Hate is in the Eye of the Beholder

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich finally responded to critics over the controversy ripping apart the state's anti-discrimination and hate crimes panel, mainly by saying little or nothing at all about just what he intends to do towards restoring unity to the commission.

"What's happened at this commission raises a much bigger challenge that all of us have, and that is to try to bring communities and people together," he said in Bolingbrook after an event touting his $3.2 billion road and school construction proposal. "I am personally going to be involved, and I am personally going to make sure we do everything we can to bring people together."

The dirty little secret about the panel is that it is a largely insignificant body intended to pay feel good lip service through nebulous, vaguely defined terms like "dialogue" and "reaching out to communities." Reconstituted after Blagojevich took office in 2003, the panel has met in full only two times, and the governor remained completely unaware a Nation of Islam representative had been named to the commission until informed by the media well after the original two resignations by Jewish commissioners. Very belatedly responding to Louis Farrakhan's remarks, the governor stated:

"I condemn what Minister Farrakhan said . . . They were anti-Semitic remarks. They were hateful and they were harmful, but I don't believe in guilt by association. . . . Ms. Muhammad has expressed in a very open way her commitment to continue to work on the mission of the hate crimes commission."

Now, I'm fairly sure I wouldn't wish Fred Phelps anywhere near an anti-discrimination panel. Furthermore, I wouldn't trust any member of his "church" to represent him. Similarly, the Nation of Islam is notorious for anti-semitic and anti-gay remarks. This is absolutely indisputable. There is little justifying the presence of a commissioner who cannot make even a cursory repudiation of Farrakhan's bigoted statements.

Why does Blagojevich continue to defend the Nation of Islam representative? Because this Democratic governor, facing an uncertain re-election battle against a socially moderate Republican this fall, fears one thing and one thing only in this controversy - his black constituency.

It isn't polite to speak of, but Chicago has a rich history of anti-semitism among some black political leaders. Former U.S Representative Gus Savage blamed Jews for orchestrating his defeat. Steve Cokely, an aide to former Chicago mayor Eugene Sawyer, posited that Jewish doctors routinely infected black babies with HIV. Cokely later began a long association with the Nation of Islam that continues to this day. And let us never forget, Chicago is home and headquarters for Jessie "Jaimetown" Jackson. These are a few among a depressing number.

There is a virulent strain of this abhorrent attitude that has long simmered in the undercurrents of Chicago politics. In the present controversy, some local black politicians and their allies have made it known under no uncertain terms that removing the Nation of Islam representative from the panel would be seen as an affront to the African-American community. According to this gay.com story:

The Rev. Michael Pfleger, the white pastor of a mostly black Chicago church and a friend of Muhammad's, said Blagojevich would generate enormous anger if he removed Muhammad from the commission. "If you are not willing to stand up in difficult times, don't pretend to be a supporter of black issues, of the black community," Pfleger said. "Now is a test for him."

How is it a "black issue" to defend an organization that regularly demonizes Jews and homosexuals?

Unfortunately, that is exactly what this has become, which is why Blagojevich is reticent to take any action at all. It is far better to mutter generalizations about diversity, tolerance, and understanding than to stand and forcefully state that no organization that regularly peddles in hatred and intolerance is welcome on a panel whose sole purpose is to eliminate it.

By sheer demographic reality, the governor fully expects Jewish and gay activists to sit down and take the Nation of Islam's presence on the commission. There are more black voters in Illinois, especially in the Democratic stronghold of Chicago. Blagojevich will need those constituents should his shaky administration face a close decision this November against a Republican opponent who has a substantial chance of wooing moderate voters.

If Jews and gays must be offered up on the altar of racial demagoguery, so be it. It is a small price to pay for a second term and a possible future run at the presidency, no matter how dim that distant light becomes in the shadow of controversy.

Comments

[Myackie]

I wonder which group has a higher percentage of voters?

[Robbie]

The city proper is about 37% black, 10% gay, and 2-3% Jewish according to 2000 census figures.

What's important, though, is that most counties outside the Chicago area are Republican. Democratic turnout in the city and surrounding area is absolutely key to Democratic victories in state-wide races. If the governor gets into a huge mess with the black community this close to an election, he'd be in trouble.

[Malcontent]

Another profile in political cowardice, not unlike Schwarzenegger vetoing the gay-marriage bill.

[North Dallas Thirty]

Um, not quite the same, Mal.

Schwarzenegger was given a bill to sign that:

a) directly amended and contradicted a voter-approved proposition, which is a violation of the California Constitution

b) was under current litigation

Sure, we all wish he'd signed the bill. But at the same time, let's at least be smart enough to acknowledge that there were good reasons other than the attitudes of homophobes for not doing it. Moreover, let's realize how foolish it makes us look when we hyperventilate over how awful and evil Arnie was for not signing it when, bare months earlier, we were cheering as "pro-gay" and "gay-supportive" John Kerry's attempts to not only ban gay marriage, but invalidate it where it already exists via state constitutional amendment and tossing millions of dollars at him to promote said view.

Blagojevich, on the other hand, has no such limitations. Moreover, unlike Arnie, the gay community actually pushes him as "pro-gay" and "gay-supportive".

Arnie is an example of someone who knows gays aren't going to vote for him and will criticize him because he's a Republican, but tries to do the best he can by them. Blagojevich, though, is an example of someone who knows gays will vote for him and not criticize him regardless of what he does because he's a Democrat, and he treats them with the contempt they deserve for it.

[Tulip]

not being gay or black, but rather white, high income and female, i will not be voting for Rod Blagojevich. he has lost the respect of many like me, as well, for failing to stand up for what's right no matter the cost. creating a dilineation between Farrakhan and Muhammad is a red herring. she absolutely is accountable for the remarks of Farrakhan; she has a duty to at least speak out against them, but she won't.

it is wrong to turn this into a "black issue", as the black community now seems to be doing---it is a hate issue and a human decency issue. it doesn't matter what color or orientation i am: i can see that more than clearly, and believe me, i'm going to vote accordingly.

Jesse Jackson Jr. recently stood next to Claypool in a news conference, but would not out-and-out endorse him over John Stroger, because, i assume, he is reticent to offend black voters (Stroger is black and Claypool is white). it makes no sense to me. you either like Claypool or you don't, you can either say it or not. don't just stand there with your mouth closed. that's as far as a "reputable" black leader will go to follow his conscience in our town, i'm afraid.

this whole thing makes me irate.

the sooner Blagojevich is gone, the better.

[Jamie]

You may have a point here, Robbie, but I have a little problem equating those who simply adhere to a religion with those who actually run it, Fred Phelps notwithstanding. And I do believe the Nation of Islam is treated by its followers like a religion.

[Robbie]

Like I said, Jamie, imagine the governor appointing someone from the Westboro Church to the panel.

It's roughly the same thing.

I'm not saying ban Islam from the panel. Just this particular sect. They cheerfully engage in homophobia and anti-semitism as a matter of course, and they don't apologize for it.

The commission, Claudette Muhammad, is an aide to Farrakhan, if I'm remembering correctly. So, she does have some hand in running things.