There is a difference between understanding, and sympathizing with, why many African Americans are leery of a Covid vaccine, and choosing to reinforce those fears when so many lives are at stake.
A significant chunk of my black friends (but happily not most of them) have no interest in getting the vaccine. I suggested when white people are pushing you aside to get to the front of the line and rich people are pulling strings to get it, maybe it's worth getting. As you say, I understand the wariness but don't want to feed it.
And it behooves lead voices like Capehart and Warwick to do what they can to correct this, lest lots more African-Americans become ill and die. His piece really bothered and confused me. He was clearly not just trying to 'explain' why many African-Americans feel this way. He was agreeing with them. And that crosses a line for a respected Washington Post writer, and MSNBC host.
A significant chunk of my black friends (but happily not most of them) have no interest in getting the vaccine. I suggested when white people are pushing you aside to get to the front of the line and rich people are pulling strings to get it, maybe it's worth getting. As you say, I understand the wariness but don't want to feed it.
And it behooves lead voices like Capehart and Warwick to do what they can to correct this, lest lots more African-Americans become ill and die. His piece really bothered and confused me. He was clearly not just trying to 'explain' why many African-Americans feel this way. He was agreeing with them. And that crosses a line for a respected Washington Post writer, and MSNBC host.