AFRO-Americ@: Community Discussions

Each week, we post a topic for open discussion. Read on and give it some thought. Then when you're ready to add your voice to the dialogue, give us everything you've got.

Week of 1/30/98: How would the Clinton scandal be different if Monica Lewinsky were African-American?

Submit Date: 30 OCT 1998
Submit Date: 18 DEC 1998
Name: lagale brown
Email: "la.g.brown-1@ou.edu
Response: Jeanine saids that if Monica was black he would never lay a hand on her. Jeanine said that if Monica was black she would not have any play. I have a friend from AK who knows that Bill has some Black girlfrineds and a few children just like Jefferson. GO figure. Being African American is not a turn off but a magnetic force that lured millions for years. To have some omn attack my ancestorial beauty is an outrage. Even Julius Caesar love Cleopatra whio was of African decent.

Name: Sonia Baker
Email: "http://yunteh@hotmail.comm
Response: The fact is, if Monica were an African American, the accusation would have been ignored. Nevertheless, this accusataton reeks every bit of a trap gone bad. For example, if you had sexual relations with a married man of his status, would not you cover your tracks more, unless you were planning from the get go to profit from this affair. Although I don't condone him for being so weak minded, I think she and others planned to trap him from the begining of that affair. Therefore, this matter I leave in the hands of his wife. Furthermore, I don't think this incident has anything to do with his ability to run the country. It's just another pile of mud slung by the republicans.

Name: Jeannine Pettigrew
Email: jpettigr@mwn.com
Response: If Ms. Lewinsky were an African-American, President Clinton probably would have never laid a hand on her.

Name: bonitapplebaum
Email: wanderingstar23@hotmail.com
Response: Bill Clinton's affairs go way back to when he was governer of AK where he had his minions act as his pimp. If his wife has no problem with his shagging other women, then who are we to pass judgement. That is their relationship. Why do we allow ourselves to be distacted by nonsense as things in this world are going downhill fast??? Recognize who is manufacturing these stories

Name: shelley wood
Email: mrw2@hotmail.com
Response: If Ms. Lewinski were an African American?!! If she were, the issue would never have come to light. Our present "society" would not have believed this coming from a black woman and would have instantaneously dismissed her allegations. No investigation, no scandal.

Name:
Email: zion00@hotmail.com
Response: I couldn't care less about what Clinton does in the White house as long as he doesn't but a tax on it and force feed it to the masses. Furthermore, if Monica was Black the Clinton Presidency would be a dead issue. He would be impeached at marathon speed. We would barely remember his run for Arkansas governor.

Name: Ben "Halisi"
Email: halisi@community.net
Response: It troubles to think that news agencies have the power to distract us from the important issues facing us all. Ms. Lewinsky and Bubba are an example of how we can focus unsolicited attention on people who have all the privilege and power. I could care less if he F...... her. What value is it for me to know that and if she were African American i would feel the same way. Remember we have had other " national leaders" who kept other women. In fact I think most men keep those kind of secrets about other relationships they have had. When will we realize that when men and women come together there will be a natural affinity for some of them to have sex. Those who do not will give it some thought. The whole thing is another typical example of the media and religious zealots attempting to dictate who, when, and how people in this country ought to have sexual relationships. Remember there are antiquated laws on the books in many states that aim to do this. Lastly, I want to say that the African American community has to transcend this type of hype and continue to educate itself about the real life threatening problems needing our attention. Ben "Halisi"

Name:
Email: PITTBUL@webtv.net
Response: Some of you have said it doesn't matter, and what the President does is his business--that it is between him and his wife. I have three questions for you: Would you hire a thief as an accountant, to handle your money? Would you hire a rapist to baby-sit your daughter? Would you invite a serial killer to your picnic? I think not to all of those questions. Why then would you want an [alleged] "play-boy skirt chaser" for a President? Being white doesn't excuse him from infidelity--in the White House!!! Everything he does there, we all have the right to question. This is the highest office man can attain in America. It demands impeccable qualities from he who dwells within. He is there to run the country--not run after women! suppose he was an African-American Man-- having an affair with a white woman....

Name: shamia k, holloway
Email: hollo2.com
Response: I think that the situation would have received more media attention, more so than it has already received. The fact that Clinton would even consider a black women is unthinkable in America's eyes. His punishment and the public's scrutiny would have been much more harsh.

Name: Frances Murphy
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: Wow! You really went way out on this one! Why not ask if Clinton was Black and Monica was White then how would one feel? Or, if both were Black? Yes, race makes a difference but....... What disturbs me is that all these questions have an underlying assumption that Monica is telling the truth. I doubt it and that is another discussion.

Name: NBAILEY
Email: NBAILEY@MARTHASTEWART.COM
Response: WE WOULD NOT HAVE HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THAT'S BECAUSE WE NEVER DO. BLACK WOMEN ARE SEXUALLY HARRASSED MORE OFTEN THAN NOT AND ITS NEVER IN THE MEDIA UNLESS IT INVOLVES A BLACK MAN.

Name: Luiz Souza
Email: LSouza47@aol.com
Response: There are two points of view in this situation that I would like to express. The first one is that that situation should be resolved between closed doors and not the way it is going now. The second point is that if she was a black woman lots of people would be surprised to the fact that she was black, but would serve as another motive for them not to be racist, and acept a black person as any other person, but I think lots of black people that disapprove of this present situation with the President now, would see it in another way, if Monica was a black person.They would take that as a compliment, just because the President chose a black woman for mistress, instead of a white woman. It would make them feel good about it.

Name: Prophet
Email: kgary@.sunset.olemiss.edu
Response: I don't really have an opinion on this subject. I guess if Ms. Lewinsky were African-American the issue of race would become a part of this scandal. It would probably do more damage to the President and I don't think that the American public would be as forgiving toward him.

