I have done several posts on how Toni Morrison’s characterization of Bill Clinton as “the first black president” was based on the fact that Congress was treating him like he was black, not that he was actually, in any sense, black. But no one really read the essay, just like no one really reads intelligence estimates or economic studies, they just repeat what some jerk says they mean.

But finally, Toni just came out and said it:

People misunderstood that phrase. I was deploring the way in which President Clinton was being treated, vis-à-vis the sex scandal that was surrounding him. I said he was being treated like a black on the street, already guilty, already a perp. I have no idea what his real instincts are, in terms of race.

Thanks Toni. Can we all agree to stop calling Bill Clinton “the first black president” now?

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