Comments on: Keith Butler Runs for Senate

By: kspence

kspence — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 11:53:05 +0000

I understand what you are saying David but disagree with it. He stands against rights for gays, and he stands against abortion. But on a number of economic policies he stands with black liberals. I would categorize him as a fiscal liberal, but a social conservative. This places him closer to the middle of the black electorate than to the tails. If I were back in Michigan voting, I would seriously think of voting for him in the primary–if it’s him and someone like Spencer Abraham? Easy pick, because he’s more prone to be interested in issues that black people are interested in.

But I’d never vote for him in the general election, because his slant on social issues would be more conservative than the other choice.

thanks for stopping by.

By: David Conrad

David Conrad — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 05:43:06 +0000

Butler is an extremely homophobic, rabidly anti-abortion, would-be theocrat. He’s the American Taliban and stands four-square against every liberal, progressive ideal championed by great Americans from Frederick Douglass to Dr. King to modern day political figures like John Conyers, Bobby Scott, and Sheila Jackson-Lee. If you asked Butler about James Baldwin he wouldn’t hesitate to say he is burning in hell, I have no doubt.

It will be a sad day for Michigan if he gets elected, but thankfully there’s no chance of that.

By: Krisna Best

Krisna Best — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 05:22:03 +0000

No doubt, I really appreciate that, especially coming from someone with a Ph.D.

I’m doing the college thing very slowly. Like, taking one internet class a semester. I don’t know if I’ll ever have a degree, but that would be a nice accomplishment.

However, I am going to keep writing regardless. I would really like to publish some of this stuff. I am certainly open to suggestions. I’ve never really done anything like that.

You’re right, it will come to a head. The hope is that white nationalism doesn’t win white folks over. I feel pretty positive that it won’t, but it is still a historical possibility. James is really dope to me because he gives me hope in the ability for people to make a better society, like what we did in the 30s and what Hungary did in the 50s and what Nepal is doing now. You know what I mean.

I’m going to continue to read your material. And again, I’m super hyped that you enjoy mine. Peace.

By: kspence

kspence — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:46:47 +0000

Thanks Krisna. What you do at Democracy and Hiphop is extremely rare. If you haven't already, once you've gotten a number of pieces under your belt, you all should publish the essays. But yeah, white workers have some things to deal with. I suspect it'll be coming to a head soon. One way or another.

By: Krisna Best

Krisna Best — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 01:26:35 +0000

Professor Spence,

I like the column. It’s solid. My boy Rob read it first and then turned me on to it.

You certainly pegged those competing tendencies happening not only in the minds of establishment politicians, but in those of working people.

If white workers continue to be won over on the basis of their skin color (and the privileges associated with that), they will keep the whole working class in permanent bondage.

White people need to see affirmative action as something that benefits ALL workers and that we cannot truly defeat [institutional] racism unless we institutionalize anti-racism (and discrimination towards women, the elderly, and physically handicapped).

I’m slightly off topic there, but it needs to be said regardless.

Again, great piece.