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StumbleReid has stood by African-Americans
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 | 2 a.m.
Should you judge a friend by one errant comment, or by 50 years of devotion?
Republicans would have you believe that we should abandon Sen. Harry Reid for a poor choice of words, for one regrettable comment. But to us, a person — or a senator — who has worked by our side and for our cause for decades has earned our support in hard times as well as easy ones.
After all, Sen. Reid has been there, standing by the African-American community, when we needed him most.
Sen. Reid regrets his remark about race. He has apologized to President Barack Obama, and the president has accepted that apology. If the president is willing to say the “book is closed” on this issue, we are, too.
Why? Because we know from Sen. Reid’s efforts to promote diversity on the Las Vegas Strip and across the country that he is a supporter of the African-American community.
Sen. Reid worked side by side with us to integrate the Strip and the gaming industry in the ’70s. He backed affirmative action in federal contracting and was a vocal critic of the Supreme Court’s ruling against cities’ efforts to diversify their schools, which flew in the face of its Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Sen. Reid also recommended the nomination of the first African-American and first woman to serve on the federal bench in Nevada and the first African-American woman to serve on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
And in Washington, Sen. Reid partnered with Howard University to form an internship program that encourages young people of color to get interested in public service and combat what has been called a “dearth of diversity” in congressional staffs.
But even more important is Sen. Reid’s work on behalf of all Americans to improve the economy, stem the tide of foreclosures and pass health insurance reform that will ensure access to affordable care for all. Since a disproportionate number of African-Americans are affected by poverty, predatory lending and lack of access to medical care, these programs are examples of how Sen. Reid has always delivered for our community.
Nevada needs Sen. Reid working on our behalf in Washington now more than ever.
And while Republicans want to take advantage of this situation for political gain, their cries of racism ring hollow. After all, the first Republicans to call on the senator to resign have consistently voted against the interests of African-Americans, whether that meant voting against a minimum wage increase or community policing or efforts to make college more affordable.
Sen. Reid, on the other hand, has consistently earned A’s from the NAACP for a voting record that shows he stands up for African-Americans when they need him most.
Republicans who were quick to judge Sen. Reid should think twice. After all, we’ve all said something foolish at one time or another. We have all made mistakes.
And it’s then that one’s record speaks for us. That’s why we’re standing up for the man and the senator who has always stood up for us.
Hannah Brown, Verla Davis Hoggard and Ruby Duncan are longtime civil rights activists in Nevada. Hannah Brown is president of the Las Vegas chapter of 100 Black Women.
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I think it is funny that this letter/column is very weak in describing actual things that Reid has done for blacks. There is only one vague actual reference with no supporting evidence.
Reid is A-OK.
So what if he would have had a problem with Obama if he was darker or spoke with negro dialect. We can overlook that.
He is A-OK because he came out released a letter in support of Nevada's Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage and voted for DOMA and has not push for DOMA overturn or for Obama to rescind Don't Ask Don't Tell. Both the light skin Obama and Reid are against gay marriage anyway and believe that each state should determine its laws on the matter.
He is a swell guy that Reid dude.
Reid has done about as much damage to Nevada and the nation that he can do. He's done in November anyways. Goodbye Dirty Harry
What's said or done in the dark eventually comes to light. This was no simple, innocent mistake by Reid. It's the perfect alignment of Reid's mouth with his heart and head. Think it, feel it, say it. Get real. Reid has been there for the African-American community for political reasons. And the three people who wrote this commentary have their political reasons for standing by Reid now because they'll get their payback later.
great letter, Senator Reid has a record like none other on civil rights.
Quote from the writer: "Nevada needs Sen. Reid working on our behalf in Washington now more than ever."
So, does that mean he'll be starting soon?
Reid is a disgrace. After making that remark he should have resigned. Trent Lott has to resign. Oh I forgot about the double standard. Reid reminds me of that drunk Jew hater Mel Gibson, making hateful remarks and than saying I'm sorry.
The simple fact is reid and pelosi both need to go. They no longer believe they are accountable to the one's who put them in office. The majority don't want or care for there policies.This is a country of the people, by the people and for the people.