This week Donald Trump spoke at a National Association of Black Journalists Conference and said that Kamala Harris used to be Indian and now she says she’s Black. He went on to question, “So is she Indian or is she Black?” What I want to know is what difference does it make?
Trump, a man who once claimed that Obama was not born in the United States and that he was the founder of ISIS, this week claimed that Kamala Harris does not really like Jewish people. Oh wait, she is married to a Jewish man. Trump then dug himself an even deeper hole when he claimed that all undocumented migrants coming into the country are taking “Black” jobs—whatever that means.
I have grown weary of all these “dust ups” about race, gender identity, and more. Why don’t we just talk about the best person for the job? The best experience. The best judgment. The best platform to propel America in the right direction and not be so hung up on race, gender identity, and looks.
For decades no one complained when two white guys were on the same ticket, which was the case for most of my life. Now, it’s wait, you can’t have two women on the same ticket. Wait, you can’t have a woman and a gay guy on the same ticket. Wait, you can’t have two Black people on the same ticket. Wait, you can’t have a Black woman and a Jewish man on the same ticket. And now, thanks to the Republican VP Nominee J.D. Vance, we can also discriminate against childless “cat ladies” who, according to him, should not have an equal say in political decisions.
It is time to get over it. Here’s a concept. Let’s select the most qualified people to do the job, regardless of race, sex, or gender identity.
A case in point. Many of my friends have said that they wish Harris would select Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as her running mate. He has been in the military. He has been a mayor. He has had a cabinet post and thus has been on the national stage. And of equal importance, he is extremely articulate, quick on his feet, passionate about climate change, and resonates well with young voters. But then my friends go on to say, “It is not going to happen. We cannot have a woman—especially a Black woman—and a gay man on the ticket together. Not in this racist country. It is not going to work.”
Should you care if the candidate is a convicted felon? The answer is yes. Should you care if the candidate lies consistently, or is patently unqualified given his past experience? The answer is yes. Should you care if the candidate is sexist or racist, discriminates against other Americans, and makes demeaning and cruel remarks about his opponent? The answer is yes. Should you care if the candidate espouses different views than your own about women’s reproductive rights, income inequality, climate change, education, taxes, and other substantive issues? The answer is yes.
It feels like some candidates are working from a playbook that worked decades ago but is no longer valid. Many Americans have evolved. The fact that a candidate is gay, or Black, or Jewish, or Catholic isn’t an issue for them. Many Americans have close relatives who are gay or trans, or of mixed race, and they want to be sure that they have the same rights and respect as every other American.
It is time to challenge conventional wisdom. The whole argument that if we give marginalized people more power—more equality–we will lose what we have is bogus. A rising tide lifts all boats.
I am making a fervent plea that we strive to seek the best candidate for the position regardless of race, gender identity, or looks. Let’s try to do the right thing for America. It is way past time to put divisive politics, gender, and race issues aside, and work with all our might to elect the most qualified candidates. This is a complex country with many pressing issues. We need to elect the best candidates who will implement appropriate solutions for the problems of the day. We must ensure that America works towards becoming the best that it can be.
Civil rights icon John Lewis said it best when he said, “Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.”
We can do this. We can do better.
Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of the Federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, piano, bicycling, kayaking, and nature.
Karen Boldosser says
Amen, Sister!
Amy Carroll says
Well said.
Gail Doerr says
Beautifully written piece. If only it were this easy to have Americans see past the superficial and decisive and choose the most qualified candidate that aligns with their values. I do appreciate (and accept) the challenge and hope others will as well.
Susan Kemp says
BRAVA!!
Jay jenkins says
Brilliant
Marie Teat says
The past 4 years have been a disaster. Thanks to Biden undoing what Trump accomplished on the border has drastically increased dangerous drug smuggling, human trafficking, illegal aliens, etc. How can people not see this?
In regards to the most qualified people being hired, the current Adm is all about DEI. Look at the former President attempted assignation and the qualifications of the Dir of Secret Service, box checked off for DEI. There is no way she was the most qualified.
We experience daily the economy from the current Adm and how so many people are doing without basics because they can’t afford the rising costs of everything.
Hal De Bona says
Please tell us all why drug smuggling is flourishing. Could it possibly be the “demand” portion of the simple concept of supply and demand? Shutting down the boarder sounds good in theory, but I’m sure you know that the cartels will certainly discover new ways to satisfy the insatiable American demand for drugs.
Creston Cathcart says
Please send this to as many national papers for publication in their opinion pages, it’s a great eye opener!
John Fischer says
Reasonable arguments made here, particularly the multiple references suggesting we “select the most qualified person to do the job,” a well-deserved condemnation of DEI.
Anne Stalfort says
Terrific commentary.
Diane Tinney says
Agreed, well done.
Vickie Wilson says
Thanks. Well said
Michael Davis says
Thank you! It is refreshing that so many voices for reason and good are being raised here in the Talbot Spy.
Of course, there are going to be voices in opposition. Practically all of them condemn the current administration without having one word supporting the rapist, convicted criminal, racist, liar, degenerate who jokes of sexually assaulting women, wanna-be-dictator, heretic, and draft-dodging coward who heads the Republican party.
Leslie Steen says
Beautiful. Bravo. Keep it up.
Michael Pullen says
Thoughtful, well written and powerful. These ideals are both new and old, timeless yet urgent in this moment in history. Thank you for reminding us in this wonderful piece.
Susie Marlow says
This is piece is so on point and well written. I couldn’t agree more. We absolutely can do better – we must. The future of our country depends on it.
christine durham says
A great piece of journalism that perfectly describes our current political climate!
Carol Voyles says
THANK YOU!
Rob Douglass says
Great piece! Thank you for sharing your spot on comments! The Trump detractors have nothing to counter the last 3.5 years of economic growth, inflation reduction, job additions, economic stability and world stability. All the R’s have to counter is whining with no facts or tangible statistics.
Maria, nice try. Trump told his R allies to shutdown a bipartisan effort to strengthen the border via legislation because he would prefer to keep the border an “open issue” instead of solving the challenges there so he can benefit politically. Horrible! Self preservation and politics over country. Standard Trump behavior. All about him, not about the benefit to America and “We the People.”
Trump is horrible for America and doing nothing to solve problems like Biden and Harris have been doing for the last 3.5 years, only whining.
I look forward to when Kamala Harris will obliterate the felon nationally on the next debate if Trump has the guts to show up. Not a guarantee. The R’s love to play the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) card, pathetically, forgetting that America is not just a country of whites but a highly diverse country, with so many of diverse backgrounds who are amazing on their own and needing no top cover. Shame on you white, right wing, scared, sad, nationalists, who love to play the DEI card when you have nothing, absolutely nothing, to counter the tangible positive of a solid opponent.
Say it to her face Donald if you even show up to debate. Can’t wait for the prosecutor to take down the felon, hard!
Trump white nationalists are shaking in their sad boots.
Go Kamala! Go America!