STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Commentary: Paul Ryan Dated a Black Girl. Who Cares?

Just because vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan dated a Black woman in college doesn’t mean he’s a good leader for African-Americans.

It’s been well established now that Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney’s choice for vice president, is not very beloved in the African-American community.

Because Ryan’s commitment to America’s Black community is being called into question, some reporters have pointed to the fact that, in 2005, Ryan said in an interview that his “college sweetheart” was Black. Does dating a Black person mean that Ryan empathizes with the African-American community more than people know? In a word, no.

While dating a Black woman certainly may mean that, at one point in his life, Paul Ryan really liked a Black person, it doesn’t really say anything about how he feels about the African-American community as a whole. Nor does it say anything about how he’d govern African-Americans in the office of vice president.

I’ve met several racists in my time who say that I’m “not like” those other Black people. That is to say, I was alright with them, but Blacks as a whole they didn’t like. I’m not saying that’s what Paul Ryan’s done in his life, nor am I calling him a racist. But it’s important to keep in mind at times like these that “I dated a Black girl once” is akin to the oldest line in the book: "I’m not racist, I’ve got a Black friend.” Having a Black friend and being a good leader to African-Americans are two different things.

 

The opinions here do not necessarily reflect those of the BET Networks.

 

BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices.  Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

(Photo: Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.