Bobby Rush Not The Only House Member To Protest Through The 'Wearing Of Hats'

On Wednesday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) was escorted off the House floor for wearing a hoodie in honor of Trayvon Martin, the teenager killed in Florida last month. Although the decision by Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), who was currently presiding over the session, was supposedly an enforcement of a House rule prohibiting the wearing of hats, The New Civil Rights Movement points out that Rush was not the first House member to make a political statement with head gear while in the halls of Congress.

Last year, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) wore a propellor hat with President Obama’s campaign logo attached to it alongside the words “Obama’s energy plan” to a committee hearing. The hat was meant to mock the plan, which Young had some concerns about. Although Young was in a committee hearing at the time and Rush was on the House floor, the two incidents have some similarities, while the outcomes were very different.

Rush was interrupted during his speech and eventually escorted off the House floor. Harper later reminded representatives that Clause 5 of Rule 17 of House rules "prohibits the wearing of hats in the chamber when the House is in session." Young's hat, on the other hand, elicited laughter and joking from his colleagues.

The official House dress code clearly indicates that members may not wear hats or overcoats on the House floor, while the House is in session. It does not, however, specifically address decorum for committee meetings or hearings.

Comments

[Lkdub7]

02:22 PM on 03/30/2012

But he is the first black person to do it, which is of course why it's reprehensible. No other way to explain it. Somebody please try, I dare you

[jleveryday]

07:37 PM on 03/31/2012

If you think this stunt was about Trayvon and not his re-election, you would be dead wrong.

I wonder how Bobby feels now that a hoodied black men killed one and wounded 5 in his district and two hoodied black men shot thirteen and killed two in a separate incident in Chicago. I can see those gun control laws are really doing the trick in Chicago. Bobby Rush is about as smart as box of rocks. Lkdub7..you deserve better, brother.

[Lkdub7]

12:00 PM on 04/02/2012

Please explain why... Your comment makes sense, it's just not relating to any of the non-sense that I was discussing in my post. IJS, I'm being genuine, doesn't sound like you want to discuss this issue, but rather other issues that are more important to you.

[rtaylor1974]

10:56 AM on 03/30/2012

Always the illusion of inclusion... Its ok for them to do it;but as soon as a black man does it...

"We HAVE to follow the RULES"

[medic628]

10:29 AM on 03/30/2012

Just like the justice system. It all depends on who did what. SOP!

[ALiberalKidd]

07:57 AM on 03/30/2012

Commented Mar 29, 2012 at 03:46:02 in Politics
Aliberalkidd: “I wonder if this is the first time a representative has worn a costume on the House floor to make a point?”
===================================
HuffP:Bobby Rush, Not The First To Violate Hat Rule
===============================
Aliberalkidd: I just luv me some HuffP, even though they block many of my civil posts. But, professional at HuffP will often provide answers without acknowledging the questioner.

And all on HuffP should be aware of the status of many reading and responding to individual comments on HuffP.

HUffP is the premier place for freethinking Americans seeking truth, facts, subjective debate and criticism of all in positions of power, authority, and influence.

The three major corporate conservative controlled networks, PBS, and FOX have nothing on HuffP.

Aliberalkidd: For all, wanting to keep it real... HuffingtonPost is!

[mvpeace]

12:41 AM on 03/30/2012

Doesn't look like there's a credible defenses in this thread. Have the defenders just gotten tired? I mean day in and day out they are asked to defend childish buffoonery, corruption, how denying others freedom is a tangible form of freedom, scandals, bigotry, misogyny, and general misstatements. That, has to wear a person out. I mean, pretty soon they have to arrive at the conclusion, these bellicose bozo's don't know anything. They don't have any real vision of anything but the past, and that's commonplace questionable. Why am I defending these fools. Gosh, I'd like to think I'm so much better than this. But, my daddy was a republican, and his daddy was a republican.....break away!

[BurntOffering]

04:14 PM on 03/29/2012

I think his mike should have been cut off and he escorted out because if not the other members of the KKK in the house would feel they could wear their hoods too.

[huntertheone]

03:42 PM on 03/30/2012

LOL!

[IDIOTA]

03:53 PM on 03/29/2012

I see inequity -- AGAIN.

[freedom1947]

03:20 PM on 03/29/2012

It's OK, Young is a white republican. He can stay.

[MarieNat]

03:19 PM on 03/29/2012

Well, hoodies are way worse. Particularly so when worn by a Black guy, to hear Geraldo Rivera tell it.

[mwelby]

03:17 PM on 03/29/2012

hats a no-no......nothing in the rules against hoods.....the apparel, not the mob.

[mwelby]

03:15 PM on 03/29/2012

does the pope have to take off his skull cap when he addresses congress next?

[mwelby]

03:14 PM on 03/29/2012

How about the jewish representatives and senators in yamamulkes?

[noelie19]

02:33 PM on 03/29/2012

I love the 'okie-dokie' remark--different strokes for different folks - OK for Alaska Lifetime REPUB Don Young to do it, while NOT ok for Bobby Rush, a DEM? Different parties and far different rank, but as always Don Young will do as he pleases and everyone else be damned!

Thus the differences are RANK first, PARTY second, and RACE last! I do believe the guy pounding the gavel was exerting POWER and until we learn about him, we can't call what power play was going on! Now if you say he's from the south + a Repub, that may make a difference and my 'ranking' may change.

I do believe more than the race card being played, the Trayvon Martin killing is of a more volatile nature and congress doesn't want to deal with it. What's scary is that that action might be the most important thing they'll do all week! ;' -)

[Lkdub7]

02:25 PM on 03/30/2012

"Thus the differences are RANK first, PARTY second, and RACE last"

You just included race into your equation, so the card is obviously in the deck, whether your opinion makes it a Two or an Ace is of no matter, you admit the card is in the deck. Stop contradicting yourself, nobody believes that post-racial BS anymore and this proves what the world already knew. Gather back up with the Klan and brainstorm and yall come up with another approach now.

[umkcmoneyman]

02:30 PM on 03/29/2012

Committee hearing vs house floor. Different rules different place. Apples Oranges.

[Darrion Beckles]

03:40 PM on 03/29/2012

Yeah whatever, you wouldn't be saying that if it was a Republican politician escorted off.

[Kaycey351]

04:02 PM on 03/29/2012

Yeah,...we would, crybaby. Go by the rules or get out. Same as in the workplace. Go by the rules or get your arse fired.

[Snarkadelic]

02:22 PM on 03/29/2012

Mr. Rush, I applaud your courage and conviction and got your poignant message loud and clear.

Kudos, sir !!!