Dear Editor:
As elected officials in Hudson County, we would like to take this opportunity to respond to the negative racial undercurrents the struggle over County Executive has taken in recent weeks. Particularly, we find glib assertions of racial prejudice made by certain political leaders about Congressman Menendez as being both irresponsible and counterproductive.
While we recognize the need for fruitful political debate and constructive dialogue, we find the usage of the “race-card” to be very limiting and destructive to the health and well-being of our respective communities. While race baiting does nothing to advance a constructive agenda that will improve the quality of life for our constituencies, those that would self-servingly use such a tactic erroneously presume its effectiveness. We find such an approach irresponsible because it threatens the very coalition of communities that help get the Mayor of Jersey City elected.
If Congressman Menendez is going to be opposed he should be opposed based on principles not pigmentation. Criticisms should be aimed at his failures as a Congressman to represent the best interest of our community, not whether or not he maintains a racial quota system. This type of racial reasoning is faulty because it leads people of color down an unprincipled slope of supporting someone based on the color of their skin and not the agendas they advance. This is exactly why the appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court was so brilliant; he was black, yet extremely conservative. Most African-American leaders and others were hard pressed to oppose his candidacy, even though Mr. Thomas could have been challenged based on the mediocrity of his record.
If Congressman Menendez does not deserve to represent the people of Hudson County, then how can he be Vice Presidential material? The answer is simple. Congressman Menendez has been able to accomplish many things for Hudson County. He has been effective at building broad-based multi-cultural coalitions that have been instrumental in securing resources for our residents. Our communities are only productive when they work together, form coalitions, and embrace a progressive agenda. Let that being our guiding principle, not the unfair appeal to racial prejudices.
Ruben Ramos, Jr., Councilman-At-Large
Christopher Campos, Fourth Ward Councilman
Carmelo G. Garcia, State Democratic Committee Member