Rice laments lack of black diplomats

Breitbart ^ | September 8, 2008

[reaganaut1]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday it was "unacceptable" that there were so few black people like herself in the US diplomatic corps. "I want to see a Foreign Service that looks as if black Americans are part of this great country," Rice told a gathering of black colleges and universities in Washington.

"I have lamented that I can go into a meeting at the Department of State," said Rice, the second black person to become secretary of state after her predecessor Colin Powell.

"And, as a matter of fact, I can go into a whole day of meetings at the Department of State and actually rarely see somebody who looks like me, and that's just not acceptable," she added.

She said she has been working with black Congressman Charles Rangel to target students at schools with large numbers of blacks, according to a State Department transcript of her speech.

"I've been working hard to double the number of Rangel Fellows... to interest them in foreign affairs when they are young, to give them the training and support to learn languages and to learn about the world, and then to go out into that world to be a part of the great global debate, challenge and difficulty, too, that we face in the international system," she said.

[reaganaut1]

Diplomats should not be chosen on the basis of race. Having said that, Rice could strengthen the case for more black diplomats by doing a better job herself.

[bestintxas]

Race, race, race. Why are people continously upset and place us in boxes with labels?

Rice should be glad we have Americans that are capable beside her.

[metmom]

I job like that demands qualifications, not racial balancing.

It’s not the kind of job you can afford to fill according to affirmative action.

[longtermmemmory]

rice has been a HUGE dissappointment.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

They are all working as community organizers...there’s apparently a lot more money in that field than in government service.

[kabar]

If they can’t pass the written test and oral interview, why should they be selected? The Foreign Service should be a meritocracy just like the NFL and NBA, Condi.

[ClearCase_guy]

I can't say anything about the diplomatic ranks, but from what I see, a whole of blacks are employed by government. I live in a very white area but every time I go to a government office, I end up talking to a black man or woman.

Personally, I think encouraging blacks to aim for careers as government flunkies is not giving them good advice. Being a business owner, being an engineer, being a craftsman -- these are all solid careers that establish strong, independent lives. Looking to government for your paycheck is not what blacks need to do.

[littlehouse36]

I hope Washington isn’t doing to Condi what Harvard did for Barack and Michelle — made them a bitter minority.

[cowboyway]

rarely see somebody who looks like me, and that's just not acceptable," she added.

I'm so glad that racism is dead in America....................

[reagan_fanatic]

We should never base someone’s qualifications on their skin color, Condi. Have you learned nothing?

[GulfBreeze]

I read this article yesterday. I am convinced that Rice’s point was that not enough blacks are pursuing the education they need and then pursuing careers in in diplomacy and not that the State Department was not hiring enough blacks from an available pool.

This was a discussion about the students personal responsibility to pursue success.

[Old Phone Man]

What a joke!In ten years the Diplomat Corps will be damn near ALL black, because after Condis statement political correctness will take over.....Go to DC and go into any government office and you will see what I mean...

For years now,White males may as well not even try to apply for a government job, because no matter how high their scores are, they will be put in back of the line......They are being preempted by the great God of Political Correctess!

[Rummyfan]

Geez I guess we just need more back people in general, to combat the decline in black professional baseball players, the lack of black diplomats (doesn't she remeber Alan Keyes, who started out in the State Department?), the lack of black presidential candidates (only one this election cycle!), the lack of black Olympic swimmers, the small percentage of black NHL players, and the dearth of black professional golfers (does Tiger ever feel lonely when he doesn't see anyone who looks like him during his rounds?). Sorry to hear this coming from Secretary Rice, who after starting out with a bang has been a sore disappointment as SoS. Maybe no one can defeat the bureaucracy there.....

I used to say to my kids when Condi Rice was on TV, that she would be the first woman President in our history. Now I've changed that assessment to Sarah Palin.

[Calpernia]

My opinion of her has hit a death spiral.

[ikka]

"I've been working hard to double the number of Rangel Fellows... to interest them in foreign affairs when they are young, to give them the training and support to learn languages and to learn about the world, and then to go out into that world to be a part of the great global debate, challenge and difficulty, too, that we face in the international system,"

Yes, maybe we can start it off by having you gain foreign experience in a Dominican Republic beach villa!

VERY disappointing.

[CinnamonBear]

“I job like that demands qualifications, not racial balancing.

It’s not the kind of job you can afford to fill according to affirmative action.”

---

Yours is a very accurate statement.

Let’s see - first Colin Powell, then Dr. Rice. More black diplomats - yeah, that’s the ticket! I’ve abandoned the idea that this woman will ever get a clue.

[pabianice]

She continues to disappoint. Now she wants affirmative action diplomats. Sigh.

[pabianice]

BTW, my beloved US Navy recently publicly announced it is seeking more officers of color. No word on whether they will be required to meet the same standards as white officers.

[nclaurel]

It is great that she is working to encourage blacks to enter that service. But with Rangel??? What will he teach them other than tax evasion?

[normy]

and I lament the lack of white running backs.