The Treatment of the First African American female Nominee for Attorney General, Loretta Lynch
I called both of my senators today to find out whether they planned to vote to confirm Loretta Lynch for Attorney General. Senator Perdue’s office said “no” and there was no changing his mind. I held out hope that our senior Senator Isakson would be more thoughtful, after all former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said that he finds Loretta Lynch to be an extraordinary appointment. He said that she is more than qualified, she is “over qualified”. That’s what I call bipartisan support. Senator Isakson’s office was even more resolute in their rejection of this eminently qualified candidate. Now the press is reporting the senior senator from Georgia will vote no on the historic nomination of the first black woman Attorney General.
It was heartbreaking to hear that because of the politics of immigration this amazingly qualified woman would be rejected by both Georgia senators. Many white people really believe that it is not about race and that gender has nothing to do with it. They are wrong. Unfortunately it is about race and gender. The fact that her confirmation has been held up longer than all other nominees put together combined with the fact that she is a first makes it about gender and race. This is no coincidence.
I had to suffer through an explanation about human trafficking. Really! That never should have been an issue in the first place and has nothing to do with the nomination. Then to hear that the no vote would be blamed on immigration, amnesty or executive privilege, my mind was spinning. What will it take for a black woman to be treated like other nominees?
Loretta Lynch is clearly qualified. She earned the nomination of the President of the United States of America and unequivocal support from Mr. Law and Order. Together that makes Loretta Lynch beyond qualified. This is what made Ralph Ellison’s novel a classic. It is as though Black women are invisible. The fact that the nomination is historic and meaningful to black women all across this nation is just not important enough to merit consideration.
Why is Loretta Lynch a first? She definitely is not the first qualified. I am expected to accept that because I’m told it is not about race, that I am wrong. My vision is off, my lens is colored, I just don’t understand. Could it possibly be that as a black woman in America I might know what I’m talking about when it comes to race and gender? Could it be that the senators are missing the point, that their judgment is clouded, that they have not properly assessed the situation?
When I asked why had to wait longer than all other nominees put together to come up for a vote, that at this writing is yet to take place, I was told it is a coincidence that she is black, female and had to wait. Be patient I am told.
When I brought up her qualifications I was told yes she is qualified, but she expressed support for the President’s so called amnesty order and that alone must disqualify her. We all know that the matter will be decided in court and this woman has a history of enforcing all laws of the United States. Surely given her superior qualifications and exemplary service there must be something more than an opinion where great minds can disagree to disqualify her.
I fear that the truth is that my Senators simply cannot support a black woman for the position. They would rather vote on the wrong side of history than to treat Loretta Lynch in the same way that any man—black or white–would be treated.
Finally, dear Senators, who is in a better position to judge? Are you not a bit arrogant to suggest that history does not matter? A little short sighted to suggest that given the challenges that we confront in the area of justice that you can afford to reject the most qualified candidate in the nation? If you are so concerned about amnesty pass a comprehensive immigration bill into law. That way all that any attorney general would do is follow the law.
The GOP made Loretta Lynch a litmus test and my prayer is that the Senate does not fail the test. In the meantime I am wondering where are all of the immigration, human rights and women’s advocates?
Felicia Davis is the director of The Building Green Initiative and a member of the national Black Women’s Roundtable.
