Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Denounces and Rejects Geraldine Ferraro's Statement Against Senator Barack Obama

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) - Barbara A. McKinzie, Alpha Kappa Alpha's international president, today assailed Geraldine Ferraro for dismissing Senator Barack Obama's popularity as due to his being lucky for being black; rather than because of his experience and message of hope that is resonating with the country.

AKA's international president said Ferraro's "outrageous" statement was race based and inflammatory. She said the Sorority "denounces and rejects" her words and the spirit behind them.

"What is particularly offensive is how Ferraro condescendingly dismisses Senator Obama's candidacy as a 'concept' that the country is caught up in. In trivializing his candidacy as luck-based and race-based, she fails to take into account his experience, impressive credentials and the inspirational figure that he is. Senator Obama has energized the nation with his vow to rise above the type of petty politics that has resulted in America being in the state that it currently finds itself. This is not luck. It is competence and an ability to capitalize on his strong background and on the mood of this country, which desires change!"

Continued McKinzie, "While Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority cannot endorse candidates, the organization supports the uplifting message that Senator Obama is espousing that is exciting the nation -- and the world!"

McKinzie added that Ferraro's assertion was rife with contradictions. Observed McKinzie, "Ms. Ferraro also stated that 'if he was a woman of any color, he would not be in this position, '" However, McKinzie noted, "Senator Clinton is a woman in the race so, she is clearly contradicting herself."

"No one is entitled by birthright nor by any other reason to lay claim to the presidency," declared McKinzie.

McKinzie urged the Sorority's 200,000 members -- and all fair-minded citizens -- to reject Ms. Ferraro's characterizations and to stay focused on bigger issues that are afflicting the nation. She added that Alpha Kappa Alpha's current ESP program focuses on economics and stressed that the country needs to be centered on this issue.

"As an organization we will educate our members about the importance of staying on message about what the country really needs. In the next few months, we will intensify our effort to educate our members on the candidates' positions on economics. This will be the litmus test for our members regardless of the candidate's gender, race or political persuasion."