartford Theological Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut in 1955.
(snip)
(snip)
Andrew Young was elected mayor of Atlanta in 1981, and re-elected in 1985.

Young was co-chair of the committee which brought the 1996 Summer Olympics to Atlanta.

Young continues his activism in favor of human rights, and is co-chair of Good Works International
(snip)

http://www.ncccusa.org/news/2000GA/young.html
Ambassador Andrew Young is chairman of Goodworks International, a specialty consulting group based in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides strategic services to corporations and governments operating in the global economy. He serves as a member of the boards of directors of numerous organizations and businesses including Delta Airlines, Argus, Host Marriott Corporation, Archer Daniels Midland, Cox Communications, and Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Now the National Council of Churches' Immediate Past President, Ambassador Young served as NCC President -- a part-time, non-salaried leadership post -- in 2000-2001. His NCC presidency brought him full circle, as he had served as associate director of the Department of Youth Work of the NCC’s Division of Christian Education from 1957-61.

Ambassador Andrew Young is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He has published two books, A Way Out of No Way, Thomas Nelson, and An Easy Burden, Harper Collins. His awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom and many honorary degrees. He served three terms in the US Congress from the 5th district of Georgia. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter named him Ambassador to the United Nations. He served two terms as Mayor of Atlanta and was Co-Chairman of the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996.
(snip)

Looking at the bio, noting the tout about his corporate ties, I would not expect too much of a straight answer. I could be wrong but I think he might have been COLIN-ized.
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nolabels Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:19 PM
Response to Original message
24. As a pink skin, I would like to apologize
But only after laying down that the administration of the sock puppet is the most race baiting one in recent times. I went to that web site, they have a few things there. I wonder why the corporate media is not putting this one out there for everyone to look at.

http://www.ayncsc.com/2-12-04PresBushVisit.html
The President’s Visit to Harrisburg PA

February 12, 2004

AYNCSC was fortunate enough to attend the visit of President George W. Bush at Central Dauphin High School. The key focus was the “No Child Left Behind” education program and job growth.

Over 200 students were in attendance, however, the white student body did not reflect diversity nor did the selected panel of five who sat on stage with the president. NOT one African American, Hispanic, Asian, Indian or other person of color or a high school student was part of the panel and they should have been.

Didn’t the organizers of the President’s visit understand that before we begin to think about community colleges we need our children to succeed in the elementary and high school classrooms academically?

It is too bad the president was not informed about the new study that was just released yesterday (February 12, 2004) regarding racial bias in Special Education or was he?

The Commonwealth Foundation, Dr. Matthew Ladner, within the study results found evidence of pervasive racial bias by Pennsylvania public school districts in the labeling of children as “learning disabled”. “By labeling children disabled may seriously damage children’s self-images and confidence in their capabilities-perhaps permanently” stated Dr. Ladner.

(snip)
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JoeKSimmons Donating Member (109 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:23 PM
Response to Original message
26. Maybe Paula Diane Harris is a rethug trying to smear Kerry
Kerry needs to ignore this type of attack.
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GaryL Donating Member (413 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 10:56 PM
Response to Reply #26
32. I agree!
And I'd love to lock this thread because it by far contains the most inane crap I've read tonight.
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rocktivity Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Mar-08-04 11:55 PM
Response to Original message
34. They'd better seek a Bush apology while they're at it
http://www.counterbias.com/news001.html

George W. Bush recently displayed a glimpse of his dark side as he partook in a public display of racial insensitivity.

Before speaking to an audience of supporters in California, Mr Bush was introduced by an African-American male, whose head Mr Bush proceeded to rub while grinning and smirking.

...rubbing an African American's head for luck was at one time thought of as a "joke amongst those who didn't generally say "black person" when referring to one"...


Someone posted this yesterday, and I thought, "I'll believe it when I see it..."



:wow:
rocknation
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Tennessee_tarheel Donating Member (59 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 12:16 AM
Response to Reply #34
36. oh good grief
please tell me you are joking. So many on this site take things so literally I sometimes don't know when to laugh or sigh.
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rocktivity Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 01:11 AM
Response to Reply #36
38. The photo is authentic--until I saw it, I thought it was joke myself
For the record, I think Kerry's statement is being deliberately taken out of context. He made it clear that he realized that being considered a black president was something would be have to EARN. Rubbing a black male's head for luck in this day and age, however, is a different kind of animal--and I do mean "animal"!

