I read today that Condoleezza Rice’s name is derived from an Italian musical expression that means - to play with sweetness. Somehow this bit of information changed how I saw her. Unlike many Black democrats, I have never been against Ms. Rice. In fact due in large part to my history as a recovering Black Republican, I still somewhat look up to her. Her rise to power has been one marked by many important firsts. She was the first female and minority Provost at Stanford. She was the first female National Security Advisor and subsequently became the first Black female Secretary of State. I heavily sympathize with both her and Colin Powell’s roles supporting Bush’s policies concerning race. She works for a man whose policies she, at times, disagrees with. As such, she may be forced to be a team player rather than a vocal proponent of other strategies.
Ms. Rice deserves more credit than having achieved lap dog status for a soon to be ill-remembered president. Ms. Rice is a survivor of Bull Connors racist Birmingham of the 60’s. She felt personally the bomb threats levied at integrated schools. Her father, a Presbyterian minister, stood as a armed guard in their house (reminiscent of Malcolm X) when it became know that he had contacted Civil Right leaders at the time. It seems to me that a woman who has achieved and been a part of so much black history deservers more credit from her own people than she tends to receive. Though I agree with Rev. Al Sharpton (a rare occurrence), that we can never assume that because she is black we will agree politically on any issue. I think it would be beneficial for all people to remember that for a woman from humble beginnings to have achieved so much is worthy of all peoples’ respect. To have navigated the complex world of the White Boys Club that is Republican politics and come out ahead, could not have been accomplished had she not moved eloquently and elegantly with sweetness we all could stand to learn from.