The Debate at Morgan State: GOP at a Crossroads with Blacks and Hispanics

The GOP debate in Baltimore at Morgan State University, led and moderated by Tavis Smiley, and currently being snubbed by the leading candidates, is a pivotal moment in this election. It is a litmus test for a Republican Party that, in the past, has run away from black voters and only selectively interacted with Hispanic citizens.

At this moment in American history, it is clear that either the Republican Party wisely embraces people of color, or it chooses to be a losing political party in the future. The courage and vision of Tavis Smiley, and his often overlooked but historic Covenant movement, has put the limelight on this dilemma of the Republican Party.

We shall see which choice the Republican Party makes in regard to people of color in particular, but most importantly to their future as a party in the American democratic experiment.

Comments

[ang4ever]

During the 2004 Presidential Election - were they not pandering to the minority votes (African Americans, Latino's and Asian) ?

Inclusiveness - I think that was their motto. I knew they lied.

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[BushisDumb]

Morgan State? How pathetic!

[roboman]

I think part of the problem is that these debate forums are really more liberal forums than African American, hispanic, etc. You represent them as if they are forums representing a debate based on the perpectives of the whole of these communities -- I doubt those putting on these events would have the guts to do that. Conservative African Americans or hispanics and their views most certainly will not be represented. Of course, then again, the Left sees fit to throw conservative members of these communities under the bus at the first opportunit­y...they are somehow less black or hispanic because they're conservative. These are the same people who claim the Bush administration is racist despite the fact that it has a long list of firsts for minorities in the highest levels of government, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, etc., etc. Katrina is raised as a race issue for the Bush Administration even though Democrats in the Mayor and Governor's offices are as much to blame for what went wrong.

I would have skipped these debate forms too if I thought I was going to get the usual liberal litmus test questions, then have people saying I was a racist afterwards because I disagreed with their positions. The truth is, liberals don't like to debate, they prefer to go right to the personal attack.

[totallynext]

I only have a few words to say:

Condi, Alberto and Colin - What were you thinking?

[rwurzer]

I wish I could believe that this is "a turning point", but this sort of behavior is typical of a GOP candidate during an election cycle.

Why is there a turning point now, at this moment? I wish I could agree with you Mr. West but the history as I see it is that this is standard-o­perating-p­rocedure for the GOP, e.g. Bush at Bob Jones University in 2000, hostility toward the NAACP (Bush refusing to condemn a supporter, South Carolina state Sen. Arthur Ravenel, who called the NAACP the "national association of retarded people."), Pat Buchanan's anti-Semitic comments.

Kudos to Tavis Smiley for continuing with the debates with four *empty* lecturns!

[roboman]

I think part of the problem is that these debate forums are really more liberal forums than African American, hispanic, etc. You represent them as if they are forums representing a debate based on the perpectives of the whole of these communities -- I doubt those putting on these events would have the guts to do that. Conservative African Americans or hispanics and their views most certainly will not be represented. Of course, then again, the Left sees fit to throw conservative members of these communities under the bus at the first opportunit­y...they are somehow less black or hispanic because they're conservative. These are the same people who claim the Bush administration is racist despite the fact that it has a long list of firsts for minorities in the highest levels of government, including the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, etc., etc. Katrina is raised as a race issue for the Bush Administration even though Democrats in the Mayor and Governor's offices are as much to blame for what went wrong.

I would have skipped these debate forms too if I thought I was going to get the usual liberal litmus test questions, then have people saying I was a racist afterwards because I disagreed with their positions. The truth is, liberals don't like to debate, they prefer to go right to the personal attack.

[realitytrumpsbull]

I think hyphenated­-americani­sm truly does detract from the bona-fide american spirit
if there truly is such a thing other than as a
simple rhetorical device.

If you read back in the Consamatushun and the
Declaration of Independence, they talk about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That's not a guarantee, that's an opportunity.
Translation: If you blow it, sucks to be you.
If you sit around crying about how oppressed you are, don't apply for jobs, don't otherwise
exert any energy that might bust your little
bubble of percieved oppression and diminished
social status, that's the point at which the
whole song-and-dance becomes self-fulfilling prophecy, there. I don't care what gender you are, how old you are, what your skin color is, for that matter, I don't even really care if you speak english or not, although learning that language would be advisable if you intend on emigrating to or at least working in the United States, we speak english, stands to reason that you'll need it, but that's another story.

I think instead of employing a new 'More Government Doughnuts For Whiny, Shiftless Basket Cases With A Neverending Supply Of Convenient Sob Stories Act', they should pass a 'Swift Kick In The Backside And A Stern Warning Against Further Such Misconduct In The Future Act', and keep their legislative pencils razor-sharp for future budget-cutting opportunities, and view any such voter pandering/­cash-relat­ed lobbying with an appropriate level of cynical suspicion, and challenge any/all future government spending vigorously. To do otherwise is to promote and advocate a less-than-honest and unproductive ethic that encourages political malingering. Nuff said. While they're at it, they should put a mandatory retirement age on holding a seat in Congress. If you can't remember whether or not you're wearing pants today, you sure as hell don't have any business signing spending bills on behalf of our country anymore. Sorry, Grampers, but you gotta give up the Big Magic Checkbook, now...

[POSTHRUDAHART]

PERFECT !!!!!

[oafishcad]

Ageist as well.

[dlkincaid]

Once again, why are you people surprised? Republicans bowed their heads in reverence and brought the lies of these people and those of us who live the life of average people, mostly Blacks and Hispanics know what the truth is. Those who are worried about OJ and still want him to pay for a crime he was found innocent of have moved on - we just still have bush and his minions stopping the progress.

