As an African American Republican who has been a member of the party for over 13-years, one of the big irritations I have are with other Black Republicans who are apologists for actions and statements made by white leaders in the Republican Party that are clearly racist and exclusionary. It is highly frustrating to see someone like former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell say there is a "hypersensitivity" by the media when it comes to issues of racism and implies the Barack the Magic Negro thing is not that big of a deal. Blackwell's statement comes as he vies for the RNC Chairmanship.
I wish the very accomplished, well respected and articulately spoken Mr. Blackwell would wake up! Chip Saltsman, his competitor also running for the RNC Chairmanship is not a fine person for sending other white colleagues and members of the RNC this CD.
Mr. Blackwell and other African Americans that believe a statement like this is not that important or remain conveniently silent, please allow me to tell you why the word "Negro" is harmful. The word Negro is Spanish for black. The Spanish language comes from Latin, which has its origins in Classical Greek. The word Negro in Greek is derived from the root word necro, meaning dead. I can see how someone racist like Saltsman and others might think it would be magic to see a walking dead man like Barack Obama become elected as President of the United States. If I had to ask Mr. Blackwell a question, I would ask, what type of Negro do you think they might see you as?
I am not a Black Republican who screams racism at everything that has a twist of negativity when it comes to African Americans or people of color. It is true black folks in particular can get a bit too petty sometimes and yes over react. However, in this instance select members of the Republican Party leadership who continue their overt assaults against President Elect Obama is not hyperbole. This song should be insulting to anyone who has any form of civility and respect for others not like themselves.
If the Republican Party is going to ever become serious about attracting and maintaining its people of color, then leaders like Blackwell must stop prancing around this problem inside the party, speak up and condemn these statements and divisive actions once and for all.
Perhaps since President Elect Obama will be sworn in next month, this is a ploy by Blackwell to garner support for chairmanship? The truth is Blackwell or any black running for this post can't have it both ways - on one hand support racist stupidity by being silent or playing it down, and on another hand try to leverage the fact that a Black man going into the White House is an opportunity for a black man to lead the Republican Party.
Maybe Republicans are astute enough to see the value in this strategy. However, in the end, I do not think the white establishment in the party want to or even plan to let go of the reigns. They can't or won't even imagine the "new" face of the RNC as black. That is too much blackness in one year already.
Additionally, another real point about being a National Party Chairman is that you must have the capability of raising tons of money. African Americans like Blackwell and others like former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele wanting the position have not proven they are money machines. As a matter of fact, there has not been any African American Republican candidate of prominence who has demonstrated a capability to consistently raising or has access to millions. However, the other side of the aisle has - Ron Brown when he was DNC Chair did it so well he forced the hand of former President Bill Clinton to make him Commerce Secretary, and of course Billion Dollar Man himself Barack Obama. This is a small diversion to the point of this article, but a point that must be made nonetheless about how white Republicans are also thinking.
Therefore, since there are also other realities to this position, turning a blind eye to racism will not get Blackwell or any person of color closer to becoming elected head of the RNC. To Blackwell and Steele and others who are black and "powerful," and can make a difference, try having just a little bit more General Colin Powell style backbone for a change. It does a mind and soul good.
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Fox News Airs "Magic Negro" Message On New Year's Broadcast
Think Progress caught a "magic negro" reference during the New Years Eve broadcast on Fox News. Viewers were allowed to text in messages that scrolled...
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Yvonne,
This is a very eloquent piece, but I was patiently awaiting the part where you describe why you are an African American who supports the Republicans. I know it must be difficult explaining this position because many people see it as an oxymoron. I can never make sense. I am an African American and seriously cannot understand why any African American would support that party, even if they are socially or fiscally conservative. I wouldn't want to be in that position, as I know it would grow increasingly annoying because many blacks on the right are thought to be uncle Toms.
One reason you stated in an earlier response regarding your party affiliation was that "There are philosophical constructs and ideals I greatly identify with being Republican." Which I can understand, but how do you deal with giving those "philosophical constructs and ideals" such great weight, that you could support a party that...
What is right is for Republicans (even if it is a few) to always challenge and call out the party for its racism and wrong doings; i.e. like Colin Powell and others have. Not run away from the party, but if necessary be a thorn.
