Casten Statement on Anti-Discrimination Resolution
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement after he voted yes on the anti-discrimination resolution.
Casten said, "Today I voted yes on this resolution condemning hatred of all stripes. And I'm not proud of that vote. Not because I don't condemn racism and hatred. Of course I do. But because this vote serves only to allow those of good character to affirm what we already know to be true while giving cover to those of bad character to hate. And no resolution can paper over that problem.
The topic of racism should be something we address every single day and not swept away like so many other issues. Much as we'd like to walk off this Floor today and believe that we have done something meaningful to fix a wrong, we all know better. There is no easy out. We have to do more.
We cannot allow this vote to end the discussion. This must be the beginning or we are failing all of those who have been oppressed, who have been discriminated against because of their race, religion, ethnicity or color of their skin – for all of those who felt like they didn't have a voice in our previous Congress.
We have a moral obligation to fight discrimination and bigotry – a concept the previous Republican leadership were too scared to face.
And I fear we fall short of fighting the moral fight today.
This resolution comes to this Floor as a result of poorly chosen words. I know they resulted in hurt and I recognize that many parties commendably worked together to come to an agreement on the words of this resolution.
But it is deeply disturbing that, on so many occasions in these last two years, the President of our nation – our nation of immigrants -- has demonized diversity, promoted hate, and stoked fear. He has wielded racism as a weapon of political power. And we must have no doubt about it: his words were – without question – uttered with his full understanding and utter contempt. That is undeniable.
Meanwhile the voices of the leaders of his Party were, and remain, stunningly silent. And every time our party points out the elephant in the room, we get accused of stoking partisan fires. So we do show votes instead. That is shameful. And I fume when I think about all that this President has said and done. I am enraged when I think of the times that his bigoted words have fueled anger, and violence, and – yes – even murder.
By voting yes today, many hope this conversation will go away. I hope to God it doesn't. When white men of low character wake up drenched from their personal nightmare as the rest of us welcome the arrival of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream, we should not coddle them. We should not defer to them. We should not be afraid of them. We should lead them. So stay angry, stay alert, and fight the power."
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