So, several times over the past week or so, I have vehemently defended Elizabeth Warren, feeling that she was being “Clintoned” by the media. That there was no way, I believed, she had actually done the thing they were claiming she did, in the way they say she did it: That she specifically claimed exclusive Native American heritage on a form.
It just seemed impossible. Stupid. What sane blonde haired blue eyed person would do that?
And no media story I have ever seen or researched actually showed the form. They simply described it as being “in her own handwriting.” Well, of course it would be. 1986 was well before online or electronic forms. But I just never imagined the “race” part had been written out. Longhand.
I assumed the form she filled out, like dozens I have seen in my life, before asking race on a form became largely illegal, had check boxes: check Caucasian, check Black, check “all that apply,” and that she had very likely checked BOTH Caucasian (or “white”) AND Native American.
Because her family history is that she has native American ancestry.
I have pointed out that my mother in law claims Native American ancestry. That even after having taken a DNA test that showed no such ancestry, she still tells the story of her great grandmother who was “Cherokee.” Millions of Americans do this. It’s a bit of petty romance in the family tree. Few people blatantly claim any relevant advantage from it. It’s just the sort of thing people do. Like claiming Great-great-grand daddy Robert was a pirate.
I assumed Elizabeth Warren was guilty of nothing more than this. That the media was playing its usual game of half-truths and willful lies to slander a good woman by implying and insinuating criminality or base character where none existed. Because it’s FUN for the media to slander and smugly abuse a Democrat and a woman who dares to seek position above her base station. Just like they have done to Hillary Clinton for decades. (Just like they NEVER do to republicans.)
I was wrong. Really wrong.
Because she did what you see at the top of this page.
Elizabeth Warren actually wrote, in longhand, on a form, that she was “American Indian.” Not Caucasian AND American Indian. Just American Indian.
Wow.
I am embarrassed for her. I am embarrassed for myself, for assuming she could never have done something so stupid and reprehensible. I have admired Elizabeth Warren for years. She has done a lot of good things. She is still an admirable woman.
This doesn’t excuse Donald trump’s vile comments about her.
But I can no longer defend her or imagine her as President. Not after this.
This speaks to character in a way that is indefensible. I can assume and hope she has grown past it, but it suggests a flaw much deeper than, say, wearing blackface, or a nazi costume to a party.
This is Rachel Dolezal territory.
I hope Elizabeth Warren remains a Senator. I hope she continues to do good things.
But she should never be President.
This was fully disqualifying.
I am enormously embarrassed. I was mistaken. I apologize to the community here.