The Elephant in the Room

People are pussy-footing around the topic of race in this presidential election. Here in Madison, it is surely possible to run into an otherwise solid Democrat who will not vote for Barack Obama because he is black (well, half-black). Possible, but rare. In other parts of the state, and country, it is far more likely. But we pretend it does not really work that way here in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, right?

That is what makes this video of AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka so important. This video needs to go viral, needs to be seen by millions. Then, after those millions have seen it, they need to talk to their buddy, Joe or Jane Sixpack, and get this message to them. I don't think it is important how you feel about unions or the labor movement. This message is about race. Watch it:



Now, talk to people about it. Pass it on. Then vote. And as a parting thought, just recall that the McCain campaign inferred that Obama is the anti-Christ.