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

[Furry1968]

It doesn't matter - most African-Americans will be scared by that twin boogie man of gay marriage and abortion that will be be trotted out next October and will vote Republican...why should the RP kiss butt now? They always have "the church" in the back pocket

[Qbear]

How did the African American community so quickly forget two of their most brilliant contributors to Civil Rights, who also were gay. Bayard Rustin who planned the Poor People's March on Washington was a trusted member of Martin Luther King's early circle, and HE CHOSE to stay out of the spotlight so he wouldn't harm the Civil Rights movement with gay concerns.
"Arguably the high point of Bayard Rustin's political career was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom which took place on August 28, 1963, the place of Dr. Martin Luther King's stirring "I Have a Dream" speech. Rustin was by all accounts the March's chief architect. To devise a march of at least one-quarter of a million participants and to coordinate the various sometimes fractious civil rights organizations that played a part in it was a herculean feat of mobilization."
http://www.quakerinfo.com/quak_br.shtml
Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, which was the African American artistic movement in the 1920s that celebrated black life and culture. Hughes's creative genius was influenced by his life in New York City's Harlem, a primarily African American neighborhood. His literary works helped shape American literature and politics. Hughes, like others active in the Harlem Renaissance, had a strong sense of racial pride. Through his poetry, novels, plays, essays, and children's books, he promoted equality, condemned racism and injustice, and celebrated African American culture, humor, and spirituality.

[jonboy3000]

Hi Cornel,
It was great to see you on Real Time. I always enjoy your commentary. The Republican party made a choice about people of color during the hurricane Katrina fiasco. American citizens were at the New Orleans convention center begging for help from our Republican run government. Our president was at the ranch riding his bike and just didn't care what happened to these folks.I just don't think they want to face the heat of the aggressive questioning. They can't have their plants in the audience who will ask a softball question and lead them into their talking points. Most of these candidates have endorsed Bush's policies on the war and the economy . Morgan State University is not the place they will want to be to defend these policies. They can't.
Take Care,
Jon

[oafishcad]

Good point. How can you debate when you know all the points you've been making are lies? That's why the GOP MUST lose the next election.

[nellyol'son]

Blacks go to the polls in greater numbers than other minorities but those numbers are still below average. What will it take to get them to vote in higher numbers?

[urbangreen]

Having someone to vote for would help. The Democrats have not only taken African-American voters for granted, worse yet some like Bill Clinton have deliberately taken stances perceived to be "anti-black" (Sister Soulja).

While Democratic candidates will show up for the photo op at black churches, when they get in office they take a powder on the issues that affect African-Americans most, like quality education for inner-city kids and employment opportunities that aren't dead-ends.

[Changeizgood]

Our youth have been left out since the civil rights movement and we have grown up. Those of us who followed the laws have children being wrongly sentenced and locked up for the same sh*t if yesteryear. Only we are not just the people of Martin, we are the people of Ancestors that have stood up in far worse and we won't go back. To the death. Let the rest of the world see another unjust thing (halocaust)against us and pray for God to come get you first.

The few whites we have for equality to stand up and vote for the charecter and not the color or party, can change the direction of their uyouth where we have inclusive practice in our youth to accept all, we are being threatened with the ignorance that caused the Civil War in 2007.

I ask the RepubliKlan party, "Do you wanna get funky with me? After all the suppressed rage at believing in a justice system that is appearing to go haywire?

Get control of your dogs and keep them behind bars, not in the American People's House.

How are we to move on when the repeats and reruns keep coming on?

[ThomasMc]

The GOP has always been a big tent. A big WHITE tent.

[oafishcad]

Pointed on top.

[Changeizgood]

And a Cross burning after church on Sunday.

[mpgarr]

There is one thing that is actually pretty much great about what the Repugs are doing--they are signing their own death warrant --so in the not too distant future---thanks in large part to shifting demographic patterns-- along with just simply being foolish and shortsighted in their actions---the Republican Party is well on its way to "the dustbin of history!"

[jpopphan]

The first question that African-Americans and Latino-Americans should ask themselves is what exactly have the Republicans done to earn a single one of their votes? The GOP has decided to align itself with the most reactionary, nativist and xenophobic elements of our populace. They have done nothing to promote a more just society, a more inclusive society, a more colorblind society, etc. The Democrats have a long way to go in this regard as well, but at least the donkey is moving in the right direction; the elephant is digging in its heels and pulling back with all its might, hoping to keep progress and the future at bay.

On another topic, I find it hilarious that some on the right accuse those of us who are Democrats are being "neo-Marxist". The astounding ignorance of the right, the so-called "conservatives" is dangerous and sad. It exposes how little they know about Marxism, not to mention how ignorant they are of the political leanings of their own countrymen. Would that there were real Marxists in the Democratic party! That would be quite a show... real liberals and progressives fighting against the established bourgeois elite, demanding reforms and in general making life hell for Republicans, unlike the roll-over lapdogs who make up the Democratic congressional presence today.

Today's conservatives wouldn't be able to handle real opposition from an organized and motivated left. Where is a man like Eugene V. Debs when we need him?

