During the Texas Tribune Festival this past weekend in Austin, Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro sat down with MSNBC anchor Katy Tur for an interview. At one point, Tur asked Castro this:
How would you feel about the next nominee of the Democratic party if they were caucasian? @JulianCastro: I’m going to support the nominee enthusiastically. #TribFest19 https://t.co/sPnyIApqay pic.twitter.com/yVRgiSNETw
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) September 28, 2019
“How would you feel about the Democratic Party if the next nominee was Caucasian?”
The question was bizarre and insulting, but Castro didn’t take the bait. In fact, his answer was pretty positive.
“I’m going to support the next nominee enthusiastically if I’m not the next nominee,” Castro said. “I’ve always said that I believe that we should have greater diversity in our party, certainly in leadership but I also don’t believe you can say just because someone is white that they shouldn’t be in that position. So I’m going to support the nominee, and anyone of the people that, the 18 people that are left, would be tremendously better than Donald Trump. I will say, let me answer that question a different way. What I believe I bring to the table is I think that if we’re going to win, that we need to excite that coalition of voters that Barack Obama was able to excite in 2008, and that I’ve been trying to build out there this coalition of young, diverse working people across the United States so we can bring people who are off the sidelines on to the field and beat Donald Trump…”
As for Tur’s initial question? It goes without saying that we are witnessing yet another example of what POC candidates like Castro have to go through in order to appease the white political media and narrative that dominates this cycle. It was another sad attempt to erase the voice of the only Latino candidate in the race, as if Castro being Mexican-American is more of a pain for the Democratic Party than an asset. We clearly understand that Castro is not the perfect candidate (nobody is), but Tur’s question is yet another example of what is perceived as a coordinated push to ignore Castro. It is something he discussed with us this weekend:
It also shows up in other places, like comedy sketches, as Castro’s national press secretary tweeted out after Saturday Night Live couldn’t even parody Castro in a but that featured parodies of several Democratic candidates:
Interesting that @nbcsnl decided to cut one candidate out of this sketch. Could you not find a Latino actor to play @JulianCastro? pic.twitter.com/eWBgX4CDV7
— Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) September 29, 2019
In the end, this really is about how power thinks it can ignore Castro and the community. No matter whether you support Castro or not, at some point, the community needs to speak out in unison to raise awareness about this invisibility push. If not, nobody will take it seriously, and we will all continue to witness insulting questions that minimize us and make us think that we are not at all a fabric of this country.
Did Katy ask the white candidates how they would feel if the nominee is a minority?
That’s just a crazy question to ask when there are soooo many other issues to talk about.
— Modest Molly (@Im_half_awake) September 30, 2019
Tur’s question was flat-out wrong. And it is our responsibility to inform her about how wrong it really was. Will others join in, or will it be the same uninformed critique that this is yet another “overreaction?” If so, then we will never progress as a community, and the insulting questions will kepe happening.
Her claim to Fame is covering the Trump election. I’ve always wondered why she anothers who covered that election have such prominent roles and big megaphones.
Castro is a Caucasion, his ethnicity is what makes him a person of color.
Full disclosure, I am a white woman and I find this question inappropriate. While I have not officially made up my mind yet, Casro is one of the candidates I have contributed to because I do believe his impute is important on the debates. I am a practical person who always votes and will vote for the democratic candidate, However, I want a diverse ticket. The next White house must serve and represent the entire country.
You know – i think Castro would feel the same as he’s felt his entire life about the president. With the eception of Obama, all of the presidents have been white.
He is a politician, so i would think he would look to and be inspired by the next president THAT IS IF IT WASNT HIM.
That was a BS question. The repoter obviously sees Castro’s color as an issue that should be pointed out.
AND AS FAR AS THE COMEDY ACTORS. If they couldn’t find a brown actor – why didnt they use a white, black or another brown race? Does it matter what color Castro is???? They shouldnt have completly eliminated Castro…
I missed Katy when she was out on maternity leave, feeling that she asked difficult questions and challenged politicians who would be uncomfortable to acknowledge some truths. Having said that, I am profoundly puzzled by her question. Aside from it being seen as racist, it was really a stupid question that may address her perception of the world around her. Very disappointed Katy. Very.
Its not inappropate at all. In fact, I applaud Katy Tur for asking it. In th a age of political correctness few journalists would have the courage to answer it. Furthermore, it has to be asked. Democratic party and national media has gone completely radical the last couple of years. If you watch some of these networks their has been anti bias towards white.
So can we ask white candidates who drop out of the race if they will vote for candidates of color? Can you share those moments where Katy Tur has asked those candidates that question?
And if you think this is about “political correctness,” you miss the point as to why this question was such a problem to ask to begin with.
Katy Tur was my favorite msmbc mc, but asking that question makes me question her motives and the very essence of what she is about? Is she a racist?