1-5-03, Political Footnotes
A Racial Divide
By Stuart James
IPS Features
Johnny Holloway, Rainbow PUSH Coalition Director,
believes the election commission dispute shows blacks are not getting the same
support as whites in the Democratic Party. In taking this position, Mr. Holloway
said, “I am a member of the Democratic Party, and there is just something
about black people that they are really loyal to Democrats. I don’t understand
why, but they are.” Mr. Holloway believes the controversy surrounding the
Hamilton County Election Commission and County Commissioner William Cotton has
exposed a racial rift among local Democrats. Mr. Holloway believes that blacks
are not getting the same support as whites from the Hamilton County Democratic
Party. He believes there is a lack of support for Commissioner Cotton by the
Democratic Party. Unfortunately, Mr. Holloway believes that lack of support is
due to race.
Mr. Holloway’s comments show us that we have “a long
road to travel” before we can eliminate the issue of race in our society. It
is unfortunate that Mr. Holloway feels that the investigation into Mr.
Cotton’s conduct is racially motivated—creating a racial rift in the
Democratic Party. Mr. Holloway’s statements should sadden the party, and this
community. The controversy involving Mr. Cotton shows us we must take additional
steps to avoid these kinds of racial “accusations” in the future.
Mr. Holloway is probably wrong about the different
treatment between blacks and whites in the Democratic Party. Regardless of
whether he is right or wrong, Mr. Holloway believes that the divide exists.
It is now incumbent on the Democratic Party, and this community, to work to
eliminate these beliefs. However, Mr. Holloway must understand that moving to
eliminate this “racial rift” is a two-way street. Mr. Holloway needs to take
steps to make sure that no African American believes that he or she is “not
supported” because of race. In fact, as a leader of the African-American
community, Mr. Holloway should be the first to take action. In taking action,
Mr. Holloway must offer to:
A. Call for a full investigation into the election
irregularities. The investigation must include all individuals, and
organizations, regardless of political affiliation or race. This means the
investigation must involve Mr. William Cotton.
B. Mr. Holloway should ask Mr. Cotton to publicly step
forward and call for the same investigation. He should ask Mr. Cotton to declare
that he will fully cooperate, tell the truth, and answer questions about his
conduct with Ms. Jones, the cell phone calls to Ms. Jones, the dissemination of
election information, and the May 7 primary. Mr. Cotton must, moreover, declare
that he will cooperate regardless of his feelings about race.
C. Mr. Holloway must call upon the Hamilton County
Democratic Party to support a full investigation. Mr. Holloway must ask the
Democratic Party to declare that the investigation be fair and unbiased--without
regard to race or political affiliation.
D. Mr. Holloway must ask the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation to remain objective, conducting an investigation without regard to
race, political affiliation, or political pressure. Mr. Holloway should ask the
Hamilton County Democratic Party to support him in his request.
Mr. Holloway must understand that he is politicizing the
investigation by playing the race card. The politicization of the investigation
will not help Mr. Cotton, the election commission, or the community. The
politics surrounding Mr. Holloway’s statements will not sway the TBI in its
investigation of Mr. Cotton or the Election Commission. If anything, the
continued politicization of this investigation continues to draw fire toward Mr.
Cotton--not away from him. If Mr. Holloway is not careful, many will begin to
believe Mr. Cotton is directing Mr. Holloway’s conduct so Mr. Cotton can
“dodge a bullet.”
In light of Mr. Holloway’s beliefs, the Democratic
Party should declare that it supports a full and fair investigation. The
Democratic Party must declare that the investigation be unbiased, factual, and
free from racial motivation. Finally, the Democratic Party must declare that it
supports the investigation into all individuals involved with the controversy.
Fairness demands that the investigation be broad-based.
Most important, the Hamilton County Democratic Party
must declare that it supports everyone’s right to vote, everyone’s right to
free speech –
regardless of race.
Stuart F. James
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