Institutionalized racism

When was the last time you heard an electable candidate for national office talk about institutionalized racism? Well, you can now. Read a transcript of Howard Dean’s remarks at Cooper Union in NYC. I think he’s right, that we won’t be able to even begin to heal, until we face the pain and anguish of institutionalized racism in this country. And when I say “we,” I mean most specifically people who carry white skin privilege. All others have had little choice but to face that pain already. I think Constance Rice’s letter is also important. She’s a civil rights attorney asking Howard Dean to “stand firm.” I don’t agree with everything that Dean does, but I have great respect for a man who’s been able to turn this mediated flap into an opportunity to call for more dialogue about institutionalized racism. I hope you’ll consider supporting him.