I know this is very hard for you and others to wrapped your head around because your thought process is so very one sided. As you would want me to see how you raise question after question about my being in the Republican Party still. Open up your mind and see how people in the party might remain Republican for purposes other than your assumptions on what you think or feel, but have no real knowledge about.
Thank you for your comments again.
I think your attack on me is ad hominem without any substance, which is something you are trying to ask in the same argument. Does it not seem a bit ironical that you cannot have a civil discourse without attacking? Can you point out what in my post was "one-sided?" I am still floundering in your "reason" to stay in the party other than "Collin Powell does it so it must be good for me too.
Finally, If you are so sure that I have "no real knowledge about" can you please educate me what would be "real" knowledge that I and others are lacking?
1. While Ms. Davis attempts to articulate why she is aligned with the Republican party, her reasons for such alignment sounds like right wing talking points rather than substantive differences between the two political parties. That she is fiscally conservative and somewhat of a libertarian do not automatically exclude the democrats because there are many of us who are of the same mindset. I would have been more impressed with something she spoke about with conviction about the republican party and her decision to stay in it than a cursory lipservice. However, I respect her individual choice of being in whatever party she chooses to be in.
2. When people point out the excesses of the worst of the Republican party, Ms. Davis is quick to respond that she too disagrees with such excesses and she brings her presence to speak "truth to the power." And that she cannot be held responsible for the actions of leaders in her party with whom she has no connections. This seems like a flighty argument to me because it lacks the conviction of her beliefs. If you are not identifying with the excesses of the worst and don't want to be associated with the leaders who create such excesses, then when is it do you get to say "enough?"
Happy New Year. You have missed the point I was originally making and you have decided to engage in something else. What is a Right Wing talking point? Is that the same as what you might be writing? A left wing talking point? If you had carefully read the replies to my comments, then you would see where my convictions are related to why I am in the party and my views. Since I have already now three times discussed the notion of fiscal conservativeness, libertarians and Democrats versus Republicans, it would be a waste of time to repeat that again.
Your judgment is catisgating rather than analytical. In your second point when you discuss my so called argument about not being held responsible for the actions of leaders of which I have no connections, where is the logic to this statement? Where are the facts? How do you know? What do you know? You are only guessing and making ad hoc statements.
Finally, I reply to the comments because I think it is important to let people know you are reading their view points - good or bad, logical or illogical, truth versus conjecture. Thank you.
2. right wing talking points are essentialistic points that create a binary between fiscal and social conservatism vs liberalism. what i have stated are no one essentialistic points but a troubling of multiple points that exist in a continuum for liberals. for example to assume that democrats are not pro life or that they are not for fiscal conservatism would be right wing talking points. you state these points as those that are ideologically aligned with the Republican party.
3. judgment by definition is castigating to some extent but it does not require that it will be devoid of analysis. my suggestion is to read a bit closely what my second point states. it states points based on your comments as you have claimed in this post to not be held accountable for the excesses of the worst of the leaders in your party. No one expects you to be responsible for any of them not even me if you read closely to what I said. My question is where do you draw the line in the sand to say enough is enough and these people and their actions cannot represent the party that I am aligned with philosophically or ideologically? what would that breaking point be for you if there is any?
And as you may know the list goes ON and ON and ON. But many of the things I just stated had to do with race, their atrocities range so much further on so many levels and I didn't want to get sidetracked. I don't know what you believe is the positive side of this party, or even what it is you see that is forward-looking. Do you believe the demographic of the Republican party is a reflection of America in the 21st Century? I'm sure you do not, and they are working increasingly hard to keep it that way. I'm sure the Republican party has a moderate wing, but it is very quiet and does not have a voice. It's prominent voices are very far to the right, and this has drifted the entire party further to the right. The point of my post is, with the party doing so much harm to so many people, how could any sensible person support them? Especially an African American with which they take such pronounced positions directly against. How can you support this? Everytime you vote for them you heartily endorse these actions.
One reason you stated in an earlier response regarding your party affiliation was that "There are philosophical constructs and ideals I greatly identify with being Republican." Which I can understand, but how do you deal with giving those "philosophical constructs and ideals" such great weight, that you could support a party that...
Has been doing all it can do to ENCOURAGE the racism that you condone.
CONTINUES to use fear and divisiveness to conjure up votes.
Uses TORTURE to gain (false) information to create more war and further violate the Geneva Convention, causing more misery, pain and suffering to many around the world.
