Seattle City Council candidate Venus Velazquez speaking at a "Hate Free Zone" candidate forum in June:
You need to look at this leadership up here and decide: are we the people who look like you? who come from you? And if we're not, don't vote for us. But if we are, vote us in.That struck me as an offensive racial appeal. I e-mailed both Velazquez and her opponent, Bruce Harrell, for a comment. Harrell sent this:
I certainly remember those comments at the forum. Unfortunately, Venus has gotten away with these types of positioning statements in several of her public forums. I, as well as Al Runte and other members of the audience were extremely uncomfortable with this discriminatory and exclusionary platform. Imagine the backlash if a white person said something like this publicly here in Seattle? Wouldn't they be run out of town?I'm still waiting for Velazquez's reply. A video of the entire "Hate Free Zone" forum is here. Velazquez's remarks are part of her closing statement which begins at 1:39:40.One of the things I love most about Seattle is our history of reminding citizens to look beyond ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, etc. when viewing each other. I believe that most Seattlites will choose to evaluate candidates not by their appearance, but by their character and leadership. Venus' statements are clearly out of line with Seattle's progressive environment.
I hadn't decided whether to vote for Harrell or Velazquez before I watched the entire video of the candidate forum. Their positions on the issues seem fairly similar and far to the left of what I'm comfortable with. But it's clear from how they conducted themselves in this forum (more than just Velazquez's single odious soundbite and Harrell's appropriate response) that Velazquez is shrill and divisive and would be a toxic presence on the Council, while Harrell is a conciliator, making him the better choice.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at September 13, 2007 05:42 PM | Email ThisI mean, it's hopeless.
At least here in Kent there's a slim chance to fight for rational politics.
I would never under any circumstances vote for Velazquez after seeing this.
Posted by: pudge on September 13, 2007 06:14 PMBut voting for someone because they are the same race??? I've never voted for those reasons. Never would.
Posted by: Michele on September 13, 2007 08:36 PMThat little blurb of hers sounds so much like what I imagine they say at Klan rallies.
Posted by: TB on September 13, 2007 09:45 PMAlthough according to Ann Coulter, I suppose his gender is in question ... ;-)
Posted by: pudge on September 13, 2007 11:45 PMLOL!
Posted by: Michele on September 14, 2007 02:15 AM2. Just curious, how are posters here defining:
a. the term racism
b. the appropriate use of the term racism
3. I don't think I have been called pond scum, but I certainly have been called vile, liar, and lacking in intellect. It is interesting to observe who is using the term racist. I have been reading this blog over a year and posting here a little less than that. I can be corrected in this observation, but it seems that many now alluding to what they feel is in this instance is the appropriate use of the term "racist" generally have little good to say about any person of color accept when it is useful to use them attack another person of color. In this particular contest, I suppose some person has to be preferred since both candidates are candidates of color.
Personally, I think Ms. Vasquez appears to be a pander bunny like many pols and will say whatever is necessary before any group to get the highest percentage of those from that group to vote for her. I am much more concerned about lack of backbone for a particular candidate and whether they are willing to take stands on tough issues and Seattle has some really tough issues coming up. Many of the MOVEON and HATE FREE ZONE crowd have very little idea of how to run a city and make it work so that people want to live here. In my opinion, their ideology. for them, often trumps common sense and what works in real life.
So, how are you folks defining "racist" and how are you using the term?
Posted by: WVH on September 14, 2007 06:50 AMI get your point WVH, is it pander bear or racist?
I think this woman crossed the line of merely pandering. And Stefan said both candidates were unsatisfactory to him regarding issues. So, how else does he vote except by who he thinks would be a better representative or presence on the Council?
Posted by: swatter on September 14, 2007 07:09 AMAs you know I am willing to call a spade a spade as it were. I am willing to call Jackson/Sharpton and their ilk racists. In this case, I honestly don't know. The reason is this, Sharpton/Jackson seek and use racial politics exclusively. At their core they are shakedown artists. If one looks into their financial operations, their activities have richly benefited them and their cronies. Jackson's daughter-in-law is now on the Chicago City Council. Given what I know, at this point, I would say pander bear.
Posted by: WVH on September 14, 2007 07:16 AMSaying you should vote for someone just because of their race, or against someone just because of their race -- regardless of which races are at issue -- is racist. What she said was racist, pure and simple.
Not that I did not call HER a racist. I called what she SAID racist. There's a big difference.
Posted by: pudge on September 14, 2007 08:29 AMFirst of all, I hardly ever use the word "shrill". (search for it in the archives, and see for yourself). And for all their faults, I do not consider either Hillary Clinton or Christine Gregoire to be "shrill". Divisive yes, but label that applies to a lot of politicians of both parties and both genders.
And if you imply that you consider me to be shrill and divisive, that disproves your claim that "only women get criticized for that", doesn't it?
Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on September 14, 2007 08:33 AMWhich explains how she can get away with statements like this in Seattle.
Posted by: CrazyFool on September 14, 2007 11:50 AMDictionary.com Unabridged -noun 1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism
I believe that under this definition Ms. Vasquez is not a racist, more likely in the infant stages of race-baiting which could eventually lead to racism. Both genders and all ethnic groups can have individuals who are racists. Sharpton/Jackson have been race baiting so long that they are, in fact, racists. Racism has paid off monetarily for them.
