During an interview with actress Kerry Washington on Monday’s Today show, co-host Craig Melvin asked the left-wing activist what it was like “raising children in the world that we live in now, in the country that we live in right now?” Predictably, Washington seized the chance to urge her fellow liberals to get out to vote in the midterm elections.
Following a discussion of Washington’s new Broadway play, American Son, a story of an interracial couple searching for their missing son and designed to “raise awareness on social justice issues,” Melvin highlighted the numerous celebrity producers of the production. He particularly pointed out:
Dwyane Wade, his wife Gabrielle Union, who Instagramed a picture of her family with the caption, “As parents who are raising black boys in Florida, a Stand Your Ground and open carry state, Dwyane Wade and I know firsthand the fear, anxiety, and frustration that goes hand in hand, when so many demonize, weaponize, and criminalize black and brown bodies.”
After citing that indictment of American society, Melvin wondered: “How do you feel about raising children in the world that we live in now, in the country that we live in right now?”
In reply, Washington urged people to vote: “Well, I think this is such an important time because I think these midterm elections are an opportunity for us to take our feelings around how our communities are being managed and take action with our vote.”
Moments later, she claimed: “I actually don’t care who you are and who you’re voting for.” However, she then took a very thinly-veiled shot at Republicans: “...you need to know that democracy only works when all of us have a vote and we all show up. I think there’s one party that’s engaged in disenfranchising a lot of votes and we need to protect the votes of all people.”
Melvin was so impressed with Washington’s statements that he remarked: “And if you ever decide you want to run for something, I want you to come back and announce.” Referencing her character from ABC’s Scandal, he added: “Because right there, for a moment, I thought that maybe Olivia Pope might throw her hat in the ring.”
Clearly Melvin knew that he was teeing up the liberal actress to push her political agenda. Washington has made no secret of her left-wing views, just days ago, her and other Hollywood leftists produced an online video urging Democrats to vote and warning that “all of us” were “under attack” by Republicans.
Here is a transcript of the October 29 exchange:
8:38 AM ET
(...)
CRAIG MELVIN: The producers on this thing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Shonda Rhimes, Dwyane Wade, his wife Gabrielle Union, who Instagramed a picture of her family with the caption, “As parents who are raising black boys in Florida, a Stand Your Ground and open carry state, Dwyane Wade and I know firsthand the fear, anxiety, and frustration that goes hand in hand, when so many demonize, weaponize, and criminalize black and brown bodies.” I have a mixed race son, I have a mixed race daughter as well. How do you feel about raising children in the world that we live in now, in the country that we live in right now?
KERRY WASHINGTON: Well, I think this is such an important time because I think these midterm elections are an opportunity for us to take our feelings around how our communities are being managed and take action with our vote. You know, we elect our sheriffs. We elect our local judges. We have the power to have a say in our communities about how our communities are run. And so, that’s why it’s so important that no one can stay home in these midterm elections.
I actually don’t care who you are and who you’re voting for. I – you need to know that democracy only works when all of us have a vote and we all show up. I think there’s one party that’s engaged in disenfranchising a lot of votes and we need to protect the votes of all people. But this is a time for people to show up and say, “We all matter. We all are valuable. Our lives must be protected and respected no matter who we are.”
MELVIN: Kerry Washington, thank you so much.
WASHINGTON: Thank you.
MELVIN: Thanks for stopping by, I really look forward to seeing the play. And if you ever decide you want to run for something, I want you to come back and announce. Because right there, for a moment, I thought that maybe Olivia Pope might throw her hat in the ring.
(...)
