Thanks for Commenting
I applaud Bill Richardson's honesty.
I think you're just so used to being lied to by Heather Wilson and George Bush. I'd rather have the truth myself.
Mario,
Got to take you to task for the use of the word "race" in the article. Fact is, Hispanics are Caucasian just like the Spanish, the Italians and the Irish. It's not a racial difference, its ethnic. So the guv's comments would be like some guy in NVC claiming ethnic solidarity with italians because he's italian. I won't speak to whether its right or wrong, but its not unusual and not racist.
Wikipedia definition of "race:" A race is a distinct population of humans distinguished in some way from other humans. The most widely observed races are those based on skin color, facial features, ancestry, and genetics. Conceptions of race, as well as specific racial groupings, are often controversial due to their impact on social identity hence identity politics.
Wikipedia definition of "ethnicity:"An ethnic group is a group of people who identify with one another, or are so identified by others, on the basis of a boundary that distinguishes them from other groups. This boundary may take any of a number of forms -- racial, cultural, linguistic, economic, religious, political -- and may be more or less porous. Because of this boundary, members of an ethnic group are often presumed to be culturally or biologically similar, although this is not in fact necessarily the case.
Kevin, I don't mind being taken to task, but I think you're over simplifying when you are trying to define all Hispanics as Caucasian. I'll give you that some Hispanics qualify as Caucasion; however, many others do not.
The bottom line is at the very least Governor Richardson was factoring in race in arriving at a decision. And, in a world which strives to be color blind, this strikes me as showing a racial preference, which in and of itself is a form of racism.
Mario,
I'm not impressed with your use of Wikipedia. It is not rigorous, being an at large, contributory, essentially social litmus of what goes for current knowledge. You should have chosen something better... to wit:
Funk & Wagnalls Standard desk dictionary "Race (n) 1. One of the major zoological subdivisions of mankind, regarded as having a common origin and exhibiting a relatively constant set of physical traits, such as pigmentation, hair form and bodily proportions."
Websters New World dictionary, college edition "Race (n) 1. any of the major biological divisions of mankind, distinquished by color and texture of hair, color of skin and eyes, stature, bodily proportions, etc."
Wikipedia is indicative of todays trend toward sloppy knowledge and socially accepted thinking being accepted for fact. As a blogger, you do know the truth about the internet, right? Just because it's on the net doesn't make it a true fact.
I stand by my statement that Richardsons comments were of the ethnic variety and not racial. And not unusual. It's a piddly distinction, but accurate nonetheless. Not that I'd vote for the man any time soon, mind you.
And just for purposes of clarity.... UNM 1980 BA History and Republican since 1975.
"...an at large, contributory, essentially social litmus of what goes for current knowledge..."
Hmm, not sure that is a bad thing. Knowledge, socially accepted norms and word meanings/usage are changing at an unprecedented pace. As a former history major, I'm sure you can appreciated that.
I just realized the election has already been held. Were you allowed to vote? What is the status of your membership to the Central Committee?
Yes, I was ultimately allowed to vote. All is right with the world.
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