For anyone observing the recent Presidential debates and forums across the country, race and poverty are no longer taboo subjects for Democrats vying for the White House. As I mentioned yesterday, Earl Ofari Hutchinson, author, syndicated columnist, political analyst and commentator, is promoting his latest book The Ethnic Presidency, How Race Decides the Race to the White House.

The Ethnic Presidency looks how racial and ethnic conflict has openly and covertly played a crucial role the past three decades in influencing, shaping and ultimately deciding who bags the world’s biggest political prize, the White House. Hutchinson believes that racial politics will play an even bigger role in the 2008 presidential election and future election.

I had the opportunity to conduct a blog interview with Mr. Hutchinson and his responses to my questions were as follows:

1. In your new and last book you look at how racial and ethnic factors come into play in political races, how do you think this will play out in the 2008 presidential election?

Race already has played a role. The two questions that the media has been obsessed with are “Is America ready for a black president?” and “Will Latinos vote for a black candidate?” Both suggest that race and ethnicity are deeply imprinted in the thinking of the media and by extension the thinking of many voters. Even those that feel they have to add “we have no problem voting for an African-American.” Also, the rap against Obama is he lacks experience, that could be a subtle way of saying he lacks competence to deal with the big ticket public policy issues.

2. Obama seems particularly interested in capturing the Latino voter, but it seems he is having some problem because of this allegedly lingering tension between Latinos and African Americans. However, in 1988, when Jesse Jackson also ran for President, it seems he was able to make major inroads. What are the major difference between the two?

Obama makes no overt appeals to Latinos on issues of immigration and health care. Jackson did. Obama is relatively unknown to Latino voters. Jackson was well known through his rainbow coalition organizing efforts. Finally, the tensions and conflict over immigration, numbers, and political power between blacks and Latinos has sharpened in some quarters in the past decade.

3. If Obama were to win the nomination and if you were part of his campaign team, what advice would you give him so he could bridge the Latino and African-American communities together?

Spend time in the Latino communities. Learn some Spanish. Talk about health care and immigration reform. Cultivate the support and confidence of Latino community leaders and elected officials.


I like to thank Earl Ofari Hutchinson for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer these questions. These are indeed exciting times. Even though the topic of race may not be as taboo as it was in past, we still have a long way to go in addressing the inequities that exist in our country. The message being told by both candidates is clear. It is a call to bring about change and hope in America. However, we must stay vigilant and make sure we are not being sold on false “hope” by either candidate.

FOR MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON, VISIT HIS VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR WEBSITE.

TO ORDER YOUR COPY, VISIT ETHNICPRESIDENCY.COM

Related posts

• Earl Ofari Hutchinson Returns (1)
• The Words We Use: The Rhetoric of Race (13)
• The Latino Challenge to Black America: Q & A With Earl Ofari Hutchinson (3)
• The Latino Challenge to Black America (6)
• Revisting The Words We Use: The Rhetoric of Race (1)

Tags: African Americans, Barack Obama, Democrats, Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Latinos-as, primary election, racial politics, virtual book tour |  Print This Post |
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