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That's what happened to Whitney this week, when his name was misspelled as "Rich Whitey" on voting machines in almost two dozen wards in the city of Chicago. Even worse is the fact that the wards are in predominantly African American neighborhoods.
On one hand, one could argue that it was simply an error that happened to be funny. But the error isn't funny to Whitney, especially in light of the consequences. I am sure black voters won't be happy to see the name Rich Whitey on a ballot. Whitney is considering legal action to get the error fixed, and I don't blame him.
On the other hand, one must remember just how corrupt Illinois politics happens to be. Democrats have never been happy with the Green Party, believing that it steals many of their votes. It is not inconceivable that there could be something sinister going on. I find it hard to believe that the names on the machines were not proofread several times before being distributed. Given the importance and expense of most gubernatorial elections, it would make no sense to forget to triple-check everything.
Whitney deserves to have the error fixed. Also, there should be an investigation to find out what happened, to ensure that the mistake doesn't happen again. Such an insignificant, yet avoidable error with such serious consequences is not something to laugh about. Okay, maybe we can laugh just a little bit. But after we chuckle at the irony of the mistake, we need to be serious about correcting it.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (9)
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By: poetrysez on 10/14/2010 11:19PM
"Green" party candidate with the name Rich Whitey-oops-I mean REAL Rich Whitey (bust a gut funny)
They probably omitted the "N" on purpose ;}
But you have to admit that-that's real funny :}
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By: ARNEADER on 10/15/2010 11:35AM
Dr. Boyce you can't tell me this Rich Whitey has called himself that a time or two? I think chickens came home to roost. Why he didn't call himself "Richard"?
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By: Harvey on 10/15/2010 7:51PM
This is pure racism. But, in this case, like the thugs in Philly at the voting station, it's OK.
It's OK because it's against a white person. But, we're gonna get this whole situation straightened out real soon. Believe that!
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By: blackbear72 on 10/15/2010 1:03PM
The Dr needs to explain why a black person wouldn't be happy to to see the name Rich Whitey on a ballot. If they were going to vote for him because they knew his policy's and what he stood for and then this name was miss-spelled, that would make black people not vote for him? Does that make sense? Black people hate white people who are rich? If so do they also hate black people who are rich. What about Rich Blackman, would black people not like to see that name on a ballot also? If your comparing his name to the term rich whitey, isn't that a racist term? Is that why black people wouldn't be happy, because this candidate was being called a racist name?
Let face it anyway, a white candidate in a predominately black area has no chance of winning anyway, regardless of how his name is spelled.
Illinois politics are are very corrupt, isn't there a lot of Illinois politicians in the WH? Wasn't the Pres a Illinois politician? Do you also believe he is corrupt? I bet you will never write that statement in an article about the Pres.
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By: EldonPittman on 10/16/2010 11:53PM
So what? Who is this guy Dr Boyce. We need him as much as we need Rev Scaredy Cat Sharpton of Fox News!
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By: Aaron on 10/27/2010 11:51AM
Harvey, a brief comment, you're either an inbred or a moron. Children live what they learn, where ignorance is tolerated, Intelligence cannot prevail! The problems in this nation stems from idiot Gentiles such as you!!!
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By: Aaron on 10/27/2010 11:48AM
EldonPittman, you're still on your initial escape from ByBerry? Is your mother still with you?
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By: Christy on 10/21/2010 1:27AM
I don't recall black people thinking it was funny when Obama became Osama on ballets. If you're going to call it for one side, you've got to call it for both Boyce.
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By: Aaron on 10/27/2010 2:05PM
Because the wrong spelling was the handiwork of you racist!!
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