Harry Reid In Hot Water

Nevada Senator Harry Reid came under fire this weekend for remarks that he made during the 2008 presidential campaign. The remarks will appear in a new book being released tomorrow by journalist Mark Halperin and John Heilemann titled Game Change.

Reid was referring to the electability of then-Senator Obama when he called Obama "light-skinned," with "no Negro dialect." Reid believed that the country was willing to embrace a African-American.

Since the remarks were made public, reaction has been very mixed. Reid immediately apologized, while many Republicans called for his resignation and compared his remarks to those made by former Senator Trent Lott, who endorsed the segregationist presidential candidate Strom Thurmond, in 2002. Many liberals and African-American activist have said that the remarks, while awkward, are not offensive, only typical of a certain viewpoint held by many Americans that African-Americans who are light-skinned and "act white" are favorable to dark-skinned ones who speak with a "dialect." Obama has said that he is not offended by the comments, and his attorney general Eric Holder, who is also African-American, said, "He is a good man and has done an awful lot in his leadership position to advance the right of people of color in this country."

Eric Holder is a important figure in this discussion, and not only because he is the first African-American attorney general. Shortly after being confirmed, Holder said that the United States is "essentially a nation of cowards," when it comes to open and honest discussions on race. And that is what the "conservatives" don't understand about this issue. When Trent Lott endorsed the Thurmond, he also endorses decades of votes, made by Thurmond and himself, that have systematically limited the opportunities of all minorities in this country. Reid, on the other hand, has a record of supporting rights for all peoples, demonstrated by his support from the NAACP. Most people, if they are being honest with themselves, will tell you that Reid's comments are probably accurate. This nation is not about to elect 50 Cent. By chastising Reid, Republicans are dumbing down what should be an important discussion that this country needs to have. Should Reid step-down as leader, if not resign? Well, those are questions that only Harry Reid can answer. In the meantime, all Americans need to check their attitudes in mirror, and decide if they are accepting of other races only if they follow a stereotype that we already approve of.