“All human beings are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
However, the equality so dear to our neighbors to the south was only obtained at the cost of a long, sometimes violent, road full of pitfalls for black slaves, women, and First Nations.
Is this long struggle over? Over the past few days, two influential Black men whose journeys have been inspiring have disagreed on this issue.
Obama protests and Scott responded
The stings between the two men began with an interview Obama conducted with his former advisor, David Axelrod Podcast ax files.
The 44th President lamented that minority candidates within the Republican Party generally neglect to point out what is wrong with minorities and more specifically with the black community.
With little diversity among the Republican candidates, Scott, the only black Republican senator and the only black candidate in his 2024 lineup, felt challenged by this Obama statement: “No, we can’t just ignore all of that and pretend that if everything were equal and fair.”
Senator Scott responded first by saying of his personal success story: “Here’s what people need to know: The truth of my life refutes the lies of the radical left.”
It is true that his story is inspiring and that after his childhood spent in poverty, he was able to climb to the top through his hard work and talent.
Yet this ascent remains difficult for all lower-class Americans and almost unthinkable if you were born black. Obama and Scott are the exception, not the rule.
Need more Tim Scott
When he offers compensation to the first black president in history, Tim Scott isn’t dishonest, but he can’t say it all. Why? His party limits him.
No, it is not censored, but the policies and strategies of its formation are detrimental to the black community. The notable presence of the far right does not help matters.
However, if you look, Tim Scott has repeatedly admitted that he has been a victim of discrimination, and in the Senate, he is the moral safeguard for his colleagues on the racial question. It is his responsibility to avoid major slippage.
Limited in scope. Therefore, Scott chose to highlight three aspects in his response to Obama. His personal history, criticism of the radical left (he’s not wrong!) and respect for his interlocutor.
Despite their disagreement, I couldn’t help but notice the two men’s respect for one another. I found myself dreaming of less heated and more tactful discussions.
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