Ferraro's Affirmative Action Offense

By Imani Perry
Guest Contributor

Geraldine Ferraro's formulation that Barack Obama wouldn't have the success he's experiencing if he were a white man is troubling.  She obviously was trying to apply an affirmative action image to Obama, an image of unmerited acclaim and achievement. Leaving aside the race-baiting and incorrect information that enters almost all discussions of affirmative action, I just have to say: C'mon, Geraldine. Get real.

To begin with, at best this would be the pot calling the kettle black. When Ferraro was a mere 43 years old and had spent six years in Congress, she became the Democratic party vice presidential nominee. Despite the experience at the top of the ticket, Ferraro with her relative inexperience undoubtedly helped the campaign. She was a better candidate than Mondale. But I wonder if she considered herself just an unqualified woman candidate, a female novelty disrupting the legitimate meritocracy of American politics.

See how offensive such formulations are?

But let's return to the question raised by Ferraro. What if Barack Obama were a white man? If Barack Obama were a white man with his extraordinary intellect, commitment to excellence and charisma, people would be far less likely to raise questions about his "funny name" (he calls it that) and unpreparedness. (JFK anyone?)

No one gets to be president of the Harvard Law Review by being an "unqualified minority". He's the frontrunner on the Democratic side because he is a superb politician  and because more people have voted for him than for Hillary Clinton.

But we can look at this another way: If Barack Obama were a white man, these gifts he possesses might not have developed in the way they did. Each person comes into the world with a unique spirit. The interface of that spirit with the body into which he or she is born and the society and family in which he or she lives and grows, creates the human personality. Perhaps Obama's encounters with bigotry and the diversity of his experiences shaped many of the qualities we admire in him. Perhaps being born on American soil as Barack Hussein Obama, a biracial second generation American in a body that is always perceived as a "Black man", gifted him with a second sight that voters are looking to in troubled times.

I often think of the experience with inequality and adversity as one that cuts at least two ways. It can be demoralizing, devastating and wounding. On the other hand it can build extraordinary character, insight and strength. I have taken great pains in my own life to channel it to the latter kind of development and perhaps I have chosen to support Barack Obama because I see that in him as well. I never denounce those who buckle under the pressure of inequality, but I believe we must also champion those who thrive in spite of it.

All that to say: It is perverse and dishonest to present Barack Obama as the privileged one in this equation. We know why Hillary Clinton doesn't want to reveal her tax returns. The image of her as a working class champion will suffer with the revelation that her power is not simply a product of being a political insider and public servant. She also has enormous personal wealth.

There is no affirmative action in politics besides that which comes from nepotism, wealth, and inside connections. If there is an affirmative action candidate in this election it is Hillary Clinton. And if there is a bootstraps candidate, it is Barack Obama.

Imani Perry, Ph.D., J.D. is a professor at the Rutgers School of Law-Camden and visiting professor at the Princeton University Center for African American Studies.

Comments

[blackstone]

There was a white male candidate. Noone dug him. Whats his name? Edwards something? :)

[thewolf1]

I caucused in tiny Jonah, Texas. There were 10 votes for Clinton, 13 for Obama. Two people were Black (Obama), two were Hispanic (one for each), and the women split evenly, as did the whites. Each candidate received two delegates, and the four chosen agreed amiably over who would chair (a black man, after his wife said she had to work the Saturday of the county convention). Jonah is in Williamson County, one of the reddest counties in the nation. I hope these candidates don't screw this up.

[Dwain A. Pellebon, Ph.D.]

Professor Perry stated the response well. As one who teaches diversity in a social work program, I would have not predicted one year ago that a female and an (non-conservative) African American could be elected president. While there are signs of resistance among some voting democrats to having an African American or female nominee, there does seem to be a majority willing to take the step. But Senator Obama's appeal is not because he is of African descent. Simply put, he is believable. He addresses the issues with such clarity and hope that his message transcends color. And Ferraro's comments diminish the reality of a well qualified presidential candidate who so happens to be of African descent.

Senator Clinton stated that she "disagrees" with Ferraro's statement. However, I believe they both owe Senator Obama an apology and should "denounce and reject" any inference of racial sympathy. As far as identity sympathies play, Senators Clinton and Obama are on similar turf--the dream that a female American or an African American can be the President of the United States.

If this party does not handle this issue and the up-and-coming mudslinging, there will be an angry split in the party. At a time when the GOP is at its weakest, the Clinton/Obama batttle may end the hope for change. Maybe it is time for the super delegates to use their clout to bring them together and work out a strategy and timetable to select a nominee. Whichever candidate does not work for the greater good, well, maybe the super delegates should let them know their support will go in the other direction. For the sake of all that is good, the democratic party must win the presidency.

By the way, as a Black American, I was supporting Senator Clinton as President hoping Senator Obama would accept the Vice Presidency. In my judgment, that ticket would result in 12 years of a democrat in the White House. But Senator Clinton's style of "fighting" for the nomination has become very divsive and personal. The republicans have mastered the art of negative politics, and democrats know it when they see it. I am seeing it now with the Clinton campaign.

Dwain Pellebon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Social Work