Wilkerson Supporters Get Racist

Things are getting nasty in the Chang-Diaz/Wilkerson state senate race.

Chang-Diaz upset Sen. Wilkerson in the primary by a narrow 228 votes. Wilkerson asked for a recount, but the total remained the same in the predominantly black and Hispanic voting district.

Some of Wilkerson’s most outspoken supporters, including City Councilor Chuck Turner, are questioning Chang-Diaz’s race and her commitment to the community.

Turner told local blog PolitickerMA.com that Chang-Diaz’s support comes from liberal white women, saying the base is “part of the national group that thought Barack Obama getting the nomination was depriving white women everywhere of something they deserve to have.”

Turner also said that Chang-Diaz replacing Wilkerson means the district is losing a “treasured resource” and the district “needs someone in the Senate that really understands what our needs are.” Translation: they need a black representative.

Why is it that whenever a black politician loses, the reason behind loss becomes a racial issue? And who can we thank for that? Racists like Chuck Turner, of course. Could you imagine the uproar if a white person won over Wilkerson? Chuck Turner needs to realize that the district that, as he puts it, is losing a “treasured [black] resource,” is the same district that voted out that “treasured [black] resource”–the same treasured resource who has had problems with paying taxes.

Another Dianne Wilkerson supporter, METCO Dir. Jean McGuire told a Dorchester reporter, “This is the first time in a long time we will not have a senator who is a person of color. There are white Hispanics and black Hispanics and she is not a person of color.”

Chang-Diaz’s campaign manager says it’s a shame the race has become an issue in the campaign, adding that there’s no question about the candidate’s Latina heritage.

I guess it is official…the METCO director is saying that race is a qualification for political office. Only candidates who truly represent the constituents based on their race deserve–no–they are entitled to be elected…

…if they are a black, of course.

Aaron Margolis is a life long resident of the Bay State, and works at an architectural firm north of Boston. Aaron has a Master of Architecture Degree from Boston Architectural College and is currently in the process of becoming of a Registered Architect.