Wednesday's Democratic debate will be the first time the majority of participants aren't white
For the first time in presidential campaign history, the majority of the candidates on Wednesday night's debate stage in Detroit won't be white, Politico reports. That's all the more impressive considering the crowded stage will consist of 10 candidates.
Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who are black, will be joined by former Housing Secretary Julián Castro, the only Latino in the race, as well as Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), and entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who are of Pacific Islander and Asian descent, respectively.
Politico reports that the "timing couldn't be more striking," as the Democratic Party is currently undergoing an internal reckoning as its members examine the party's role in implementing policies that have historically contributed to racial inequality in American society. Racial identity could very well end up being discussed at length during Wednesday's debate.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Former Rep. Bakari Sellers (D-S.C.), whose father worked on Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign in 1988, said that the 2020 primaries, with their emphasis on race, are an example of Jackson's efforts coming to fruition. "Black voters are no longer allowing you to give lip service, are no longer allowing you to do photo-ops or show up at the church the weekend before," Sellers said. "There's a lot of parallels to '88 and what Jesse attempted to do." Read more at Politico.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 24, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - taped bananas, flying monkeys, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published