"The surge — if I may use that word — occurred in direct correlation to the way that campaign had been ratcheted up," said Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the House Majority Whip who has not endorsed a candidate. "Those of us who live in the South especially, we know the code words when we hear them and we understand the tone. People felt some of that was going on and they reacted to it in a very bitter way."
I think that all people of color can relate to this on a personal level. We all have a white friend who slipped up and said something fucked up and racist, usually unintentionally, not realizing that it was racist. The more cynical among us expect all of our white friends to do it, sooner or later.
When it happens, you might say something, or you might not. You might forgive them, or not. You might even stay friends. But you'll never forget it. No matter what they do or say in the future, you remember that on some level, they know that they're white and you're not, and that they're well aware of all the privilege that goes with that fact.
On a recent episode of The Colbert Report, Debra Dickerson said that she never forgave Clinton for his Sister Souljah moment. The newest generation of politically active people of color will likely never forgive him or Hillary for their recent shameful tactics. However they chose to vote, people of color will have to think long and hard before casting a ballot for their white friend.
