Date: Thu, 9 Nov 2000 07:31:49 -0800 (PST)
From: K. Jackson
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
I am interested to know what TMA thinks about the candidates for President, in terms of how they would be positive or negative for the Multiracial/Interracial community. I have been a community and political activist for about 15 years, and I have seen positive IR/Multiracial issues play out very well during the years of Sr. Bush’s reign (late 80’s-early 90’s). I have also seen moves toward the negative under the current administration (no challenges to the status quo on the census). I am not a partisan person, I actually am a third party member, but I realize that one candidate will emerge from the Uni-party (Republicrats) and I wish to know what their stances are on Multi-racial/Interracial community.
Editor: Politically I identify as a libertarian and only support candidates who respect individual rights. In recent years the Democrats have moved to quash the “multiracial” self-identification movement and Republicans have been indifferent or in favor of it. This reversal of tolerance on the Democrat’s part was very interesting to observe. Many in our community are still in denial as to it even happening.
It is my belief that Bush may be indifferent to our issues, as he has not had a lot of reason to care otherwise. Gore however, would not hesitate to defer to the NAACP’s judgement on any issue concerning our community.
I believe that neither Gore or Bush would be especially bad for our community, due to the fact that the 107th Congress will not be dominated by either party. Republicans will control it, but they will have to work with Democrats in order to get things done. At the very worst, things could stay exactly as they are. I see no loss of ground with regard to our community with either man in the White House. There may, however, be no progress on the executive level with regard to ending our national obsession with boxing people into categories. Depending on who Gore or Bush nominates for the Supreme Court would also be something to consider in this area. Gore cannot go far to the left and Bush cannot go far to the right if their nominees have any hope of making it past the Senate. Either man would most likely nominate individuals with more moderate views. I know Bush has said he would nominate “strict constructionists.” He still has to get these nominees past a Senate that may very well end up 50-50 after the Senate races in Missouri and Washington are decided. Personally, I would prefer candidates who have read the Constitution and respect the Bill of Rights.
On a separate note, I believe that government should get out of the racial classification business altogether and support Representative Ron Paul’s efforts to end government involvement in racial classification, to include the Census.
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 08:54:52 -0800 (PST)
From: K. Jackson
Subject: Letter to the Editor
Thanks so much for the most intelligent answer to my question. I too see both as being no major difference on the issue, however, don’t see Gore as much of a friend to our cause. Bush has at least personal experience with Interracial families(his brother is married to a Mexican American woman). Also on the Supreme Court, a strict constructionist doesn’t mean an opponent to IR/Multiracial issues. Clarence Thomas is in an IR marriage and one of the two most conservative of justices.
The NAACP, like the NABSW, are counterprogressive to our movement. Their agenda is racial seperation and anti-integration. We must become allies with those closest to our cause, indifference is better than being totally ignored. As a Greens member, I know Bush is far away on alot of issues for progressive movements, however, liberals and hypocritical democrats will seek to crush the voices of progressive movements–like IR/Multiracial community.
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 08:42:14 -0800 (PST)
From: K. Jackson
Subject: Letter to the Editor
It is over, the election and it’s following fiasco, is over. And thank the Lord, Gore didn’t win. This is the opportunity for progressives, liberals and activists to gear up to make real issues of equality, unions, globalization, multiracial/Interracial relations, environment, hate and racism. The arrogance and liberal hogwash defeated, we can push for building a voice for the real progressive issues and perhaps make the democrats accountable for what they say. I am happy and awake and hit the ground running on my activism for multiracial dialogue, racial reconciliation and an fighting the liberal democratic bigots over transracial adoption.
Thank you Multiracial Activist for all that you do and are to me, my family and my community.