Ashley Williams Confronts Hillary Clinton
The event occurred several days ago at a South Carolina fundraiser for Secretary Hillary Clinton. Attendants had to pay $500 for entry, which was indeed paid by Ashley Williams and her unidentified friend who filmed the incident. As seen in the video, Secretary Clinton never addressed the question at hand and was condescending towards Williams, who had a right to be there.
Other patrons in attendance hissed and claimed Williams was being inappropriate for asking Secretary Clinton difficult questions about her record. Seemingly, they did not feel hearing about the Secretary’s position on mass incarceration and her racially charged comments from the 1990s. The further damning aspect was the demographics of the room after the protestors were removed.
#WhichHillary The crowd that booed and hissed Ms. Williams last night. Notice something? pic.twitter.com/m5PFQVfCad
— Mr. Minoan (@Faytte) February 25, 2016
Despite what looks to be the grandson of a patron, the rest of the crowd was older and without any minorities. However, that fact does not mean their problems with Ashely William’s interruption were racially motivated, it does create a negative narrative. Secretary Clinton needs overwhelming support of the black community in order to win the nomination. Being condescending and ending the exchange by stating, “Back to the issues” will definitely hurt her support among black voters.
Hillary Clinton Apologizes
In that speech, I was talking about the impact violent crime and vicious drug cartels were having on communities across the country and the particular danger they posed to children and families. Looking back, I shouldn’t have used those words, and I wouldn’t use them today.
My life’s work has been about lifting up children and young people who’ve been let down by the system or by society. Kids who never got the chance they deserved. And unfortunately today, there are way too many of those kids, especially in African-American communities. We haven’t done right by them. We need to. We need to end the school to prison pipeline and replace it with a cradle-to-college pipeline.
As an advocate, as First Lady, as Senator, I was a champion for children. And my campaign for president is about breaking down the barriers that stand in the way of all kids, so every one of them can live up to their God-given potential. – Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, commenting on her use of the words “Super Predator” to the Washington Post
Ashley Williams responded quickly to Secretary Clinton’s apology.
One last thing. #WhichHillary pic.twitter.com/afJ6pLogRo
— ash. (@Ash_Bash23) February 26, 2016
Secretary Clinton attempted to spin her comments and allude they were directed towards drug cartels. In actuality, the term “Super Predator” was a derogatory slang used primarily in reference to young black males in the inner city. Her comments also showed no interest in solving the harsh reality of the situation, just bringing about swift punishment.
The Original Statement
While fighting against drug violence is a great cause, her language at the time has brought about severe critique from the internet community. Establishment media has neglected to ask Secretary Clinton to respond to the issue before it became viral on Twitter. Now it’s an issue that will follow Hillary Clinton around for the remainder of her involvement in the election cycle.
“Bring them to heel” has also become a notorious comment as it draws comparisons to black males being animals. The statement came at a time when President Bill Clinton and his administration was attempting to present an aura strength around crime. Hillary was a strong advocate for the 1994 Crime Bill and commonly spoke about issues of crime as she did during the above speech.
#WhichHillary Goes Viral
After the incident between Ashley Williams and Hillary Clinton went to the press, #WhichHillary began trending on Twitter. The hashtag highlights incidents where Secretary Clinton has contradicted herself throughout her time in the public arena. Whether or not one supports the Secretary, it’s hard to deny that it would be difficult to determine how she would govern as President with the fluidity of her stance on various issues.
The following have been confirmed to be actual statements and comments from Secretary Clinton.
Today you tell us something y mañana otra cosa. Regarding immigration, #WhichHillary do you trust? pic.twitter.com/TWGfYlKTGr
— Latinos contra Trump (@Latinos4Bernie) February 25, 2016
Hillary Clinton has mentioned that she is willing to compromise on abortion during the following interview.
She gave another statement during the interview that contradict her stance as being a pro choice candidate.
Again, I am where I have been, which is that if there’s a way to structure some kind of constitutional restriction that take into account the life of the mother and her health, then I’m open to that. But I have yet to see the Republicans willing to actually do that, and that would be an area, where if they included health, you could see constitutional action. – Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, commenting on her willingness to negotiation on abortion laws
Her involvement with the Private Prison industry came into question as well, calling into question her actual willingness to stop mass incarcerations.
Private Prison "Corrections Corporation of America & Geo Group" Lobbyists Raising Cash for #WhichHillary https://t.co/5wVmdqBT4i by @lhfang
— Edward Shlikas (@senatorshlikas) February 25, 2016
The most damaging video highlighted a number of conflicting stances Secretary Clinton has taken along with their effects on Americans, especially minorities.
How Bad Does #WhichHillary Hurt Her Campaign
Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks details how the original statement from Secretary Clinton could hurt her campaign going forward.
With the added weight of her dismissive attitude with Ashley Williams there is no doubt that the incident will cost Hillary Clinton votes. Her Democratic Primary opponent Senator Bernie Sanders has seen steadily increasing support among black voters receiving support from prominent activists Cornel West, Shaun King, Harry Belafonte, and Spike Lee. The Senator’s record of activism during the Civil Rights movement has come into the forefront after Clinton surrogate Congressman John Lewis invoked it during a speech.
The #WhichHillary incident will only further hurt her support among Millennial and black voters. While it may not cost her the South Carolina Primary on Saturday, it will most certainly impact the Super Tuesday races on March 1st and beyond. If Senator Bernie Sanders goes on to win the Democratic nomination for President #WhichHillary will be looked at as the turning point of the election process.