Bill Clinton is black. Well, not really. However, just last month, on Oct. 19, former president Bill Clinton was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. However, only one point of interest was raised by this ceremony. Bill Clinton is a white man. Regardless, his color did not seem to hinder the event organizers of the ceremony in Arkansas, and thus, it should not hinder anyone else. Bill Clinton has earned his coveted spot among the black hall of fame, once again breaking barriers and thinking innovatively in attempts to bring together communities. No one can criticize the sincere rapport Clinton has built with black constituents. And no one should criticize the decision made by the people of Arkansas to induct him into the state Black Hall of Fame. We should be happy to see someone who deserves to be recognized for their contributions in spite of color.
The purpose of having a separate hall of fame designated to be "black" is a historical precept dating back to segregation in this country. The rationale is to recognize minority contributions and achievements that often go without notice or recognition. This sort of organization serves to unify the community, present role models and reward those who often go overlooked and unlauded, something that is unfortunately common in less prominent communities.
What Arkansas has done with the idea and perspective of a "black" hall of fame is expand a limited definition toinclude people who have made serious contributions to the black community, specifically in Arkansas, even if they are not black. "This honor makes a lot of sense. It is this community's way of saying thank you to him for the work that he has done," said Charles Stewart, the hall of fame's chairman and founder. He further stated that black Arkansas residents and Clinton have had a long relationship of mutual admiration. If Bill Clinton has moved the hearts of those in Arkansas enough to grant him this honor, then perhaps they have set an example for how people should evaluate community leaders -- even outside of specifications based on race.
The selection committee chose Clinton, the former Arkansas governor and two-term president, for his efforts to appoint blacks to high levels of state and federal government, in addition to his work after his presidency to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean. Clinton, who was once famously described by author Toni Morrison to be "our first black president," is the first non-black to be recognized in the 10-year history of the Hall of Fame. While addressing the audience of 850 people, Clinton stated "I owe you way more than you owe me... You have looked beyond the color of my skin to the truth of my heart." And so it should be. Is it important that Bill Clinton is not a member of the black community? Absolutely not. He has made a sincere effort to advance minorities and our communities both in and out of office. The induction now forever ranks Clinton in Arkansas among the likes of poet Maya Angelou, Ebony and Jet magazine publish John H. Johnson Jr, former Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders, gospel singer Al Green and Dr. Edith Irby Jones, the first black graduate of the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
There are no ulterior motives to this appointment. In response to an inquiry regarding Clinton's attempts to get the black vote, it was implied that his consistent dedication to the people of Arkansas has already secured it. In the 1980s, Clinton was the first white candidate for governor truly te reach out and include the black voters of Arkansas. He went so far as to eat with them on their porches, pray with them at their churches and invite them into the governor's office as valued constituents. Minorities do not often get so much attention from busy political candidates. For this and more, our former president deserves the honor he has received. Clinton's former transportation secretary, Rodney Slater, stated that "President Clinton is here tonight not because he needs your vote but because he has always wanted our love and wanted to share his love with us. It is not about the skin. It is about the spirit and the soul of this soul brother."
This is yet another lesson learned about culture: It is not always about the exact shade of one's skin. For many communities, it is about one's heart and spirit regardless of skin color. Bill Clinton has proved this point time and time again, and the people of Arkansas respect, appreciate and honor that. Be proud of our former president, not critical. Charles King, the executive director of the hall of fame, summed it up quite nicely when he said, "We wanted to show him our appreciation not only for what he did as president, but for his lifelong association with us. He came to us. We were responsible for him being governor, and president. He held on to that, and we held on to that." Good job, Arkansas. You have set an example by recognizing a significant contribution outside of color. More organizations should be willing to follow their hearts, not their eyes or ears, when giving respect where it is due.
(Amey Adkins' column usually appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at aadkins@cavalierdaily.com.)
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