Passing of the Whip: We Still Look at EVERYTHING in Black and White

As the Democrats took control of Congress this week, an interesting thing took place. We all know by now that Jim Clyburn is only the second African-American Majority Whip - it's hard not to notice, with all press that's been given. There was one small, relatively insignificant part that caused a stir, and was unexpectedly changed: The Passing of the Whip from the Previous Whip. It looks like the PC Police were on full alert this week, and it made me think......... at what point do we finally stop seeing everything in terms of race, and stop being so overly sensitive to how things MIGHT LOOK?

In case you're wondering what I'm talking about. It is a tradition for the outgoing Majority Whip to pass to the Incoming Whip a whip. Sure, it's only been a tradition for who knows how long, but the PC Patrol got to someone's ear, so instead of Roy Blunt passing the whip to Clyburn, it was given to him by former Whip Bill Gray, the only other A-A Majority Whip. In typical DC fashion, no one is taking responsibility for the change.

While it is an insignificant ceremony, the question can be asked, "What was the best thing to do at the time?" What I'd like to know is exactly what happened when Gray took over from his white predecessor? What there are a mojor stink like this time? Maybe we need to change the title from Whip to Taskmaster or Gatekeeper. What I'd like to have seen was Blunt pass the whip to Clyburn and address the issue as it was - no big deal.

Better still, maybe they should change the item used to pass along. Here are a few suggestions...................