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Civil Rights Group Seeks Kerry Apology
WASHINGTON - The head of a civil rights and legal services advocacy group wants Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) to apologize for saying he wouldn't be upset if he could be known as the second black president.
"John Kerry is not a black man — he is a privileged white man who has no idea what it is in this country to be a poor white in this country, let alone a black man," said Paula Diane Harris, founder of the Andrew Young National Center for Social Change.
Last week, Kerry told the American Urban Radio Network: "President Clinton (news - web sites) was often known as the first black president. I wouldn't be upset if I could earn the right to be the second."
Kerry's spokesman Chad Clanton said: "This was intended as a light-natured remark about President Clinton's strong legacy with African Americans It is a legacy that John Kerry would like to build upon if elected president. John Kerry has a record of fighting for civil rights and as president he will continue this fight."
Harris also criticized civil rights leaders who "sit back and ignore these types of comments, a practice that further insults African Americans."
"It seems that all these leaders care about is their personal agendas in how a 'John Kerry' will keep up their personal causes," she said.
The Andrew Young National Center for Social Change, based in Harrisburg, Pa., provides legal services to the poor.
"John Kerry is not a black man — he is a privileged white man who has no idea what it is in this country to be a poor white in this country, let alone a black man," said Paula Diane Harris, founder of the Andrew Young National Center for Social Change.
Last week, Kerry told the American Urban Radio Network: "President Clinton (news - web sites) was often known as the first black president. I wouldn't be upset if I could earn the right to be the second."
Kerry's spokesman Chad Clanton said: "This was intended as a light-natured remark about President Clinton's strong legacy with African Americans It is a legacy that John Kerry would like to build upon if elected president. John Kerry has a record of fighting for civil rights and as president he will continue this fight."
Harris also criticized civil rights leaders who "sit back and ignore these types of comments, a practice that further insults African Americans."
"It seems that all these leaders care about is their personal agendas in how a 'John Kerry' will keep up their personal causes," she said.
The Andrew Young National Center for Social Change, based in Harrisburg, Pa., provides legal services to the poor.
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