I know that many of you don't like Wiki, but sometimes it is a excellent source. Their definition of race-baiting is quite good:
"Race baiting is the act of using racially derisive language, actions or other forms of communication, to anger, intimidate or incite a person or groups of people, or to make those persons behave in ways that are inimical to their personal or group interests. This can also be accomplished by implying that there is an underlying race based motive in the actions of others towards the group baited, where none in fact exists. The term race in this context can be construed very broadly to include the social constructs which define race or racial difference, as well as ethnic, religious, gender and economic differences. Thus the use of any language or actions for the purpose of exploiting actual or perceived weaknesses in persons who can be identified as members of certain groups, or to reinforce a group's perceived victimhood, in order to do them some sort of harm, or to manipulate their behavior, can be contained within the concept of "race baiting." Many people who practice race baiting often believe in racism, or have an interest in making the group believe that racism is what motivates the actions of others."
So, if I had to describe what Ms. Vasquez is doing, it is race-baiting and it is not healthy for the groups being addressed or the city. People
of color need to be involved in the political process as Mr. Harrell and Ms. Vasquez are now.
In order to be mature meaning operating at the top level of the political process, candidates are going to have to appeal to all flavors by being for something, standing for something, and seeking solutions to problems. Race-baiting has made Sharpton/Jackson ineffective and a joke. From what I can determine Ms Vasquez has too many gifts to go the Sharpton/Jackson route.
My two cents.
Oh by the way, I bet she is better looking than Rey as well. :-)
Posted by: WVH on September 14, 2007 04:55 PMI don't deny that this is one aspect of Venus's appeal when she makes those comments. But as an early Venus supporter, she and I have talked several times about the fact that we need more candidates like her running for City Council.
She's young. She's a mother. She's got young children who actually go to public school. I believe her husband is white (I haven't met him), so they have a mixed marriage and bi-racial children. They're committed to raising a family in the city limits. And more...
Yes, she's proud of her Hispanic culture, and I think it's a win whether she or Harrell are elected on the diversity issue alone, BUT Venus is speaking more to the notion that the City Council does not reflect very well the demographics of a city that is very young, new economy, young couples or just starting a family, and more!
Posted by: Mickymse on September 14, 2007 05:31 PMVarious "progressive" candidates, in various other parts of the country, have run with Hispanic sir names although they married into them. One wag actually went back to her divorced husband's Hispanic sir name to appeal to Hispanic voters who populated her district.
Sadly it works.
But this is part and parcel of how liberals operate. By hook and crook, never stating directly their views or what they will do once elected. The left's policies are so unsavory to most Americans that to state them directly, to put them open to debate, would mean electoral death. Better to sneak in the back door with activist judges and deals in the dark.
I state, without any reservation, that Venus Velazquez is a racist.
Posted by: pudge on September 15, 2007 12:38 AMI don't know her. I know what she said, and it was obvious what she meant, and it was racist.
Posted by: pudge on September 15, 2007 12:40 AMAs a side bar, racist or pander bear...I still vote racist...from Venus' own words...
"If we all join together for Latino advocacy we will gain more power and respect. As Latinos we need to connect and come together under one umbrella. We don't have time to be educating people about where we come from and what our differences are. We need to put all our energy together to move forward."
Directly from Venus on
http://www.oyetu.com/latinoarchives5.htm
Fine, maybe you could be discriminated against. What about skin color means that one person is more likely to do something about it, than someone else?
Here's an example. You are a woman and believe strongly that we need the Equal Rights Amendment. You could vote for Ted Kennedy, or Phyllis Schlafly. If you vote for the woman, it would be AGAINST your political interests!
No, Roy Wilkins saying it would not have made it make sense. My brother-in-law's father-in-law is Ed King, a white man, a civil rights activist from Mississippi, who was chaplain at traditionally black Tougaloo College. He was a delegate (one of only two) for the predominantly black Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party to the Democratic National Convention in 1964. Ed King still has scars on his face today from the KKK. He never ran for office, but if he had, he would have served the interests of civil rights for blacks more than many blacks would have. Maybe Wilkins would have said it, but if he had, it would have been racist coming from him, too.
So no, it does not make sense. Not at all. Perhaps you are right that someone who looks like you is "less likely" to oppose your racial interests, but to vote that way is admitting that you are THROWING OUT any consideration of "sense," because if you cared about "sense," you would actually find out what each candidate believed rather than guessing!
Posted by: pudge on September 15, 2007 09:54 PMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HANGnBFRLuc
Posted by: Rey Smith on September 16, 2007 11:04 AMLOL, no matter how cute you are, you still can't beat Denzel Washington and Brad Pitt. I suppose most of us here are working on our personalities.
:-)
It seems that any minority group has the freedom to demonstrate their pride and egos and freely form private and public alliances. Where as the majority has no freedom to demonstrate and form private and public alliances.
Examples abound:
Gay Pride Parades featuring nudity and indecent exposures. Imagine the public outrage if their were a Happy Hetero Parade featuring nudity and indecent exposures.
Black Colleges. Imagine a White College equal.
Woman clubs of all kinds. What about Men only clubs.
How about a White Protestant campaigning for votes based on his color and religion. Would that be approved by Seattle voters? Or would it be considered hateful?
I would suggest that if their is a question of racism or bigotry, just ask yourselves if an opposing majority group conducted themselves in the same manner would the activity be socially acceptable? If the answer is No. Then there is no question about the conduct of the minority group. Unless of course you feel that minorities are free offend the majority. In which case you are creating future problems because the majority will ultimately win.
Posted by: Snuffy on September 17, 2007 08:04 AMReally? You can't imagine any benefits?
Geez, my family loves living in Seattle for many reasons. Yet I can also think of many benefits to being in the 'burbs.
What we have here is a failure of imagination.
Posted by: Bruce on September 17, 2007 03:14 PM