Post-Race America in Reverse
Most of the talk about post-race America has focused on the candidacy of Barack Obama and what his election could mean, namely that the country is finally beyond its past racial wounds. A recent Congressional election in Tennessee gives a glimpse of post-race America in reverse.
In the Tennessee 9th Congressional District’s Democratic primary, incumbent Stephen Cohen, a one-term white Jew, trounced his black female opponent in an overwhelmingly black district. The 9th District is home of Memphis, the city where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was, of course, shot and killed. The 9th District was controlled by the black, powerful Ford family for decades. Cohen, a long time member of the Tennessee General Assembly, barely won his first term and won it only because he had good name recognition in a large field of candidates, most of whom were black. Cohen is an unabashed liberal in a conservative state. His progressive record on civil rights is unassailable. He recently introduced the resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives apologizing for slavery.
Cohen’s black opponent played the race card over and over again during the primary election. It didn’t work. It backfired in the explosion of Cohen’s stunningly lopsided victory. Cohen is virtually ensured a return to Congress, as a strong Republican challenge in the general election is unlikely.
Memphis has had a history of racial tensions. Its employers haven’t been immune. Employers in Memphis aren’t strangers to lots of race discrimination charges and lawsuits. Does Cohen’s win mark a change for the community? One could argue–and hope–that it does. A large number of blacks seem to have said that the race of their leader doesn’t matter. The leader seems to have said that the race of his constituents (substitute employees) doesn’t matter. And that’s the way it should be.
Posted
on
Thursday, August 14th, 2008 at 7:49 am under
Your closing statement, “A large number of blacks seem to have said that the race of their leader doesn’t matter. The leader seems to have said that the race of his constituents (substitute employees) doesn’t matter. And that’s the way it should be.” says it all. Now, please, someone tell Obama.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:06 amWelllll… as a citizen of Memphis I hope you are correct that things are changing; but I am not holding my breath.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:23 amI have had dealings with the Fords through work and it was not pleasant. It is quite possible that the community finally realized the Ford family was not out to insure the best interest of the Black community but rather that of the Ford family.
One interesting note is how Cohen attempted to join the Black Caucus last year and they refused him.
Ritaanz,
I’ve had a few previous posts challenging Obama to walk the talk. He’ll have a number of opportunities during the next few months. What he does will be interesting.
Thanks for weighing in.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pmLinda,
As a citicizen of Memphis, you’re much closer to the situation there than I. I’m sure things are a bit more complicated than my post indicated, but I thought the Cohen win (by such a huge margin) was notable. Time will tell whether it really means anything.
Thanks for your thoughts.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pmHere is an interesting link to an article from Sunday’s Commercial Appeal. It discusses how the ‘race card’ was (unfotunately) played through the use of ads that associated Mr. Cohen with the KKK.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/aug/17/bailey-singed-tinker-toast-from-ad-fallout/
August 18th, 2008 at 10:02 amThanks for adding this, Linda. I think this is one of the ads that backfired on Cohen’s opponent. Trying to link Cohen to the KKK is too much of a stretch for anyone to take seriously.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:09 am