US Senate Candidate Donna Edwards (African-American) Speaks about Universal Candidacy

[qwlauren35]

Last edited Tue Mar 15, 2016, 03:25 PM - Edit history (1)

I had an opportunity to attend a presentation put together by Donna’s sorority sisters of Zeta Phi Beta. Having heard Donna speak many times, I did not take a notebook. I am kicking myself.

Zeta Phi Beta is a black sorority and Donna spoke to the crowd. She spoke about black women's health and how the number one killer of black women is heart disease. She spoke about wage issues and how black women make 65 cents on the dollar to white men, and Latina women even less. She spoke about Social Security and how raising the eligibility age screws black men, with their shorter life expectancies. And she talked about how when people "mess up" and end up in jail, they need education to keep them off the streets and out of jail a second time, and this is why she supports Pell Grants for inmates. But one thing stuck in my mind, and that is the question I asked about universal candidacy.

When I was campaigning a few weeks ago, a man in the group said that Donna is perceived as a woman's candidate, a black candidate. So, last night I asked her to talk about her universal candidacy and how to present her to men, especially white men.

Here's what she gave me:

When Donna fights for family issues, she’s fighting for breadwinners of both genders, across racial lines, who struggle to make ends meet, who choose which bills to pay, who cough up huge sums for daycare, who may need a sick day, who can’t survive on today’s minimum wage, or worse still, today’s tip wage. Parents who want their children to have opportunities, like college, high school graduates who need to be able to learn a skill and go out and get a job without a degree. Young professionals who need to get out from the weight of student debt. As someone who has been a breadwinner, she understands financial priorities, she understands being the rock of the family. So, instead of focusing on the “single mom” label, focus on the “breadwinner” label and see how what she wants for Marylanders, and the American people, rings true for all of the 99%.

And of course, feel free to donate to the campaign if you wish: https://donnaedwardsforsenate.com

[jwirr]

1. I sent Donna $10 this month and I really like what she is

talking about. I hope she wins.

[qwlauren35]

2. One of the reasons I posted this

was to show what black candidates talk about to black audiences. How many candidates know the statistics on black women's heart health? Or black men's mortality rates? And link these things to politics? Donna also talked about how "environmental justice" for Marylanders goes beyond issues of the Chesapeake Bay and looks at (surprise) water purity, lead in paint, fresh vegetables and fruit access in cities. Something I hadn't thought of.

She's got depth! But more importantly, when she speaks on issues that are "hot" for African-Americans, they also touch Americans in general. They just hit us harder.

[qwlauren35]

3. A mother's perspective.

One of the things that Donna did when she first got into office was to secure free dinners for disadvantaged children, a program that Maryland had been eligible for, but had never signed up for. As a non-mother, the significance of this goes right past me, but when I see other mothers in the audience, I see them nodding, and understanding. Experience shapes perspective. Donna is a mom, she sees the importance of kids eating dinner. She sees the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children, and she does it, because that's part of her perspective.

So, in direct contrast to the OP, I point out that having a woman, a mother, in a political position of power, such as Congress or the Senate, is game changing. And that's why we need more of them.

[burrowowl]

4. K&R!!!!!!