First Diary Attempt:
I suppose I should have realized sooner that just because someone is a Democrat it doesn't mean that they are not riddled with the traditional prejudices that are part of the fabric of this nation. But I guess I wanted to believe that anyone who clings to deep, uncontrolled bigotry would shun the Democratic party and be happily ensconced with the Republicans.
It's better to face the truth. If anything, that's what recent events have helped me to do. The reality is that the Democratic Party - the party I have aligned myself with for thirty years - is filled with deep pools of racism lurking just beneath the surface.
This poison has seeped out through the ugly, disgraceful words of the unrepentant Geraldine Ferraro. It animates the strange pride she has taken in "speaking her mind". It feeds her feigned cluelessness about why her sentiments would be considered racist. It gives life to her claims of being a target because she's white. The terrible truth is that Ferraro's actions are completely calculated. She knows - and Senator Clinton knows and Senator Clinton's advisors know that Ferraro is speaking to a very specific group of voters who are already, sadly, part of Clinton's base of support. Ferraro’s sentiments are a deliberate attempt to energize the group - quaintly dubbed " Archie Bunker" Democrats. Ferraro and the rest are clearly hoping to pit a demographic that wears ignorant prejudice like a badge of honor against a demographic that believes such views are reprehensible and represent the worst of American thought.
I sincerely believe that Ferraro and her ilk need to be denounced, and rejected by Democrats and especially the Democratic leadership. This needs to happen not only for the good of the party but more importantly for the good of the country. We as Democrats have a powerful opportunity to take a stand and state unequivocally that racism has no place in our party. We must stop being complicit in perpetuating racist points of view by passively accepting that "Archie Bunker" is one of us. It merely legitimizes people’s ignorance to give it a cute, clever pop culture moniker.
The poison of racism is so much a part of American culture that even those who are aware of it sometimes find themselves overlooking its destructive effect - as this quote from a recent news report aptly illustrates:
Race played a significant factor in Ohio,'' said Cuyahoga County Commissioner Timothy Hagan, who supported Obama. "These people are not necessarily bigots, but the image they see every day of black America is drugs, crime, guns and violence."
Let's not tiptoe around it. The people Hagen is referring to are indeed bigots. People who can't bring themselves to vote for an African-American candidate because to them "black America" is nothing but a cesspool of crime - are in fact ignorant and bigoted. Ferraro and Senator Clinton have done a terrible thing to them and to all of us by cynically pandering to the worst qualities of human beings who are perfectly capable of transcending their prejudices.
I understand that Senator Clinton has had to endure seeing her admirable dream of being the first woman president of the United States fading before her eyes. Not long ago, when this all started she was so clearly going to be the Democratic frontrunner that it seemed unthinkable that someone else would seriously challenge that "done deal". Now it is probable that she will have to give up her dream and lend her support to help someone else achieve his. For a proud, hard-working, ambitious person such as Senator Clinton that must be truly excruciating and in many ways humiliating. She has embodied the dream of many women who support her and who have waited a lifetime - as I have- to see a female commander-in-chief. Many are angry and frustrated that they must wait longer. I believe that it is sadness, anger and pain along with a desire to win at all costs that has lead Senator Clinton to use the recent tactics that have turned many of her own party against her. She's the only one who really knows her true motivation.
But now, I have a hope and a dream for Senator Clinton. She has a crucial role to play albeit one that requires a difficult personal sacrifice. It is a role that in many ways is more important than being the President of the United States and it's a role that only she can play at this point in time. My dream is that on behalf of the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, Senator Clinton actively reaches out to the so-called "Archie Bunker" Democrats and helps them transcend their bigotry. I hope to see her meet with white voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Appalachia - anywhere that's needed - and talk candidly about how racism has hurt us all as Americans. I hope that she will be a healing force that helps free people from ignorance, intolerance and bigotry. This role is every bit as important as bringing peace to Northern Ireland, opening borders in Kosovo and speaking out for women in Beijing. She is sorely needed in this role at this time and I hope she takes it on with all of her tenacity and strength. It's a lot to ask, I know. It might mean she will never realize her greatest personal dream but she will gain something far more important and long lasting. If she takes on this task she will be remembered with respect and admiration Then, whoever the woman may be who's destiny it is to be President someday can look to Hillary Rodham Clinton with gratitude for paving the way rather than citing Senator Clinton as an example of what not to do when given the chance to be a true leader.