Name:
Email: PITTBUL@webtv.net
Response: This question is very relevant for Today's Reality. This is where Humanity has been traveling since it's inception. I want everyone reading this to Remember when The Slave Master forced African Women into His Bed at night; As a result of that FILTHY CARNALITY, Our ANCESTRAL MOTHERS were CRIMINALLY VIOLATED!! SO, It's very believable that a White President, or any other WHITE, very Definitely wants Our Beautiful African-American Women. Because of Her Regal, and Majestic Position [Being the Mother of the Human Race] No Other Woman can Compare! So I Reiterate; It would be Chaos among the White Race if--Monica Lewinsky was African-American!!! _LDAWG_ LISTEN UP! You Better Go Back To Slavery, Apologize For It, Give Me My Forty Acres and A Mule, Throw in Reparation, and Work Your way back [Through The Centuries] Until You Are Once Again in the 'NOW-REALITY' and Learn About 'YOURSELF'--'WHITE BOY' YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY HERE......

Name: John Bruno
Email: jab173@edu.com
Response: I really do not think it would make much of a difference if she was Afro-American because adultry is adultry no matter what color you are.

Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net; Solomon@memrain.org
Response: Unfortunately in this forum, I have read a tendency of some respondents to indulge in "cussing out Whitey." I suppose it feels good, but it doesn't really address or solve any problems. It is also hypocritical to do unto others that which we condemn when it is done to us. It is wrong, we have said, to stereotype a whole race of people. If that is so, we should refrain from doing this ourselves. If there are specific people, organizations, etc., engaged in racism or discrimination, let us speak of these. "Races" do not commit hate crimes, individual people and groups do. Let us concentrate on our own responsibilities and stop using "the White man" as an excuse. "He who has ears, let him hear."

Name: Taylor
Email: rfordgoucher.edu
Response: Although I think that this is a good idea - having the community speak out on their opinions on current topics - I must agree that this question doesn't seem very relevant. I don't think much about the current situation would be different if Ms. Lewinsky was Black. It seems that other questions could be more revealing of what people think about the current crisis. For example: "Why have Americans seemingly contradicted themselves in polls, stating that they do believe Pres. Clinton is lying (or at least hiding something) and at the same time giving him the highest approval rating of his presidency? Are we now drawing a line between personal activities and professional responsibilities?" Or what about the roll the press has played in this? "What do people think about the press reporting information that was not known to be true - the tapes that everyone in the press was quoting but that no one but a few Newsweek reporters and the actual participants had actually heard?" These are just two of a great many questions that could be asked about this event and the way it impacts how we view our current political and media institutions.

Name: michele lovett
Email: g8madatu
Response: If monica were Black, Mrs. Clinton would not have Bill's back. In other words, the first lady would not stand by her man. Needless to say, Bill without Hillary, is like a human without oxygen. In short, Clinton's Presidency would be OVER if monica's skin was black and beautiful!!

Name: Jessica
Email:
Response: I feel that the President's marital affairs are no business of the american public. The American public is reacting as if it were their husband that was dishonest. It would only add insult to injury if she were African American. The public would make it so much more than what it is and it would end up becoming a black/white issue rather than an issue of marital infidelity.

Name: LDAWG
Email:
Response: First, what a STUPID question!! Next if I, as a "WHITE BOY", were to say the things that "pittbul" writes, I would be known as a RACIST. Hey "pittbul" you want to talk about a double standard. That little scenario you just wrote about is made up in your head, and look at the "anger" it conjured up inside of you. GET HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Besides, you don't have it that tough, you're typing on a computer on the internet. I know alot of disadvantaged "whitey's" and blacks who would love to afford a computer. Start to focus on reality and not your imaginary troubles.

Name:
Email: bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu
Response: Whitefolks would be disgusted that the president would have a Black lover when he had a "respectable" white woman at home waiting for him, just like when Hugh Grant was found to be having an affair with a Black prostitute, while he had some famous model, who is beautiful by THEIR standards, as a girlfriend.

Name: Solomon Landers
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: Somehow, I just don't think matters would have worked out this way if an African American woman were involved. I can't quite imagine this unsophisticated state of affairs with a Sister in the first place. I believe Mr. Clinton, president or not, would have been politely discouraged; the Lewinsky matter was trashy, and Sisters don't take no trash! Having said that, I don't think the race of the person matters at all to those determined to force the president out of office. There would still be a full-court press for his ouster on their part.

Name:
Email: PITTBUL@webtv.net
Response: If Monica Lewinsky had been African-American? Pick a point of the Compass!! It would be quite Difficult to Chart A True Course in this imagined [Sexual?] Circus... The 'White Boys' would be 'SALIVATING [Slobbering on Themselves]. The White Gals would be 'FUMING' [Irritated and Angry]. His Wife would be throwing a Perpetual HISSY FIT. THE WHITE RACE--Being what it is--They Would FLASHBACK TO O.J.!!! AND THEN, This [poor] African-American Woman would be in DEEP Trouble; She would have to FLEE FOR HER LIFE! BUT WAIT, The White Male Would Save Her...After All, WHITE BOYS LOVE 'A-A' WOMEN, [Hate The Men--But Love The Women]... It Would Be A Hell Of A Mess! [Hope I Would Not Have To Go There And RIOT!!!!!]....

Name: M.George
Email: 101MGeorge Pima.East.EDU
Response: I Think if Ms. Lewinsky were an African-American, the story would not have gotten such national attention.It would have been breifly mentioned, NOT TO MENTION, the story would have been "unbelievable". Not one person would believe her, and comedians eveywhere would have a field day.