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Spoke to a few officials today who tell me this is not playing well with diplomats who have raised internal alarm bells about how State has been dismissive of problems of institutional racism in its own ranks https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1283912748078956545
Obviously the audience for this speech was not career diplomats, but to them these signals from their boss do matter. A few I spoke to who were open about this commission and said let's wait & see amid all the criticism are confused why he chose this point to pick battle w/ 1619
More on institutional issues of diversity & racism at State here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/24/state-department-diversity-racial-ethnic-minorities-recruitment-government-accountability/
and here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/24/state-department-diversity-racial-ethnic-minorities-recruitment-government-accountability/
and particularly under Trump, here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/17/white-male-trump-ambassadors-dont-look-like-america-us-state-department/
and here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/24/state-department-diversity-racial-ethnic-minorities-recruitment-government-accountability/
and particularly under Trump, here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/17/white-male-trump-ambassadors-dont-look-like-america-us-state-department/
Reaction to speech fell on predictable partisan lines. To read perspective from someone supportive of this commission, recommend this piece from Walter Russell Mead: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pompeo-takes-on-the-politicization-of-human-rights-11594919689
And to read perspective from someone critical, this piece here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/16/mike-pompeo-wants-nationalize-human-rights/
And to read perspective from someone critical, this piece here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/16/mike-pompeo-wants-nationalize-human-rights/
You can read/watch Pompeo's full speech here: https://www.state.gov/unalienable-rights-and-the-securing-of-freedom/
