Radical Rican hip hop activist Rosa Clemente accepted an offer to run as Vice President along with Cynthia McKinney presidential campaign (Green Party). Rosa, who has a long history as an activist, released the following statement:

I am honored and excited to accept this invitation to run with Cynthia McKinney. Cynthia McKinney is a hero to me and many others across this country and around the world for her courage in standing up to George Bush while the Democratic Party establishment caved.

“This campaign is the opportunity the Hip-Hop generation has been working for. This is our time to address the issues affecting our communities – rising unemployment, the high cost of food and housing, a lack of quality public education and access to higher education, the prison-industrial complex, and unaccountable corporate media. These issues are not being addressed by either the Republican or Democratic nominee. “I choose to do this, not for me, but for my generation, my community and my daughter. I don’t see the Green Party as an alternative; I see it as an imperative. I trust that my Vice Presidential run will inspire all people, but especially young people of color, to recognize that we have more then two choices. Together, we can build the future we’ve been wanting.”

Wow. Now there is much debate as to if McKinney’s campaign is viable at all, given the fact that the U.S. is pretty much a two-party system. That said, we have to remember that when other third party candidates have run, on the Green Party ticket specifically, there has been debate as to if those runs cause more harm than good, by splitting voters who lean towards the Democratic party side of the spectrum.

Additionally, there has been some talk of how the Green Party, specifically, whose leadership tends to be white, could possibly be using people of color candidates.

Whether they are in it to win it (and I would argue that any run for presidency should be with winning in mind, no matter how remote the possibility), Rosa got it right when she said that her running will be inspiring. I know I can’t wait to tell my daughter when she wakes up this morning, that two women of color, one Rican like her, are running to run the nation.

Via / Run Cynthia Run