Once again we are reminded that this is not yet post-racial America.
St. Petersburg Mayoral candidate Kathleen Ford may be off-putting and even churlish at times. But racist? Hardly.
Here’s what just passed for a highly-publicized “racial slur” controversy last week in St. Pete. Ford was responding to radio talk show host Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, who had just criticized Deputy Mayor Goliath Davis, who is black. Clem labeled Davis a “quasi-leader” of the African-Americans. Ford responded with a reference to African-American Professor Cornel West’s “HNIC” theory. That stands for “Head Negro In Charge,” and it refers to certain black leaders posing as THE self-anointed voices of the black community.
Ford underscored that she doesn’t disagree with West. She also doesn’t think much of “one-spokesman-for-a-group” dynamics.
And then the shinola hit the fan. And that’s because not everyone referencing HNIC says “Negro.” And not Nubian either. But THE “N” word. The one rap songs venerate.
Criticize Ford for going on Bubba the Love Sponge’s shock-jock show, but not for racism. And, frankly, give her ironic credit for knowing enough of what Cornel West has addressed to be able to apply it to St. Petersburg.
And one final incongruity. State Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, told the St. Petersburg Times that he believes Ford “regrets any misinterpretation of the meaning.”
To be sure. But shouldn’t the misinterpreters regret it even more?