Please consider my prediction about race in this primary.

In case of a jury deciding whether to hide this OP, which is likely, I would ask jurors to consider the following. This post is an opinion, but it is presented respectfully and without unfair labels of characterization. It is an attempt to counteract some attacks which will almost certainly be forthcoming on this site and elsewhere. If we can’t engage in honest and respectful dialog on this site, then what does that say about the state of the Democratic Party, at least on DU?

I am a lifelong Democrat. I have been aware of every Democratic nominee since 1960, but the first time I had some political consciousness was in 1968, when I was 13. Here is what I can say about every GOP primary from 1968. Each one has used race as a wedge issue to divide people and set them against each other. It was part of Nixon’s “Southern Strategy.” It remains part of the ugliness of the GOP.

Here is what I can tell you about Democratic primaries: usually when race plays a high profile in the campaign, it is an attempt at coalition building and inclusion, rather than as a wedge issue to divide people. Campaigns that come to mind in that regard are Shirley Chisholm in 1972, Jesse Jackson in 1988, Bill Bradley in 2000 and John Edwards in 2008.

The only two Democratic primaries, at least as far back as 1968, where race has been used as a wedge issue, i.e. divisively, is in 2008 and 2016. The only common denominator in those two primaries is Secretary Clinton.

I am raising this issue because of the following prediction: I believe this problem is going to get more and more ugly until the nomination is resolved. I hope that once it is resolved we can pick up the pieces and move forward. In the mean time, if you see a racial political attack, please consider my prediction.