:headbang:
rocknation

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goclark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 12:26 AM
Response to Original message
37. What He Said I OK With Me


I am African American and I take no offense in Kerry's statement.

Perhaps I'm missing something but I can't imagine Bush saying something like that, to the best of my knowledge he has never even met with the Congressional Black Caucus.

I took Kerry's statement to mean that it hoped that he would earn the love and respect of my people the way that Clinton earned it.
That is a tall order because the huge majority of African Americans love and adore Bill Clinton.
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0007 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 08:46 AM
Response to Reply #37
45. I'll second that
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JI7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 09:15 AM
Response to Reply #37
47. "earn" being the key word
i thought that was the best part of it. he said he would like to earn it. he didn't just say something as if he deserved it or took it for granted. and of course the term "black president" is more about the relationship and support between the community and president and not meant in a literal sense when speaking about clinton. this involves actually working together at all times and not just putting on a show at the convention with people of color on stage with a mostly white right wing audience and then ignoring them the rest of the times. this is something kerry will do with all people though. not just racial minorities, but religious also, and gays.
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noiretextatique Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #37
54. i don't love clinton or kerry...and i think the comment was DUMB
coming from a priviledged white man who will never have to know exactly what "being black" is. on the other hand, clinton got a little taste of what it's like, that's for sure.
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goclark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 10:24 PM
Response to Reply #54
72. Clinton Really Got A Taste of Black

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Khephra Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 08:24 AM
Response to Original message
44. kick
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Cooley Hurd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 09:17 AM
Response to Original message
48. I confess that I'm unfamiliar with the AYNCSC...
...but the voter survey on their website focuses on "independent" candidates and voters pretty heavily.

Does anyone know what the true political agenda of the AYNCSC is?
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goclark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 11:44 AM
Response to Reply #48
49. That is a survey?

They are asking some very personal questions that I was not willing to answer. I don't know what is up with this site. I thought that Andrew Young was pledged to Dean for a while. I have always known him to be a Democrat.

Sounds like they are putting feelers out for who wants to be an Independent. Hummmm
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retread Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 11:51 AM
Response to Original message
50. I cringed when I read the quote. n/t
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Jeff in Cincinnati Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 12:17 PM
Response to Original message
51. This is why Democrats lose elections...
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 12:21 PM by ritc2750
...our frigging base is crying like a pack of snot-nosed kids, each demanding that we adhere to a 100% purity test, the answers to which are not revealed until a candidate makes a faux pas. Then they demand an apology.

Kerry could wrap up the Presidency right now if he would tell Ms. Harris to take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut.
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SmokeyBlues Donating Member (385 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 12:35 PM
Response to Original message
52. I never did like the title given Clinton...
for the main reason that some people wittingly or unwittingly interpreted it to mean this:

"He liked jazz, ate a lot of fast food, grew up poor, single mother househole, etc....In effect, he shared so many characteristics that black people have."

Clever. Oh, and let's not forget he smoked a joint once or twice and had a thing for women on the side. Viola! The entirety of Black culture and life in a nutshell.

In my opinion, Toni Morrison was just plain wrong for bestowing this title on Clinton. He was just another white president who for the most part believed that all Americans should be treated equally. Trust me when I say that the title wasn't unanimously sanctioned by Black America, and to this day many of us folks find it insulting.

Now, as for Kerry's comment about wanting to be the second Black president, how about we Democrats/progressives work hard to elect a real first Black president (gender immaterial) first, as opposed to engaging in so much political barbershop chatter.
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nolabels Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 02:52 PM
Response to Reply #52
59. Need a little space here
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 03:42 PM by nolabels
Change the outlook a little. They just Kidnapped and overthrown a Pan-African in Haiti. I have no doubt in my mind if them were mostly pink skinned Euros on that island that this would have never happened

We have a dog and pony show with the Secretary of State. This position in the US government was for many years was the second or third most important position in executive branch in Washington

Pan-Africans men at an astronomical rate as compared to their counterparts are incarcerated in the prison / industrial complex (it's a growing industry regardless of a shrinking crime rate)

There also some people (probably many more than we could ever find out about, even on this board) that hold no space for Clinton to be any paragon of virtue. He did his job, with what they gave him to work and in spite of anything else. Looking back he was probably partly the impetus for some of this culture war. I have never heard the comparison about Pan-Africans and Clinton and don't buy into neither

In sports, when your a winner, they hate you or they love you. Looking at politics I really cant see much difference

They pit us against each other so they can get what they want, they tell us its the color or cultural lines. But what they are really looking at is the money and power over others line.