[mikegoodyearaz85338]

You are right. Cornel West describes himself as a "non-Marxist socialist" (partly due to Marx's opposition to religion) and serves as honorary chair of the Democratic Socialists of America, which he has described as "the first multiracial, socialist organization close enough to my politics that I could join".

[Jane22]

Long live the relevant ideas of Marx.

[choirgirl]

the right wing dems, the racist kkk types, were schmoozed by like-thinking republicans starting in the 60s, when they didnt vote for civil rights, etc.... a lot of them switched parties, which is how the 'solid south' got stolen from the dems.... although, who'd want those racist creeps anyway. they were dems because they had been opposed to the way the republicans in the 19th century handled reconstruction. still racist at heart, they helped implement the black codes and jim crow laws. that being said, the original republicans of a. lincoln fame, were nothing like this bunch of racist homophobic lying hypocrites. it is possible that the current democrats are actually closer to what the republicans intended, since the early dems were of the jeffersonian mold, and much more conservative. when black folk could vote in the south after reconstruction, they were republicans, because that was Lincoln's party. they stayed that way until FDR won them over in the 30s. with the south now overwhelmingly racist republican, black folk continue with dems -- but are outvoted -- when their votes are counted -- by the thugs. neither party even closely resembles the originals; remember teddy roosevelt, trust buster, etc. was a republican. he'd be drummed out of that party today. republicans have traditionally been in favor of small central government, and states rights. dems began to focus on the issue of a strong central government that supports and assists citizens. the republicans have seen that support and assistance as 'meddling'. its their different perspective. as always, rock on brother West.

[rextrek]

...and another thing: KATRINA, nuff said! THE GOP, DOESN'T CARE ABOUT MINORITYS OF ANY STRIPE!

[Changeizgood]

Right On! But we can't wait til they a ll die off if they put in place the same system through the internet employment info highway.
It's been sold to the most unscroupulous insurance companies for denial of benefits coverage through genealogical information put on teh charst. Partners in crime.
Health for profit.

[oldgringo]

YEE CAN NOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MAMMON----
Nor can you embrace "liberty and justice for all" and carry the racist of the "OLD SOUTH" or the REDNECK STATES OF THE WEST....or Mid West, either!
(ROVIAN PLANNING AT ITS BEST....)
It pays to remember that the "ruling elitist establishment as a whole DOES NOT WANT THE RACIAL ISSUE TO BE RESOILVED.... Both RACISM AND RELIGION are the key "wedge issues that can be used to "divide and conquer"...

[Jane22]

Here, Here, we are not racist in Seattle! at least not us lefty, progressive, hang out in the street types!

[Dorian]

The southern strategy, created by Lee Atwater, was to peel off the south from the Democratic Party by appealing to the racism there. That's pretty much the only support the GOP now has so don't expect the presidential candidates to diss that group by appearing at a historically black college.

[maninla]

The southern strategy was not created by Lee Atwater and had been in place long before LA even came on the scene.

But let's be fair about it. As LA lay on his death bed it is said that even he saw the error of his ways and couldn't apologize enough for his actions.

[oafishcad]

Scared of what he had to pay for that crime.

[daddysboy]

I can't figure out which they hate more; black people, or PBS.

[oafishcad]

Gays-none of them went to that debate.

[Jane22]

They hate Air America!

[GhostofBillHicks]

Dr.West,i'm a big fan.
Thanks,brother

[provgrays]

Republicans don't benefit enough from wooing blacks and Hispanics to bother showing up, and why should they? They are the party of the wealthy and gigantic government spending. The GOP is there to give disportionate wealth and advantage to those who already have more than their share.

You expect the GOP to show up for the poor, undereducated and disenfranchised? The party will not be punished enough at the ballot box for them to care.

[Jane22]

Well said, provgrays!

[Raster]

The Republican party HAS made a choice in this matter" it is to embrace W-H-I-T-E voters.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

The Republican party has made the following implicit strategic calculation:

It is easier to mobilize currently non-participating racists than to steal minority votes from the Dems.

The CEO President's party has taken Marketing 101; the only way to increase market share is to poach from another competitor, or expand the market. Given that it is the Dems who are siphoning support from the Republicans, their choice, to them, is clear.

It is easier to pimp their product to patsies, than modify their message.

[Progress08]

The republicans are screwed though. The color of america is changing. As the baby-boomers start to die off en masse, the younger generation (which is decidedly to the left, thankyou GW)will vote Dem. People are leaving the country and moving to the city and to do that they are getting more education. As a result of more education people tend to vote independently which results in more Democratic votes (again, thank you GW and Karl).

The only place where they can maintain their base is in the deep south and the only way to control the South is to steal it. Regardless, after the census in 2010, if the Dems control Congress, they may be able to get Public Law 62-5 changed or repealed and bumped to about 600 members which will help the Dems. As it stands the Republicans have done everything they can to subvert the law. They've been lucky and very criminal. All we have to is abide by it and make sure that the population of the U.S. is adequately represented. We can use Tom DeLay's little redistricting move against them.

[Progress08]

P.S. the Harkin Steak-Fry here in Iowa last weekend.... Awesome. Between 12000 and 14000 people showed up (numbers aren't sure yet). In our wonderful state of Iowa we are already demonstrating the fact that we're pissed off and tired of being pissed on by the Republican destruction of our democracy.