Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I really like Gov. Whitmer, but ... We're looking at white privilege in real time [View all]StarfishSaver
(18,486 posts)118. My OP said exactly that
Gov. Whitmer is being credited for performing very well in an office that black women have been blocked from holding and, thus have never been able to prove how competently they would perform in
the role.
...
Black women are essentially being penalized for not gaining certain kinds of executive experience when they've been denied access to the only venue in which they could acquire that kind of experience - while a white woman who has been granted entry into that small room is touted as more qualified than the black women to hold another office that has been denied to women of all races because she had the advantages they were prevented from obtaining.
This is not a knock against Gov. Whitmer - I think she's great.
the role.
...
Black women are essentially being penalized for not gaining certain kinds of executive experience when they've been denied access to the only venue in which they could acquire that kind of experience - while a white woman who has been granted entry into that small room is touted as more qualified than the black women to hold another office that has been denied to women of all races because she had the advantages they were prevented from obtaining.
This is not a knock against Gov. Whitmer - I think she's great.
And yes, you are misreading my point - and misunderstanding the entire issue of white privilege and systemic racism.
White privilege and systemic racism can operate without any I'll will of the people it benefits. That's how it works. People giving Whitmer extra points for being governor are not necessarily doing so because of any animus toward black women. They may very well believe honestly that being a governor makes one eminently qualified to be VP.
My point and goal is to encourage people to consider how white privilege and systemic racism work when we're looking at qualifications in this way - and to understand that when we're deciding what pool which pools of experience are most desirable, we need to take in to account how those pools are filled and who can and cannot get into them, through no fault of their own.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
169 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
I really like Gov. Whitmer, but ... We're looking at white privilege in real time [View all]
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
OP
If too many people are "missing your point" then maybe there is something wrong with your point?
LisaL
Aug 2020
#9
Correct me if I'm wrong, but we don't stop black women from running for Governor
mr_lebowski
Aug 2020
#6
No, but I don't think its right to imply they're being blocked from holding the office
mr_lebowski
Aug 2020
#18
As long as your not implying that there's something wrong with giving her the credit she's earned ..
mr_lebowski
Aug 2020
#59
I have no problem with her getting credit for doing a great job as governor. She's earned it
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#64
Okay, well ... it was not clear to me that you were saying that the people who are bugging you
mr_lebowski
Aug 2020
#123
It's not "executive level experience" that's being touted. It's being a governor
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#133
I hope not...this is what the GOP want...Benghazi well you know the rest. Sure she
Demsrule86
Aug 2020
#23
I'm sure Biden wouldn't pick her unless completely sure sonny is with the program
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#97
The issue is whether his loyalty to his mother is stronger than his attachment to Trump
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#160
Since I didn't call for Biden "to subjugate all other considerations to race"
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#58
I didn't say Biden would "actively betrayed black people if he chose a white workmate"
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#81
A black guy was the first Democrat to win two popular vote majorities in a row since FDR!
DemocratSinceBirth
Aug 2020
#79
No point in putting down other Democrats because you want things a certain way
SpaceNeedle
Aug 2020
#25
I am not a woman of color but I would be so disappointed if Biden does not choose a
CTyankee
Aug 2020
#33
I'm not saying that. I'm 100% pro BLM. And not diminishing it but saying all lives matter
Buckeyeblue
Aug 2020
#82
All of which is true. It is also true that Joe would be groundbreaking and inspiring to choose an
CTyankee
Aug 2020
#92
The bottom line is that there are no objective qualifications for the vice presidency
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#100
Exactly. He pledged to pick a woman, he didn't pledge that this woman has to be of a specific race.
LisaL
Aug 2020
#87
If it's not Demings, Rice, or Harris I am going to be profoundly disappointed.
DemocratSinceBirth
Aug 2020
#37
Well, it's not over and done yet. I am sure he is hearing from many, many other Democratic
CTyankee
Aug 2020
#45
The question is not who is qualified...all of Biden's people are qualified...the question is
Demsrule86
Aug 2020
#57
And Joe worked successfully by the side of the first black man elected President.
CTyankee
Aug 2020
#88
I'm not "holding anything against" her or Biden. Just making a simple, but obviously uncomfortable
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#93
White Democrats did. We aren't going for the Republican all white vote are we?
boston bean
Aug 2020
#107
As I said, please feel free to not participate in this discussion if you have a problem with it
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#136
Translation: "Feel free to not participate if you disagree with MY correct opinion"
brooklynite
Aug 2020
#138
If you want to play "translator," you need to up your comprehension game
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#139
How does that make her more qualified to be a VP running mate than any of the other women?
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#131
She helps beat Trump...which we must do in order to govern. Val Demmings is the only
Demsrule86
Aug 2020
#134
Do you think there are many voters in Michigan who won't vote for Biden but will vote for him
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#137
There are/have been black congresswomen, black female senators, black female CEOs.
SMC22307
Aug 2020
#142
Why do you think there have been no black female governors in American history?
StarfishSaver
Aug 2020
#146
Enlighten us. Especially since, like I said, there have been black female elected officlals...
SMC22307
Aug 2020
#148
Cori Bush was recently elected as the first black congresswoman in the state of Missouri
JonLP24
Aug 2020
#151