Opinions differ on Murtha’s ‘racist area’ comments

‘ ‘ ‘ Pittsburghers have deviating opinions on whether Western Pennsylvania is, in fact, a… ‘ ‘ ‘ Pittsburghers have deviating opinions on whether Western Pennsylvania is, in fact, a racist area, as Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., called it earlier this month. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘It’s unfair to say that they’re racist. However, it’s fair to say that it is a conservative area,’ said Larry E. Davis, the dean of the School of Social Work at Pitt. ‘ ‘ ‘ On Oct. 16, Murtha apologized for his comment that Western Pennsylvania is ‘a racist area.’ Though people in Western Pennsylvania might have taken offense to Murtha’s statement, he maintains that the fact Obama is black has definite bearing on the election. ‘ ‘ ‘ Davis emphasized that to be conservative is very different than being racist. He explained that some people have more traditional views of leadership positions and are less accepting of change in those areas. ‘ ‘ ‘ Many people outside of Pittsburgh in the more rural areas have never seen a black chief of police, a black mayor or a black dean, said Davis. ‘ ‘ ‘ Thus, there is very little familiarity in their minds of black people being in leadership positions. Because of this lack of exposure, many voters are simply not used to the idea of black people in office, said Davis. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Thus, older, more conservative Americans are less likely to select a black person and less likely to take liberal actions. Many simply haven’t had the experience with these new ideas because they haven’t had the advantages of living in a diverse urban area,’ said Davis. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Obama will truly have a positive influence on all segments of the country. If elected, people would be more trusting of blacks in leadership. This is a new trend. There is no precedent to a black American president,’ said Davis. ‘ ‘ ‘ Davis said that young people are among Obama’s strongest backers. ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt freshman Regis Frey said he believes that Western Pennsylvania is as progressive as other areas with regard to racial issues. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I don’t believe that it’s a racist area. I’m sure the area is just as racist as anywhere else,’ said Frey. ‘ ‘ ‘ Frey said that the word ‘racist’ was a bold title and completely wrong. He said he wouldn’t classify the area with such a strong word because he knows of Pennsylvania’s diversity. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ However, Frey does believe that race will have an impact on the presidential election. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I think it’s still a big issue that people classify by race. We need to stop focusing on it in this election and focus more on policies,’ said Frey. ‘ ‘ ‘ Along with Pittsburgh’s youth, many older adults understand what effect race is going to have on the election. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘There are going to people that don’t vote for Obama because he is black,’ said James Crisci, a resident of Pittsburgh. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Crisci, 51, believes that Western Pennsylvania is indeed a racist area. According to Crisci, the Ku Klux Klan is strong in Pittsburgh, as well as in Butler and Erie counties. ‘ ‘ ‘ He said that Murtha will likely pay a political price for speaking candidly about the race issue in Western Pennsylvania. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I think Murtha was spot on with what he said that. People don’t want to hear the truth ‘mdash; that’s what he is guilty of and thus is going to pay a price for it,’ said Crisci. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Crisci said that race is not a proper judge of a person’s character and that elections should focus on what’s important as opposed to the color of the candidates’ skin. ‘ ‘ ‘ Pitt junior Lee Merrill agreed with Frey. He said that the Pittsburgh area isn’t racist. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I don’t think Pittsburgh is racist, but I do think Western and Central Pennsylvania are. To me Pennsylvania is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with Alabama right in the middle of both cities,’ said Merrill. ‘ ‘ ‘ Merrill said that race will have a bearing on the upcoming election because it is the first time a black man is running for president and the first time this barrier is possibly going to be broken. ‘ ‘ ‘ The American Civil Liberties Union declined to comment on whether Murtha’s comments had any factual basis.