I’m sure that everyone has heard of the fall from grace of New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer. He has officially resigned from that post, and effective Monday, March 17, 2008, Lt. Governor David A. Paterson will assume the office.
Much has been made of Gov. Paterson. He is the first African-American to serve as governor of New York, and only the 4th Black governor in U.S. history. He is also the first legally blind governor in the history of this country, but the second person with a disability to serve as governor of New York (the first was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who went on to serve 31/2 terms as president).
Of course, people in the Blind community in particular are very excited about Gov. Paterson, as are many African-Americans. I have mixed feelings. As an African American, I am very proud that he is our new governor. Many White folks, particulary in the local Rochester blogosphere are tiring of hearing of the fact that he is African American. To those brothers and sisters, I would say this: I know that you are getting tired of the Black this, and African American that. Put yourselves in our shoes, though. When most of what you hear about your race is about how some Black guy killed someone, or how Black people don’t fare well in school, or some stupidity involving so-called African American leaders, or how a huge percent of Black men are in jail, prison, or the criminal justice system, or other negativity about African Americans on and on, ad infinitum ad nauseum, it is refreshing and uplifting to hear something positive for a change. Though slavery is long dead, and we are slowly “overcoming”, if you will, there is still inherent and systemic racism that makes it difficult for us to achieve the American Dream. I am by no means advocating a victim mentality, or a “blame the White folks” mentality for the fact that many African Americans still experience major disparities between Whites in many area. I am a firm believer in hard work and perseverance, along with tenacity and much sacrifice, but I also know the realities of life in a society that still judges a person by the color of their skin, rather than the content of his or her character. I’ll never give up, but sometimes, the struggle can be hard!
Also, as a person with a disability, I am proud of Governor Paterson. I, too, am legally blind from birth, so I am aware of the struggles that he has had to endure. I know what it is like to have people doubt your intellectual capabilities, or even your own worth simply because of your disabilities. I know what it is like to have people see you as helpless, or act as if you’re Hercules, or some great hero or superbeing when the only thing that you have done is something ordinary — what they would take for granted.
On the other hand, I have this feeling of “whatever” about Gov. Paterson. I mean, he has not really come strongly about any disability issue other than accessible voting. I know that he is into stem cell research, but to me, that suggests wanting a cure for disability. Just because he is a person with a disability doesn’t mean that he will be a natural ally. We’ll have to work with him and educate him. Hopefully, it won’t be too hard of a task.
Good points, R.A.
It is an emotion-laden conflict I feel as well. Happy to see an African American meet this level of achievement– sorry for the circumstances it is under.
But as a mother of two African American males, tired of all the negative images in the media about people who look like my sons, I definitely say
YIPPEEE KAY YEAH!!
Welcome, Arlene!
You’ve made some good points too. I long for the day however, when the skin color and disability of a lawmaker or any public figure will mean nothing.