Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: Biden's answer on 'repairing the legacy of slavery' and 'inequality in schools and race' [View all]BlueWI
(1,736 posts)on how Biden should be vetted for his views on race as a presidential candidate?
Unkindly attack? Biden is running for the highest elective office, and there's a lot at stake, including a resurgence of racism thanks to the Trump campaign and presidency. This is no time for non-answers.
There are black communities that lack access to grocery stores, amid shortages of housing, lack of safety and employment, and limited educational opportunity. Being Obama's former VP is all well and good, but what about policy solutions? What successes can Biden point to that indicate his ability to continue progress? He had 8 years with Obama to build a record - where specifically, did he contribute to the administration's effort to address issues regarding race? What the heck - mention Arne Duncan and Race to the Top, something. Biden was a part of the administration, and this is the best he can do?
Biden's language simply needs to come up to a 2019 standard. This answer had too much generalizing about what needs to happen in black families - plenty of black families make time for reading to their children and have advanced verbal acuity. Why improvise an answer that pushes forth stereotypes and non-solutions? Sure, it would be great to raise teacher pay - if you can find enough teachers. There's an exodus of teachers from rural schools and some urban communities. Is Biden's answer referencing new federal investments in teacher compensation? Districts are strapped where I'm from - if there's no dollars behind Biden's answer, teacher pay raises ain't happening.
If this question comes up again, Biden is better off simply saying that the issue is complex and communities deserve real solutions, not analysis of previous statements. Deflection would be better than off the cuff, off-point generalities.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided