A lot of times where this comes up in the African-American community has been the notion of, well, he hasnt just said this is racist, or he hasnt just called out what somebody did, or he hasnt specifically talked about why the African American community as opposed to poor folks or middle-class folks generally need help, and hasnt targeted enough the racial problems in this country. And Ive answered that publicly as well, which is I am the President of all people, and if I pass legislation that is boosting their income tax credit for low-income workers, I know by definition that African Americans will be disproportionately helped by that.
The notion that I would describe that as a bill targeting African-Americans not only does not get help it get passed, but it also then ignores all the white folks who are also struggling, and all the Hispanic folks who are also struggling. And my job is to build coalitions of like-minded people who care about the same issues I care about.
When it comes to issues of racial justice around that are very specific around criminal justice, whether its Trayvon or Ferguson or other circumstances, I have been very forward-leaning, with the exception that I have not commented on active investigations or potential prosecutions. The reason for that is not because Im self-editing, the reason is the formal role I have. Eric Holder is my boss or I am Eric Holders boss. The prosecutors who are investigating the cases report to Eric Holder, and if it looks like Im putting thumbs on the scale, that can have an adverse impact on the resolution of these cases.
Edit history
Please
sign in to view edit histories.
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):