Demonizes the poor and ANYONE who attempts to fight poverty in this country.
Does everything possible, legally and illegally, to prevent minorities from voting. Continuously creating false controversies like ACORN, to allow them to challenge votes coming from black neighborhoods and others that lean Democratic. This is similar to how they stole the election in 2000.
Do NOT believe in Democracy.
Sees the response to Hurricane Katrina as outstanding and doesn't believe the government should have intervened to help those who were trapped. Showed absolute apathy to those thousands of Americans who died because they were of another race and class.
Do not have any wishes to include minorities in their party besides those necessary to shield them from cries of racism after their actions clearly and overtly demonstrate it.
It's a bit perturbing to have to characterized your party affiliation with your race. "Black" Republican....I wouldn't refer to myself as a "Female" Independent/Democrat.Strange.
I would not characterize myself as any party, but I would describe my party affiliation and race in a written piece to make a point. It is a fact and it helps to make a point. No one walks around with a sign that says these things, but it is who I am as well as a i.e. WMBE - Women Minority Business Enterprise. who also sees and experiences injustices while running a business Party affiliation with race is not the point at all. Thank you for your point however. Be well.
Yvonne R. Davis HuffPost Blogger.
Is that about right?
Party affiliation with race seem to be the very point of this post since you are discussing Mr. Blackwell and Obama .
And while I also consider having to characterize party affiliation with race as a bit "strange", to quote Langston Hughes: "I must think of myself as black because you think of yourself as white".
Thank you for your comments and Happy New Year. Your label about me is quite inappropriate. As it would wrong for me to label you based upon your name Neocon666. Based upon your name, perhaps I should be concerned about your belief system.
Additionally, the real issue is not my speaking my truth about this issue, is your dislike from a person who happens to be Republican and not like yourself.
Tell me what defines white? I ask this because you have entered into a common pathology that certain African Americans go into when they are just furious about an issue without analyzing it properly or clearly reviewing what is being discussed.
However, then again you may not be African American. If this is the case, then you are certainly not qualified to label a person.
I appreciate your thoughts just the same.
Yvonne R. Davis HuffPost Blogger
Thank you for your question. If I were to run from something everytime I saw divisiveness, trouble or problems, I would not be a part of too many things. My reasons for being a Republican has nothing to do with Blackwell or the racists in the party. And as I have written and publicly said before, it is necessary for Republicans to have persons in the party to speak truth to power and call them to task. If I were a Democrat I would call them out when they falter and they have at times, but not nearly like Republicans. I am socially and fiscally conservative, but very libertarian in many areas well.
Happy New Year!
Yvonne R. Davis HuffPost Blogger.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/820110/posts
Do they have to burn a flag onstage for you to get the message that you're not wanted?
Firstly, my being a Republican has nothing to do with the hostility of others in the party. I think it is important for African Americans to be in the party if they have ideological beliefs that are aligned, but it does not mean a black person should not call them out assertively and stand up. The problem is most won't. Colin Powell is not leaving the Republican Party. If he did, he would be running and so would I and I won't.
Secondly, I am not a Republican for acceptance from or by white people; as I hope others are not Democrats for that reason. Racism extends well beyond the Republican Party. I have not been "promoted" for "their" agend. I only support agendas I can support The truth is a lot of Republicans who are racist are not very concerned about me or any one black, they are just racist. The other fact is one does not have to be a white Republican to be fake and phony and smile in a black person's face if they are racism.
True the McCain campaign was not inclusive, but they also knew the black vote was going his way anyway. Could he have done something to cut into the 96% black support for Obama; who really knows? But, if tried to do something and meant it, then perhaps some of the things that came out so viscerally hateful and anti black would not have happened.
Yvonne R. Davis HuffPost Blogger
Have you noticed where that "idealogy" has gotten us. It started with Ronald Reagan. I guess you too earn 6 figures; get a clue, America is falling off of a cliff because of republican GREED. Please spare me the nonesense of the "trickle down" economic idealogy. It's a mind game the republicans play with the "less informed" voters to keep them as a voting block. They actually believe the "free market" will enable them to be RICH within a few years. Go back and view/listen to John McCain's message to "Joe the Plumber" at the debate. He said, "Joe, you will be rich". These people actually live by that. The language has been around for decades. Karma is quite appropriate for the republican party. It is what they deserve. BTW, they will never accept you for who you are, and no other African-American either. As you previously stated, they fear our knowledge. That is exactly why Gen Colin Powell was "dissed" and used by George W. Bush & Co.