On edit: This post did sound like a forked touge esay, what I was meaning by it is the people see race as an issue use it for a wedge against others. This is a damn shame in my opinion, this deversity of people in the US should be one of the greatest assets in insuring democracy.

I have seen quite of them racial things go on, heard and read of a lot more, its very wrong but only working together can anything be changed. If you notice someone is weak at something do you try to help or do try to overtake. Kerry sounds a little naive or inexperienced on some of the issues here, but could things get any better with him on this issue?

Sorry for the soap box, I just seems like we all have more in common than can be displayed and also very complex on comming to a consenses of how move foreward with everybodies interests included
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noiretextatique Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 03:14 PM
Response to Reply #52
62. thanks for saying this better than i could
my sentiments exactly. i never cared for the title either, and it always annoys me when i hear it. and i agree wholeheartedly with your final comment, and would add that if mr. kerry's nomination of a black vice-presidential candidate would mean a lot more to me than his hope that some black people like him as much as clinton.
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SmokeyBlues Donating Member (385 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 08:59 PM
Response to Reply #62
68. Actually, you expressed your opinion quite well!
And I share your sentiments about Kerry doing something really meaningful by nominating a black vice-presidential candidate. But as Steve Martin would say: Nah!

Oh these times of ours. They do be strange.
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SemperEadem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 04:13 PM
Response to Reply #52
63. I'm black and I never felt the title was insulting or offensive
something that puny isn't enough to rise to offense... it's all campaign rhetoric used to pimp your vote.
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Robb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 01:33 PM
Response to Original message
55. Opensecrets.org on Paula D. Harris donations:
She donates exclusively to Republicans; why should we care what she thinks about Kerry? :shrug:

HARRIS, PAULA D
BELLAIRE,OHÊ43906
TETOR INC
4/8/2002
$200
Collins, Susan M (R, ME)

HARRIS, PAULA
BELLAIRE,OHÊ43906 Ê
6/1/2002
$200
Talent, James M (R, MO)

HARRIS, PAULA D
BELLAIRE,OHÊ53906
TETER INC
11/1/2002
$200
Cornyn, John (R, TX)
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Lucille Donating Member (402 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 01:56 PM
Response to Reply #55
56. Hah! Good work.
If only we could find out when and two whom her webpage was registered, and whether or not they actually do any "educational consulting" or "conflict resolution." They have to pay taxes, don't they? And what about the "donations" to their planned 20-million dollar center?
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noiretextatique Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 03:03 PM
Response to Reply #56
60. curiously, i couldn't find a website for this organization
:shrug:
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NewYorkerfromMass Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 02:01 PM
Response to Reply #55
57. Excellent! You bagged them!
a faux civil rights group.
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DemMother Donating Member (422 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 04:38 PM
Response to Reply #55
65. from the site
"The Andrew Young National Center for Social Change (AYNCSC) Inc., a web-based for-profit corporation, provides a range of human service products nationally. We are the only for-profit corporation offering solutions to social issues through our product service line. Please visit our service link for detailed information regarding our products."

<http://www.ayncsc.com/>

Thanks to Wonkette...
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SemperEadem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 02:03 PM
Response to Original message
58. Man! Most Americans can't grasp sarcasm and humor
Kerry has said nothing that requires an apology.
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noiretextatique Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 03:06 PM
Response to Original message
61. on second thought
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 03:10 PM by noiretblu
this does seem to be blown way out of proportion, and after rereading the comment, i don't think the remark is offensive in the context in which he gave it. but...it still bugs me.
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Moloch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 07:51 PM
Response to Original message
66. .
Edited on Tue Mar-09-04 07:56 PM by damkira
.
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demdave Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 07:53 PM
Response to Reply #66
67. Did you not know you were at the DU??
That is the main pastime here. :bounce:
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Dying Eagle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Mar-09-04 10:27 PM
Response to Original message
73. Good Idea?
Give Kerry bad press. How much has Bush done for civil rights? NOTHING. So shoot your selfs in the foot dumb asses.
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