Carson’s Comments
Although my relationship with 75-percent of the Marion County Democratic Party is strained at best, I have always had a good relationship with 7th District Congressman Andre Carson. We almost became relatives through marriage a few years ago. And we are even disliked by personally by the same Democratic County Chairman. So while a lot of people are quick to jump on him for recent comments, I take a more measured response.
As someone who still gets paid to talk on occasion I can appreciate being somewhere, giving a speech, getting caught up in the moment and saying something you shouldn’t. Heck, that’s my daily life as a married man. However, when you do catch yourself saying something stupid, apologize and move on. I hope someone on Carson’s staff is giving him that advice.
As you are aware by now in a recent speech in Miami, Carson accused members of the tea party of wanting to treat Blacks as “second-class citizens” and want to see us “hanging from a tree”. Strong language no doubt. What is most disturbing is that earlier this year Carson called for, and I agreed, for toning down some of the rhetoric in the national dialogue. He told my colleagues at RTV 6…
“I think we have to recognize that we’re all fellow human beings, one, and that we have philosophical differences, but those differences have to be met with some kind of civility.”
He made his remarks in the wake of the shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Carson went on to say…
“It’s unacceptable whether you’re Democratic or Republican. We have to sit down and see how we can come together and debate and critique each other with civility, with respect and with honor.”
I expect the race card from some of Carson’s fellow Marion County Democrats because that’s all they know how to do. And it’s sad that some of them excuse the Congressman’s words by saying he’s just reflecting the thoughts of his community. I guess that means the next time a white Congressman takes the stage and refers to poor blacks on government assistance as ghetto porch monkeys on welfare, we can excuse that too as just reflecting the will of his constituents. We wouldn’t accept those comments, nor should we accept Carson’s. Hopefully, the voters will demand better from him.
