Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama, Race and Civil Rights
Given some of the comments of one of the newly-elected black Republican members of Congress, Allen West of Florida, I would love to be a fly on the wall at those closed strategy sessions.
West said he wants to join the CBC to steer the group from the "failing liberal social welfare policies that have caused the demise of the black community."
Ouch!
The other black Republican, Tim Scott of South Carolina, said he remains undecided. The CBC has always been open to black Republicans but there have only been two Republican members in four decades, which says a lot about how effectively Republicans address issues of importance to black Americans.
The last black Republican in Congress, J.C. Watts, declined to join.
Despite the nonsense being spewed by West, it's still a wise decision to open the caucus to all black members. Here's why:
The Caucus should not discriminate solely based on party. If these two Republicans are serious about having a real conversation about issues facing black America, then they should be admitted to the caucus.
"Should either of the two African-American Republicans recently elected to the House of Representatives request membership in the Congressional Black Caucus they will be welcomed," Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., CBC chairwoman, said in a statement.
Secondly, different viewpoints can be helpful. Cord Jefferson of The Root reports that Scott is the more run-of-the-mill Republican who might be open to conversation.
But West, to be honest, seems like a lost cause -- a black man who has a low opinion of other blacks. He's a certified Tea Party Member who comes complete with their crazy right-wing zeal.
"I'm not gonna ask for permission or whatever," West said. "I think I meet all of the criteria and it's so important that we break down this 'monolithic voice' that continues to talk about victimization and dependency in the black community."
This guy wants to abolish the IRS and the Department of Education. He said that "institutional racism is dead" and that President Obama should "be a man" and that he "can't stand [Obama]." He also admitted to firing a gun near the head of an Iraqi prisoner to get information out of him. That's simply not something to brag about.
Despite his craziness, West should still be admitted to the CBC. He has a lot to learn if he thinks that dependency and victimization are the reason the number of black men in prison in this country is so disproportionate to our population.
He also needs to be educated about how institutional racism may seem dead because it is so embedded into our society. That sort of racism is hidden and reveals itself in not so obvious ways, like the assumption that blacks are less intelligent than whites and are more likely to commit crimes.
I say the CBC should bring West in, sit him down, and give him a good education. He needs it.