I’m currently in the Blackburn Center at Howard Univeristy lie blogging the PBS All American Forum (after some tech problems). I’ve already mentioned that the debate is based on the Covenant with Black America which makes me think that while this debate is being framed as a forum for people of color, color is being looked at through the strictly black/white lens. Latinos need a national plan of action too especially if we are to become that swing vote that people have been saying we are.

The first question asked was if race was still the #1 factor today, especially in light of today’s Supreme Court decision which basically elimates race as a factor in terms of educational considerations for grades k-12. So far Hilary and Biden have given answers that everyone wants to hear but I wish that Bill Richardon would have conquered the issue of the black/white paradigm. And you know you have a problem when John Edwards can’t even say slavery.

As expected, the event is an Obama lovefest (someone please play that reggaeton song). I’m pleased that Obama did go beyond the black/white issue of race by at least mentionaing Latinos (although you have to wonder if he said that because Bill Richardson shouted himself out as the first Latino running for president.