Opened Doors: Success Awaits African-Americans Who Offer Competence

Richmond Times Dispatch ^ | Aug 03, 2003 | L. DOUGLAS WILDER

[putupon]

Editor's Note: This column is adapted from remarks Wilder made July 17 at the 2003 Virginia Governors' Project at UVa in Charlottesville.

Each passing day fills me with a sense of deepening gratitude to the people of Virginia. They didn't listen to the touts of politics and the smart-money guys who said it couldn't and wouldn't be done, and never in Virginia. Virginia stood and stands alone in the distinction of electing an African-American Governor, and I continue to be proud to be a Virginian.

[putupon]

Voters Can't Be Fooled

Don't need to. According to the 2000 election, 50% +/- of them are fools already.

[pabianice]

INFORMATION ALERT! Success awaits ANYONE who can demonstrate competence...

[jocon307]

"In all, 25 percent of my appointments were made to highly qualified African-Americans. And this was seamlesssly accomplished, and without fanfare, because of the stress on competence, rather than on the color of their skin.

In the end, what critics say doesn't make a lick of difference. But if qualified able men and women sit back and wait for the party leaders, the pundits, and the self-appointed gurus to hand them the prize, they will never receive it.

And that's because it is not a prize. It's a job to embody and defend the values and aspirations of the people you serve."

Very sensible words from Gov. Wilder. If only the rest of his party thought this way.

[dufekin]

Presidential run? Wilder's better, in my opinion, than any Presidential candidate except Bush. Then again, I haven't heard his views on national security, rogue states, or terrorism. After he retired, he promised never to run again for political office. He will turn 74 a week before the 2005 inarguration, so he is a bit old. Still, he may be the best the Democrats have.

[hillyes]

As a Virginian,I do wish Wilder would dtop using the term "African-American". He is either one or the other!!!
Eleven times in his article he used the term. Gov. Wilder-
you are a Virginian,Korean War veteran,American,drop the hyphenated name.

[happygrl]

What a class act!