I want to comment on Rob Port's Dec. 2 column, " Heitkamp May Just Be the Wrong Color Woman ," in which he focuses exclusively on skin color as a metric for President-elect Joe Biden's cabinet appointments. Port's discussion simplistically reduces the respective qualifications of two of the candidates being considered for the post of agriculture secretary--Heidi Heitkamp, a former North Dakota senator, and Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio. Port claims that Fudge's primary qualification is that she is African-American and that Heitkamp is being disadvantaged because she is white. Like many writers, Port conflates identity politics with expertise and values emerging from a racialized experience.
What is missing from Port's reductive, white aggrievement piece is a recognition that the two women candidates have distinct expertise and values that are deeply connected to potential policy directions reflected by the mission of the department, not just a tit-for-tat voter reward as Port suggests.
As a former senator in a rural and agricultural state, Heitkamp's selection would reflect a commitment to the traditional emphasis of the department on agriculture interests. A more modern and progressive agenda for the department is reflected by Fudge's background and expertise--which is also a part of the department's budget--hunger, nutrition and food insecurity. As this New York Times article explains, the traditional emphasis on agricultural interests has sometimes meant neglecting the other, equally important role of the department which is " food stamp program, nutrition services, rural housing and rural development."
In this way, the candidacies of the two women emerge from their their political experiences, areas of expertise, and their policy emphasis--which likely has emerged from their racial identities but is not synonymous with it. In other words, "identity politics" is a dismissal of the reality that people's racial experiences can shape their priorities.
As a white senator of a vastly white state with large agricultural interests, Heitkamp's background would continue a traditional emphasis in the department. As an African-American representative of the state of Ohio, Fudge represents a state that is 14.3% Black (slightly higher than the national percentage), and a congressional district that is majority-Black, Fudge would likely seek to emphasize the equally if not more important issues of food security and nutrition a priority of the department, alongside its historical efforts.
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I appreciate the Biden administration's efforts to ensure that leadership in his staff reflects the diversity of the US. As well, is not something to resent, but rather something to strive toward.
Hassel lives in Fargo.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
