Maybe I can help explain why some African Americans are upset about the Clintons [View All]

I think some of the anger you're hearing on black radio these days is based on a feeling by many in our community that there is still a stark double standard for whites and for blacks. Many people I know feel just as strongly as Hillary's supporters do about the importance of this moment for their candidate and our community in our history and believe that Hillary and her supporters are stomping on this very special time.

And they know - as I do - that if the shoe were on the other foot, there is no WAY that the media, the party and the supporters of other candidates would have for one minute tolerated Barack Obama and his black supporters doing the same thing in this way. We know that, for example, if Obama's supporters tried to insert language in the Democratic Platform comparable to that demanded by Hillary's supporters, they would have been laughed out of the room and accused of "playing the race card," trying to force "racial preferences," "quotas," and "reverse discrimination" into the agenda, scaring off white voters, etc.

Imagine . . .

-------------------
Opportunity for African Americans

We, the Democratic Party, are the party that has produced more African American Governors, Senators, and Members of Congress than any other. We have produced first African-American Secretary of State, the first African-American House Majority Whip, and, in 1988 with Jesse Jackson and in 2008 with Barack Obama, the first African Americans in American history to win presidential primaries in our nation. We believe that our black sons and daughters should have the same opportunities as our white sons and daughters. We know that when America extends its promise to African Americans, the result is increased opportunity for families, communities, and aspiring people everywhere.

When black workers still earn 61 cents for every dollar that a white worker earns, it doesn’t just hurt African Americans; it hurts families and children. We will invest in black-owned small businesses and remove the capital gains tax on start-up small businesses. We will support African Americans in math and science, combat racial discrimination and increase American competitiveness by retaining the best workers in those fields, regardless of race. We will work to combat violence against African Americans.

We believe that standing up for our country means standing up against racism and all intolerance. Demeaning portrayals of African Americans cheapen our debates, dampen the dreams of our black children, and deny us the contributions of too many. Responsibility lies with us all.
-------------------------

So I understand this anger and frustration at how some Clinton backers are approaching this. While I don't share the anger, I certainly do feel a sense of frustration about it myself.