Race: The Currency of Power

Racism and sexism endure. Think of the "Unite the Right" white supremacist, neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. But sometimes unexpected voices fan the flames.

As the civil rights movement gathered steam, colorblindness was the end game. Ballots could not identify candidates by race. Employers could not ask for the racial identities of applicants. As success approached, the Democratic Party was terrified of losing a wedge issue. (A greater percentage of Republicans in Congress voted for the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act than did Democrats).

Democrats thus changed the game from colorblindness to racial or gender preferences for nonvictims of discrimination. Even as the U.S. Supreme Court embraced colorblindness as a constitutional imperative, the Democratic Party continued marching in an opposite direction.

Former President Barack Obama, at a campaign rally endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, amplified:

"My understanding, based on reports I'm getting from campaigns and communities, is that we have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running." He added that it "seems to be more pronounced with the brothers." He continued, "And you are thinking about sitting out? Part of it makes me think -- and I'm speaking to men directly -- part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren't feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you're coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that."

Echoes of the past? President Woodrow Wilson wrote, referring to Blacks, that "the dominance of an ignorant and inferior race was justly dreaded." Mississippi Gov. and U.S. Sen. Theodore Bilbo chorused, "It is essential to the perpetuation of our Anglo-Saxon civilization that white supremacy be maintained and to maintain our civilization there is only one solution, and that is either by segregation within the United States, or by deportation of the entire Negro race."

Obama flirted with racism and sexism for political gain. I was floored. I thought he had higher principles. He urged people to vote for Harris on account of her race and sex, an act of desperation.

Former President Donald Trump is making headway with Black voters, jumping to 15%, a six-point climb since 2020. Blacks and other minorities are to the Democratic base what the MAGA crowd is to Trump. Lose that base and Democrats become permanent losers.

The Democratic Party has emptied the word "racist" of meaning. It now applies to anyone who subscribes to merit and character over skin color. According to Democrats, everyone is protected against discrimination or bigotry, but some are more protected than others. Whites, Asians, men and heterosexuals need not apply.

Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan magnificently explained in his legendary opinion in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): "In the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here. Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful."

But when Obama takes the stage to chastise his "brothers" for their inadequate enthusiasm for Harris, it's acceptable. When Trump tells Jews they would be crazy to vote for Biden or Harris, in contrast, protests erupt like Mount Vesuvius.

American leadership is plunging because Democrats have abandoned meritocracy for tribalism.

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved a proposal that requires all publicly traded companies listed on Nasdaq to include at least one female, one minority and one LGBTQ individual on their board, or provide justification for noncompliance. The SEC, however, would never think for requiring diversity of all-Black, all-female or all-LGBTQ boards.

Isn't racism or sexism by any other name as reprehensible?

Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast owner of the year. To find out more about him and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com

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