Odessa78
07-03-2012, 04:23 PM
Congressman Hansen Clarke, D-13th District, was forced into an unusual position Wednesday, responding to allegations that he’s masquerading as black to get votes.
Clarke is running for the newly redrawn 14th Congressional District, which includes Detroit, against two black women, Mary Waters and Brenda Lawrence, plus white men state Rep. Gary Peters and newcomer Bob Costello. Clarke joined one debate this election, a digital debate for CBSDetroit, then said he would no longer debate because the racial rhetoric was becoming overwhelming.
A robocall allegedly went on in the district this week saying Clarke is “not black.” And Waters told the Detroit Free Press she’s the only black Detroiter in the race.
A visibly upset Clarke called Talk Radio 1270 host Charlie Langton to discuss the race issue live, and talked about the issue again at a Detroit church appearance.
“Who really gives a care right now?,” Clarke told Langton. “My opponents are so desperate they can’t attack me based on what we’re doing, based on my record, so they’re going after my poor deceased parents who have been dead for 30 years.”
Opponents have pointed out that Clarke’s mother’s death certificate lists her race as white, though Clarke describes himself as “multiracial” with a light-skinned black mother and Indian father.
Congressman Accused Of ‘Playing Black’ Says Racism Destroying Detroit « CBS Detroit (http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/07/03/congressman-accused-of-playing-black-says-racism-destroying-detroit/)
Clarke is running for the newly redrawn 14th Congressional District, which includes Detroit, against two black women, Mary Waters and Brenda Lawrence, plus white men state Rep. Gary Peters and newcomer Bob Costello. Clarke joined one debate this election, a digital debate for CBSDetroit, then said he would no longer debate because the racial rhetoric was becoming overwhelming.
A robocall allegedly went on in the district this week saying Clarke is “not black.” And Waters told the Detroit Free Press she’s the only black Detroiter in the race.
A visibly upset Clarke called Talk Radio 1270 host Charlie Langton to discuss the race issue live, and talked about the issue again at a Detroit church appearance.
“Who really gives a care right now?,” Clarke told Langton. “My opponents are so desperate they can’t attack me based on what we’re doing, based on my record, so they’re going after my poor deceased parents who have been dead for 30 years.”
Opponents have pointed out that Clarke’s mother’s death certificate lists her race as white, though Clarke describes himself as “multiracial” with a light-skinned black mother and Indian father.
Congressman Accused Of ‘Playing Black’ Says Racism Destroying Detroit « CBS Detroit (http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/07/03/congressman-accused-of-playing-black-says-racism-destroying-detroit/)