French Should Denounce Racism, Reject Judge Appointment
Birmingham, Ala (August 27, 2010)— Judge Nicole "Nikki" Still is a victim of racism.
The Alabama Democratic Party's decision to appoint a black woman for fear that having an unopposed white woman on the ballot, would reduce voter turnout, is an insult that should enrage blacks everywhere.
To this end, the Jefferson County Chapter of Alabama New South Coalition calls for Elisabeth French to reject her recent appointment as the Democratic nominee for Circuit Court Judge, thus sending the message that she refuses to support racism and bias in any form.
Whenever any group of people gives in to the pressures of racism, we all lose. Now, we can't say that Elisabeth French won't perform remarkably as a Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge, but we do know one thing: She was a not a candidate for this post. She was simply chosen from a random pool of possible black women lawyers who work in Place 17.
Now, let us be clear, the call for French to reject this appointment has little to do with Judge Still. Yes, Alabama New South Coalition did, and continues to support Judge Still. However, this moment is so much larger than any one candidate. This is a call for us all to put aside our personal politics to address head on the issue of racism.
On August 26 in Montgomery, Elisabeth French received more than an appointment to be the democratic nominee, but also an opportunity— an opportunity to speak out against racism in all of its forms.
If she chooses the opportunity, and uses it to denounce racism, she could set forth a series of activity that has the potential to make her larger than the office she wishes to hold. Not only would the Democratic Party win, but also the communities that represent Place 17. And even more, she wins, as she would demonstrate a courage and independence the likes only akin to champions of righteousness known throughout history.
If she declines the opportunity, we all lose. Furthermore, she sends the message that she approves of the practice of racism when it is beneficial for protected classes of which she is a member.
For the sake of Civil Rights champions every where, we pray she rises to the challenge before her. Alabama New South Coalition crusaders for Civil Rights, such as Attorney's J. L. Chestnut, Michael Figures and Hank Sanders braved the pressures of their peers, attack dogs, water hoses and acts of intimidation to accomplish one aim— destroying the practice of racism and segregation. They did not fight in hopes of one day being able to acquire the tools of the oppressor, so that we might one day be in a position to act out in racist ways.
Setting a precedent for bypassing the democratic process when it is convenient for accommodating race, ethnicity or national origin is a dangerous practice, and will do more to harm the Democratic Party than anyone could possibly imagine. This move to appoint French, and ignore the 45% of voters who support Judge Still because she is white, not only tears into the fabric of our democracy, but also destroys a people's faith in the political process.
Now, Joe Reed, Joe Turnham and John Rogers no longer need to concern themselves with how many people will show up to the polls, but must now move to retain democrats thinking of fleeing the Democratic Party after such a blatant show of racism.
Our greatest fear is not that racism is alive and well, but that African-American voters have arrived at a place where they approve of the practice.
Let's see if Elisabeth French proves us wrong by rejecting an appointment that was motivated in part, or wholly, by bias. I hope, for the sake of a people, she decides to do just that.
I'm just a white person, but I know some of the rhetoric I heard at that meeting on Thursday left me deeply disturbed. If a Republican had been saying those things we would have been so all over them for racism, favoritism and so forth. You can see some key portions of the meeting in the video below the fold, and make up your own mind about whether we've come full circle to the point where we aren't concerned with equal justice, but with making sure we're the ones on top.
