Attorney General Eric Holder in his remarks given to the Department of Justice in recognition of Black History Month said the following:
Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards. Though race related issues continue to occupy a significant portion of our political discussion, and though there remain many unresolved racial issues in this nation, we, average Americans, simply do not talk enough with each other about race. It is an issue we have never been at ease with and given our nation’s history this is in some ways understandable. And yet, if we are to make progress in this area we must feel comfortable enough with one another, and tolerant enough of each other, to have frank conversations about the racial matters that continue to divide us. But we must do more- and we in this room bear a special responsibility. Through its work and through its example this Department of Justice, as long as I am here, must – and will – lead the nation to the “new birth of freedom” so long ago promised by our greatest President. This is our duty and our solemn obligation.
(HT: Politico)
I understand that we still have racial issues to work out. But can we acknowledge that we’ve come a long way? To say we are “nation of cowards” on race relations when we have our first African-American President and first African-American Attorney General seems ridiculous. In the last administration we had, I believe our first African-American Secretary of Education, and then our first African-American Secretary of State. Isn’t that progress?
Michelle Malkin states, that perhaps the Obama administration needs to get its house in order before comments like these are made – they don’t really want a dialogue, they just want the rest of us to shut up.
National Review – what’s objectionable… let us count the ways… not to mention we’ve been talking about race relations – a lot.
Michael Goldfarb asks remember the fuss when Phil Gramm called us a nation of whiners? That wasn’t as bad as this. At least Gramm’s statement was true.
Robert, let us know how you really feel on this topic. I’d quote him, but I’ve got to keep this blog family friendly :).
The main thing is we’re talking. We’re making progress. Can’t we celebrate progress that has been made, and realize too that it needs to be a multi-faceted, not just one way. Besides, Holder likely owes his job to such cowardice.