It was more than four years ago that the nation’s new Attorney General, Eric Holder, declared that America was “a nation of cowards” who “simply do not talk enough with each other about things racial.” You could have fooled us, but apparently we’re still not talking about race enough. In the wake of the George Zimmerman verdict, CNN’s Brooke Baldwin is just curious: is now the time for President Obama to take the lead in a national conversation on race?
It’s a bit of a loaded question. Why the president? CNN contributor Donna Brazile’s not waiting around.
For starters, with the current racial and political polarization, why do we need someone else to start a conversation? We must start it!
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) July 16, 2013
@donnabrazile Start the convo and have a REAL conversation about it, not just babbling at each other with no intention of change.
— Alma S (@attilasgirl) July 16, 2013
https://twitter.com/blkbtrfly75/status/357206902238748672
Of course, “national conversation” probably means the same thing it did when America had its national conversation on guns: promote liberal legislation, and when that fails to materialize, wait a week and say it’s time for another national conversation. So, is now the time for President Obama to step up and heal the nation’s racial divisions?
https://twitter.com/prisonculture/status/357204857200971777
https://twitter.com/drrhymemd/status/357209227049189376
— bronco (@bronc1013) July 16, 2013
@BrookeBCNN @donnabrazile No we don't we need #jobs #jobs #jobs
— Frankjg_jr (@frankjg_jr) July 16, 2013
@BrookeBCNN No. I think the more appropriate question is why now? Zimmerman's trial, tragic as the outcome was, is commonplace. #CNN
— Still Loading (@thedarkerbrotha) July 16, 2013
https://twitter.com/Murder_City_XXX/status/357228152222777345
@BrookeBCNN @donnabrazile no, we should start our own conversations. I am a black woman.
— Mariposa (@SparkleNLace) July 16, 2013
https://twitter.com/MaxxZimonick/status/357208121183178752
I dont want a teachable moment…I dont want a National Conversation…I want people working full time and do something abt the debt
— LaurieAnn ??♂️? (@mooshakins) July 16, 2013
@BrookeBCNN You are kidding right?? He and Holder are incapable of intellectual honesty on any subject remotely connected to race.
— Conservativ American (@JustConservativ) July 16, 2013
https://twitter.com/TheShawnPitre/status/357215281245995008
@BrookeBCNN @donnabrazile No. POTUS is trying to run a country. Please don't put greater expectations on his shoulders than on a white prez.
— BookGirl6 (@Bookgirl6) July 16, 2013
Hell no. The Guy has a country to run! RT @BrookeBCNN: should Pres Obama lead a national conversation on race? #CNN #justcurious
— Dang: The Last Earbender (@MightyJFury) July 16, 2013
You could always talk to this guy.
https://twitter.com/GregoryD305/status/357227800069029888
Here’s a dissenting vote we didn’t expect.
@BrookeBCNN wants to know if #BarackObama should lead the conversation on race? My answer. No. Focus on jobs and opportunity for all.
— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) July 16, 2013
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