After publishing Berry Craig’s story on Saturday’s rally in Paducah, we were contacted by Representatives Charles Booker and Attica Scott. They felt that the story was inaccurate in its portrayal of the rally and their purpose in participating.
While we stand by the story as published as being factually accurate, we thought it would be valuable and helpful to have their perspective on both the story and on the larger issue of race (and race and politics). So, we invited them to submit their own editorial responding to the story.
This is their article, which we are happy to publish. In addition, we hope to have further conversations with both of them to expand the discussion on race and racism. Be watching for those conversations in the future.
Herewith, then, the response from Reps. Attica Scott and Charles Booker:
On Saturday, we traveled to McCracken County, to meet with Kentuckians who are tired of being ignored by the current political process. We shared our own journey as Black elected officials fighting against corruption and inequity, and led them in a powerful rally focused on the power of voting. This was not about any particular candidate on the ballot, but more about reminding our neighbors that their voices matter.
The article published by Forward Kentucky did not portray that, and instead created an inaccurate narrative that we were there to dispel issues of racism in the Attorney General race. We were not.
Racism is very real. Racism is structural and systemic, and it touches every aspect of our lives. Too often, the conversation about race becomes a political football, leaving marginalized people further exploited. This article played right into that, and created another distraction from the conversations we really need to have across our Commonwealth – from the erasure of Black folks in Appalachia, to the dehumanization of immigrants by the legislature, to lack of people of color running for statewide
office on the Democratic ticket.
We are clear that the Office of Attorney General is critical to addressing structural racism and inequity – from fighting corporate greed that preys on our communities, to helping reform the judicial system, to standing up for the rights of all Kentuckians. That is the conversation we need to have.
In community,
Representative Attica Scott
Representative Charles Booker