Joe Biden’s compromises helped pave the way for Civil Rights. Politics is the art of compromise. Our only hope as a liberal democracy under the Constitution is to find the humanity that abides in all of us and work with that (despite the sheer evil that some might spew.) Demonizing is polarizing. That is not to say you should validate racism but rather try to work through it. Real dialogue can only happen in a civil discourse which is Biden’s point.
Biden had supported “voluntary” busing which is backed by community support, rather than a coercive, forced busing universal mandate which only hardened racial battle lines. Karmala Harris was backed by the support of her city council in her integration efforts as a child which in turn was backed by organizations determined to work to support integration.
Biden had been Harris’s mentor and strongly backed her candidacy for Senate once Barbara Boxer declined to run again. What you saw in Biden during the 2020 debate was the shock and sorrow of betrayal.
Harris’ victory came by smearing someone she had a close relationship with. Biden is too much of a diplomat and gentleman to strike back. A lesser man would have.
Can Biden and Harris make amends? Based on their latest comments. I suspect they will. And perhaps the bite of her attack will jar him back into a fighting mode. But expect him to fight fair…with dignity and honor. Old fashioned? Perhaps, but it’s soothing to the soul… and the only path to a sane and just society.
Genevieve Fraser
Orange