[Overd0g]

He was found guilty in a civil court.

[oafishcad]

I know this sounds naive. And at my age I should know better. I just don't understand WHY the GOP is so racist (and homophobic). I mean, what's the point? Life is only made better by diversity. Why the need to rule by making others less than you? I truly don't get it, never have. Society is just a nicer place to live when everyone's worth is valued and celebrated. I get angry and yell at Bush on TV like everyone else, but the emotion that really applies is sadness. Sadness at the poverty of character that would deny other people their humanity.

[mamacat]

I believe that racism and homophobia are merely tools of the GOP to get elected. The neo-con leadership knows that in order to appeal to a poorly educated base, they must encourage their fears and prejudices. Since the 1960s, it has been a calculated policy of the GOP to try to get former Southern Democrats to vote Republican.

[Overd0g]

Kind of like the way Dems exploit envy and encourage a sense of victimization among their base.

[Pete Ross]

The homophobia is the result of "conservative" Christianity. The "conservative" Christian religious zealots are intolerant of everyone but themselves and are more interested in the creation of a Christian theocracy in our country, forcing their "family values" religious views on everyone than preserving the country as our founders created it.

[MinneapolisBob]

Great to see these Greedy Obnoxious People (GOP) being exposed for what they truly are: Bigots and Racist members of the ReBUSHlican party.

Tavis and Dr. West should investigate where these sorry excuses for presidential candidates are going to be when the Morgan State debate takes place.

Every time they have been invited to attend a debate held by a minority organization, they conveniently have a scheduling conflict.

Guarantee, if this debate was put on by the NRA or some right wing-nut so called Christian organization (Bob Jones University); everyone of them would be there, even if they had to rearrange their schedule.

Every person of color should pay attention of this dismissal of issues facing their communities, and arrogance by these Greedy Obnoxious People (GOP).

White rich people are not the only citizens of this country. And it's on the backs of the poor and middle class people of color, they are making their millions, while taking away our rights and liberties.

[applejohn]

The GOP does not beleive it is necessary to appeal to minority voters beause they believe that they don't pay attention to politics.

[Overd0g]

And they are right.

[MissFortunate]

Anytime ANY party marginalizes a portion of our country they do themselves and our democracy a disservice. We are the country of people, citizens who should all have equal voice and an equal opportunity to question these candidates.

Unfortunately, that is not the case, lobbyists do not represent people but corporations and special interests that have put the bottom line before human beings. Republicans have only used minorities when they've served some purpose to put them in office, such as purging voters, intimidation and bullying them not to vote.

A smart candidate would involve themselves in all facets of the American culture and it's subcultures by showing that each vote is important and each voice is worth being heard, EVEN, dare I say, EVEN when we do not agree with them.

The ACLU is taking on Larry Craig's case, as it should. If Democrats were smart, they'd invite Mr. Craig to change parties. Hell, if Republicans can keep the Senator that visits prostitutes so they can keep a Rebuplican vote, why not welcome a man who is being thrown aside because his Governor is a Republican and would just replace him with another Republican. Larry, it's okay, you don't even have to come out of the closet.

And to be off topic, Mr. West, God Bless you for your voice and your work, I was lucky enough to hear you talk at Smith College when Ruth Simmons was our President. It was an honor, I hope you write again for the Huffington Post, it would be welcome.

[oafishcad]

It's a matter of justice and of practicality. How many gay interpreters have been drummed out of the military? I mean that's idiocy. The same goes for everyone. Each person has something they can add to the mix.

[neocon43]

I cannot believe how many people at this site who do not know who was resposible for slavery.'D­emocrat Party"Read your history book.Inste­ad of year after year following the democrat party into poverty and blaming somebody why not vote republican just one time and see if it worth while.Embr­ace the principals of republican party and see where it takes you.I think history is still the same.You are enslaved by the democratic party.Take the chains off and give them a boot to the closest door.

[Nommo]

Slavery was an institution on North American soil long before there was a US of A. Long before the first Democrat, Whig, Tory, Republican, or whatever have you.

No slavery, no United States. This country is incapable of acknowledging its debt to those captive Africans and their descendants to say nothing of the indigenous people who insured the survival of those first colonists.

I wonder what would have happened if those indigenous folk had killed them all and burned the ships.

You keep your party--you go back and explain to them that they are stupid beyond any modern measure and that the rest of us are tired of their stupidity and their racist thinking.

[Overd0g]

I know. A larger party would have come and wiped out the Indians even quicker.

[oafishcad]

George Bush proved that anyone of any skin color who votes for the GOP is a fool. The few honorable Republicans left must be pretty disgusted with what their party has become. The party needs a good swift kick, and hopefully they'll get it a year from this November.

[fazzy1960]

the problem is,,, who's principle are you representing, last time i checked my watch, yall screwed up everything you touch from foreign policy to domestic programs. OH THAT"S RIGHT,, yall are uniters, not dividers, look outside, bro the country is going to hell in a handbasket because of the republicons.

[Changeizgood]

Be Independant and vote for who's best to run the country and has the country at heart.

[thefireguy]

Today's Republican Party is a regional (the old south), white party with strong christian fascist leans... and it doesn't have the republic's (that is the nation's) best interstest at heart!

I would have through that the blacks and the latinos in the country would have been way past the "crossroads" by now and a lot further down the road...

I know I am!