Call it the Rumble in Upper Manhattan.
This is the heated Democratic primary for the 13th congressional district. The Latino candidate accuses the African-American candidate of race-baiting — and Al Sharpton steps forward to present himself as the voice of racial harmony.
The latest dust-up started when Charlie Rangel asked of his challenger, state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, “Just what the heck has he done besides saying he’s Dominican?”
Rangel also pointed to a flyer the Espaillat campaign put out in the 2012 primary. It denounced another Dominican lawmaker as a “traitor” for endorsing Rangel instead of helping Espaillat become the first Dominican in Congress.
“I’m really saddened that the congressman tries to frame this race among racial and ethnic silos,” Espaillat replied. “I think that’s a disservice to your constituents, Congressman. . . You should really apologize. You are creating divisions.”
The next day, the Rev. Al Sharpton issued a warning.
“The one that saves the community and brings us together ought to be the congressman,” he said. “The one that divides us has forfeited the right and ought not be in the race. . . This race should be decided on issues.”
This from the man at the center of some of the city’s most racially explosive moments, from the Tawana Brawley hoax to the Freddie’s Fashion Mart protests that led to a mass shooting and arson.
What’s really going on is a district that was once heavily African-American and is becoming more Latino. In 1970, demographics favored a black candidate; in 2014, the trends are moving toward a Latino.
In the abstract, Sharpton and Rangel have a point. The campaign should be more about issues, and Espaillat should address more of where he stands on them.
But if this primary has become about race and ethnicity, it’s only because Espaillat is living down to the low standards all these men have established over the years.