Yes, many do want it this way, but the moderate wing of the party needs to speak up! Wouldn't it be shocking if Blackwell got the Chairmanship though? Thank you so much for your statement and what you wrote.
Yvonne R. Davis - HuffPost Blogger
I'm not a Republican but thank you for speaking out. Black Republicans need to make their voices heard or the nonsense is never going to stop!
I'm African American, and there are Republican stands on some issues that I can relate to. However, there's no way the Republican party can count on my support or my vote as long the Republican leadership continues to let me know via folks like Saltsman that they really don't want me around.
If Republicans can show me they're serious about being inclusive then MAYBE we can talk. Until then I'm still a registered Dem.
Keep it up and thank you!
Thank you for your kind words. I am glad you understand and appreciate the piece. Happy New Year.
Yvonne R. Davis - HuffPost Blogger
Even more, I admire your well considered and thoughtful responses to comments here. I disagree with some of your stated opinions, but I respect them in spite of the disagreement.
The current group of republicans have nothing to do with fiscal conservatism. They are 'borrow and spend' republicans.
The only time the government has gotten smaller and the budget was balanced for the past 40 years was while Clinton was president. If republicans are fiscal conservatives, then why does government expand and the national debt increase whenever they occupy the White House? The republicans have been guilty of false advertising for at least three decades.
I am a fiscally conservative democrat. We sorely need people like Everett Dirkson and Barry Goldwater that were real fiscal conservatives and that knew that supply side economics was a scam.
Supply side economics has been thoroughly debunked as a fraud.
I look forward to more articles from you.
Calling Mr. Blackwell "accomplished" and "respected" illustrates your absolute (pro)Republican bigotry. Blackwell is the prototypical scorched-earth 1996-2008 Republican. His role in Ohio will earn him a footnote in history.
Blackwell sold his soul and office to become Governor. Like Florida in 2000, Bushies bought the Secretary of State in Ohio in 2004, doing everything legal and illegal to reduce minority turnout or a legitimate vote tally. Blackwell's targeted purgie of black voters was reprehensible. Add a voting machine that prevented recounts and chair of the Bush reelection committee, and that's his accomplishment. Even if he could conduct a recount, Blackwell refused. Every study showed the variance between polls and actual counts contradicted every statistical model. The probability of a legitimate count was zero. That didn't bother Blackwell.
He's a hack, bought and paid. To see how he is "respected," look at his Gubernatorial run: 20% of the African-American votes, about the same as Bush in 2004. Pathetic.
Perhaps if you had overcome your bigotry of better, smarter, accomplished Democrats in 00/04 we wouldn't waste time on toadies like Blackwell. And saved 7,000 American lives, 30,000 grievous injuries, a trillion dollars in taxpayer bailout dollars, thousands of jobs, the national treasury, and the good will of 75% of the planet.
Before casting holier-than-thou stones at Blackwell (who is beneath contempt), look into your own apologist behavior for contemptible people you support because an (R) follows their name.
Thanks. Firstly, before you cast labels on who is a bigot, please make sure you apply the proper definition. Whether you like it or not, Ken Blackwell is accomplished and well spoken. This is a fact. In terms of legal or illegal issues, that is a matter of ethics. There are many accomplished and well spoken persons who are not ethical. It is not my job to get into this with this article. Since you appear to be more knowledgeable about that issue, I would defer to you.
In this piece, I did not discuss his poor Gubernatorial run; of which I am aware. I felt it was not needed to make the point. Again bigotry is misapplied - "A bigot is a person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own, and bigotry is the corresponding state of mind." Your points post this takes the discussion in a totally different arena. I am tolerant of Blackwells feelings, but I surely don't agree and have a right to say so.
You can't have it both ways. On one hand I am being "holier than thou," which is comical to me since I am simply saying Blackwell is totally wrong to support racism and on the other hand you say he is beneath contempt - which is a very self righteous.
An apologist is one who takes on a defense of an issue or something that has happened.
Yvonne R. Davis Huff Post Blogger
If the GOP wants to put Mr. Blackwell at the head of the RNC, I say GO FOR IT! Under his stewardship, the GOP would become more divisive, more retrograde than ever.