Fellow Kerry supporters, did Kerry ever speak about the issue of race?

[politicasista]

I am just curious because I think this is the reason why so many supposedly went from the churches to vote Smirky back in beacuse they got scared that Kerry was going to reach out to the minority (blacks, latino, asians, etc) population. I wish the campaign would have brought this up more during the election.

[WildEyedLiberal]

1. I know there's a speech of him to the NAACP

From May, I think.... it's on the Kerry Kit DVD from MoveOn. He talked a lot about civil rights in that speech.

[politicasista]

2. I know he spoke to the NAACP

I just saw a thread about Clark and Edwards and how they spoke out on issues that matter to blacks like poverty, equal rights, and so on.

[progressiveandproud]

6. I get the sense, though...

...that Democratic candidates tend speak of poverty in front of black audiences, and the "middle-class squeeze" in front of their usual mostly-white audiences. It's duplicitous, and I want the Dems to start talking about working class issues in front of rich people and stop tip-toing around for fear of offending whoever happens to be in front of them at the moment.

[JI7]

3. yes he did

many times as i saw his speeches regularly on cspan and when posted on his website.

and Kerry got more black voters than Bill Clinton did in 1992 and 1996. there was just a 2 percent difference from 2000 because of the gay marriage thing. some black people got offended when he compared the civil rights movement to gay rights.

but the black vote seems to be stronger in the democratic party then it has been in the past. since it's still a higher percentage than clinton got both times.

[politicasista]

5. Thanks JI7 for clearing that up

because many blacks were spolied by Clinton.

[politicasista]

7. In a way civil rights should be separated from gay rights

Couldn't go back and edit the last post.

[JI7]

8. i do understand that it's offensive to many in the african american

community.

this one african american woman who was also supporting Kerry explained it to me . within the african american community there is a lot of homophobia. she herself supports gay rights also. but she explained it to me as how most black people feel, especially the religious ones.

but even some who support gay rights feel uncomfortable with the comparison to gay rights. so there is more to it and it's just not that simple.

[progressiveandproud]

4. Good question.

And one seldom asked by the pundits, but maybe that's 'cause most of them are white people (like me) inclined to imagine that racism only exists in subtle, oh-so-very-hard-to-pick-out ways.

Yeah right. Last October I read in the NY Times about the disenfranchisement of hundreds of thousands (or is that several millions?) of Americans, mostly black people, because of their status as ex-felons. So in many states these people can't vote because they may have been charged in the past for stuff like petty drug offenses. Talk about a second chance. Wow. That alone is sick.

Meanwhile, in one of the sickest ironies I've ever heard, several ex- felons are working as top programmers at Diebold, the most infamous voting-machine company.

And real felons like Martha Stewart and Kenneth Lay get "preferable treatment". Oh the workings of justice!

[marcologico]

9. Here's what Kerry and Bush say about affirmative action in the 3rd debate:

Q: Do you see a need for affirmative action programs, or have we moved far enough along that we no longer need to use race and gender as a factor?

KERRY: Regrettably, we have not moved far enough along. And I regret to say that this administration has even blocked steps that could help us move further along. On the Small Business Committee, we have a goal for minority set-aside programs. doesn't reach those goals. They don't even fight to reach those goals. They've tried to undo them. The fact is that in too many parts of our country, we still have discrimination.

BUSH: Like my opponent, I don't agree we ought to have quotas. I agree, we shouldn't have quotas. I believe the best way to help our small businesses is to unbundle government contracts so people have a chance to be able to bid and receive a contract to help get their business going. Minority ownership of businesses are up, because we created an environment for the entrepreneurial spirit to be strong.


Q: Do you see a need for affirmative action?

KERRY: We still have discrimination. And affirmative action is not just something that applies to people of color. It also is with respect to women, it's other efforts to be inclusive. This president is the first not to meet with the NAACP, with the Black Congressional Caucus, with the civil rights leadership.

BUSH: It is just not true that I haven't met with the Black Congressional Caucus. We've expanded Pell Grants by a million students. Do you realize today in America, we spend $73 billion to help 10 million low- and middle-income families afford college? I believe the best way to help small business is not only through loans, which we have increased, but to unbundle government contracts so people have a chance to receive a contract. Minority ownership of businesses are up, because we created an environment for the entrepreneurial spirit to be strong. Today more minorities own a home than ever before. And that's hopeful.

Source: Third Bush-Kerry debate, in Tempe AZ Oct 13, 2004

from "Kerry on Civil Rights," http://www.issues2000.org/2004/John_Kerry_Civil_Rights.htm