There are few greater disservices to the fight for racial justice than false claims of racism. For example, the Jussie Smollet hoax that he was a victim of a hate crime advanced the right-wing racist narrative that claims of racial injustice in America are meritless and that those who claim racial injustices are just “playing the race card.”
PUSD Board Member Michelle Richardson Bailey put out a press release last Thursday accusing Pat Amsbry, the opponent in her quest for reelection, of racism for his mailer titled “Before you vote compare the candidates for Pasadena Unified School Board.” Her press release makes a false claim of racism that undermines the struggle for racial justice.
I scrutinized Ms. Richardson Bailey’s press release for any support for her claim of racism, but the only thing in it that arguably supports the claim is her assertion that “Amsbry singles out the ONLY African American on the PUSD Board.” I don’t know what universe Ms. Richardson Bailey’s head is in if she thinks it is racist simply because her opponent criticizes her. An opposing candidate always “singles out” his or her opponent for criticism. Does Ms. Richardson Bailey seriously think it is racist for Mr. Amsbry to single her out? The only thing arguably racist in her “singling out” phrase is the claim that it is racist for Pat Amsbry to criticize her record as a PUSD Board member.
Ms. Richardson Bailey’s press release asserts there are “racist undertones” to Mr. Amsbry’s mailer. The...
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