Elizabeth Edwards says that 'We can't make John black, we can't make him a woman.' Your thoughts please.

Question

http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2007/08/08/elizabeth-edwards-regret-we-cant-make-john-black/?ncid=NWS00010000000001

I was checking my AOL email and I logged out and came upon this article. The headline grabbed my attention: 'Elizabeth Edwards' Regret: 'We Can't Make John Black'

I clicked on the link immediately and read it because it was presented on AOL as if it was a 'controversial (i.e. racist) remark, I had to see it for myself. She was NOT being a racist. She wasn't even being sexist. She was just stating her thoughts.

I won't go as far as to say that Obama is only going after the black vote or Hillary is only going after the women's vote like Liz is implying, but every comment of this sort isn't made out of malice or racism. So why do the media constantly misconstrue them as such?

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think she's saying that he's going to have to run on his stance on ISSUES, not race or gender. She's a pretty amazing woman.

Answer 2

Quite frankly, her comment was quite poignant. The discussions regarding the Democratic nomination are focussed, primarily, upon the fact that there could be a female or a black man as nominee/president. Is this really the important point? Is this really what should be news? How bout the discussions regarding the best candidate with respect to the issues? Kudos to Elizabeth for pointing out how ridiculously silly and superfluous the media and public are for focussing so much attention on things that don't matter... By the way, I'm not a fan of her's, but I too am sick to death of hearing about the person, rather than their stands on the issues...

Answer 3

Well the immediate tongue in cheek answer might be "Yeah, she wishes she could make John "Black" in more ways then one..."

But I think that is the frustration he faces. Here he is if it weren't enough to run against Hilary Clinton who would be formidable to run against on that side of the aisle. Now he has to deal with Barack Obama who has almost a rock star like following in the Democratic party. So, where he would be striving for first any other year, he's fighting to keep third. I think she's oversimplifying the problem though. If he were black, a woman or for that matter a black woman with his ideas, he would still have problems.

Answer 4

I assume she meant Obana appeals to black voters, Hillary seems to appeal to women although I don't see why. Subsequently Edwards is a distant third in the polls because Elizabeth thinks John cannot crack into either the black vote or the women's vote.

The media construes them as such to bolster their individual spin to in turn bolster support for their views and political aspirations. It is good business and generates $$$$$ to be classless, create controversy, damage good peoples lives and reputations. Until we turn our backs on the mainstream media moguls this is what we are left with during election time politics and reporting.

Answer 5

Its not racist or sexist, but I'm not so sure its true. I think candidates really need to watch what they say when they make the coverage complaint, so they don't come across as whiny.

The coverage complaint is valid, the front runners get more unfairly. This is ok to point out but I wouldn't go off speculating as to why you're not getting coverage. Mike Gravel (a guy I kinda like) came off really pathetic at the debate the way he whined about not being called on.

Answer 6

She wasn't being racist or sexist. But neither was she being accurate. Cosmetic Surgeons have known for a long time how to turn people black with melanin injections. The author of the contreversial 50's book and 60's movie "Black like me" had it done to him as an aid to his research on racism.

And surgeons have been successfully doing gender reassignment for some time. So, if John Edwards really wanted to.....

But Elizabeth's point was that not being a member of a group shouldn't be seen as the inability to represent their interests fairly. It is racist to think that only someone who looks like you is on your side.

Answer 7

The media does this constantly, and is biased beyond all belief. The headline got your attention - how many people do you think actually continued to read the article. I am willing to say that the percentage is in the mid - 40s . . .

Answer 8

The media is trying to blow up every possible disagreement into a full-out controversy, because controversy sells.

So far, I very much admire Elizabeth Edwards.

Answer 9

I don't think she was being racist or gender biased. But I think her comments do suggest a view that they are only the top contenders because of their race and gender, and that is wrong. I think she sees her husband trailing behind and is desperate to make any point she can to boost him up. But this is the wrong way to go about it.

Answer 10

She was probably referring to a percieved advantage his opponents seem to have. Hillary is, of course a woman and Obama is black. Those factors are perceived as being used to their advantage by Ms. Edwards. Right or wrong she is entitled to her opinion. It is just that HER opinion.

Answer 11

I say:
1. Get a sex change.
2. Get a tan.
3. Adopt the cultural identity of a black individual (specifically, a black woman).

It really isn't all that yard.