December 17, 2002
Gemini papers:
Trent Lott
by Bill Sylvester/William Sylvester
Bill:
Trent Lott, on his first apology, said that we have to watch every word we say—meaning that his real feelings might come out. He also said that he has made mistakes.
[Jean interrupts: He has never said he was wrong.]
William:
Don't hide behind our wife, Bill. Who cares about how he feels? Or what he has done? We have had enough of teary-eyed liberals, who feel right and do nothing.
Back in the days when people were proposing a boycott of South Africa, Andrew Young said to a panel of African Americans that we have to be more sophisticated than that. From his own experience he had gone directly to presidents and boards of corporations who had the power to open up employment.
And they did.
What will Trent Lott do?
He could go down home and find some local burning hot issue, and take a stand. He could hire some African American consultant (or more than one). He could make some proposal at a national level.
Does he realize what a powerful position he is in right now? He has proven to his local voters that he is one of them. "But look at the pressure I'm under," he can say or imply to his constituents. "You know I'm one of yours, but I've got to prove that I'm not"
And if he proposes a program to prove he's not a racist, look at the pressure the Republicans would be under. He could make them an offer they couldn't refuse.
Will he say something specific?
Not bloody likely.