Hit The Road Harry

All the way back in 2002, before YouTube and iPhones, before Change became a proper noun, then-Senate Majority Leader (or, soon to be) Trent Lott declared that America would be a better place if Segregationist Strom (Is it hot enough for you yet?) Thurmond was elected President in 1948. From my soap-box placed in the middle of my one bedroom apartment at the time, I demanded Lott be replaced. Not long after that, he did in fact step down, though I'm not quite sure if it was in response to me, or the rest of the thinking public which included (the first and last time he'll be included in the group "thinking public") President Bush.


Here we are in 2010 and another Senate Majority Leader has, like too many people before him, put himself in the crosshairs of the perpetual debate over racial and ethnic sensitivity. In a "deep background" interview with authors of the 2008 election recap Game Change, Harry Reid referred to President Barack Obama as 'light-skinned' and as having 'no Negro dialect'.


Naturally, the Republicans are calling this a double standard and demanding that Reid resign, citing that (ever so vaguely) 7 years ago, their Senate Leader goofed in the racial minefield so what's fair is fair and now the Democrats' Senate Leader should do the same.


Let's be clear right off the bat: To say this is apples and oranges would be an insult to fruit. This is more like apples and motor oil.


For starters, Lott was from Mississippi. Yes, call me crazy, judgmental or insensitive, I don't care. That matters. Mississippi's history with race relations makes South Africa cringe. Furthermore, Lott had a spotty, if not shameful, record in the Civil Rights arena. He voted against a MLK Holiday, many affirmative action measures, and if given the chance, likely would have voted against ending slavery.

Harry Reid on the other hand has a nearly impeccable record regarding Civil Rights on the surface (The problem arises with Reid when you dig deeper into reproductive rights). In this same book in question, we learn that Reid was working behind the scenes to not only get Obama into the race, but to help him win it, though that led to the unfortunate remark. I honestly don't look at Reid and think, you know, that dude's a bigot.


Discussions over race is a combat zone, there's no disputing that. I'm one of the handful of people who consider themselves left of center that thought Don Imus deserved to keep his job after his snafu. I just didn't think his intent was as ugly as his choice of words. Often times, and excuse the horrible pun, we see things in terms of black and white while the reality is, it's one big industrial sized barrel of gray. We can only attempt to judge intent. Sometimes (John Rocker) it's pretty easy. Other times (Jimmy the Greek), not so much. More often than not, it's an excuse for everybody to advance their agenda, regardless of the facts - I don't care if it's Al Sharpton or Glenn Beck.


It's not the PC thing to say, but you can't expect a 75 year old to be as tolerant as a 25 year old. It's just not a fair expectation in the slightest. I'm not accusing all senior citizens of being bigoted, not at all. But while we love to look back and revise history, you can't ignore the fact that our environment shapes us, no matter how stupefying that environment may now seem.


All of that being said, it's time for Harry Reid to resign. Forget about the political reality (that he's likely going to lose in November anyway) or the logistical necessities (his deep involvement in health care reform), or even the fact that, by all accounts, the President has accepted his apology and moved on (thankfully no beer summit needed).


I want Reid to step down for a reason much more simple than political sausage-making: I'm a registered Democrat and I don't feel comfortable with the fact that my party's Senate leader is that out of touch with the realities of life in 2010 America. I'm sure Harry is a great guy, probably a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, etc. But his choice of words speaks volumes to not only his worldview, but his perception (or lack thereof) of reality.

I'm as disappointed as anyone at the lack of "real change" one year into the Administration, though I definitely concede the challenges were more enormous than anticipated. That doesn't change the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans last November went to the polls to cast a vote for moving forward, for forging that More Perfect Union that the founders laid out, and for moving away from the Us v. Them mentality that nearly brought our laws, our defense and our nation to her knees.


You want to use the term "Negro Dialect" in 2010, that's you're right, but you'd be better of using it at one of those Klan Rallies disguised as a "Tea Party" then in your Senate Majority Leader office. Especially when you consider who the millions of people are that made you the Majority - people who find such a thought process to be antiquated at best and abusive at worst.

I wish Senator Reid the best of luck, and would sincerely hope that his career isn't defined by this low point. I just don't think naturally using those words can be reconciled with the agenda of so many millions of people who put him in such a position of leadership.