In my previous article concerning the historical significance of where the final presidential debate was held, I cited how the voters in the Village of Hempstead elected the first African-American mayor here on Long Island; James Garner. When he ran for his first term as mayor, I do not remember racism being part of any campaign against him. In fact he along with many other prominent figures within the black community were members of the Hempstead Republican club. I know this since I was once a member of that club and often attended their meetings.
At that time, it was a far different Republican Party and not the party that one sees today. It was then a party of ideas and issues and not about the color of one’s skin. Now that was the party I was proud of as we came together every year to celebrate our Lincoln’s Day Ball.
As I cited in my previous article, James Garner when he was the mayor of Hempstead lived and breathed our village and did not care who you were or what race you belonged to. As an Irish/German Catholic, I do remember campaigning for him and did so proudly. His campaign was one of issues and how best to serve the Village of Hempstead. He had a new vision for my village and engaged us all. Does that sound familiar. I do miss that Republican Party.
So, as I look around at the racism coming out of this new and reprehensible Republican Party, I want to ask how African-Americans who are members of this party can stand silent concerning the racism directed at Senator Barack Obama. Who are you--cowards?!
When Hillary Clinton remarked about breaking that glass ceiling, Senator Barack Obama’s goal is to break a cement one and that is meritorious. To young African-Americans, he is their hero and to older ones as well who never thought they would see this illustrious day in our shared history. Barack Obama is to be cheered and not jeered for taking us all on this amazing journey.
Yes, we are all individuals with our own opinions on which direction this country should go and race should not enter into it. As our Declaration of Independence cites, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”
I would like to know where the prominent African-Americans/Republicans are to shoot down this racism. Do you have no spine at this historical juncture? Why are you silent?
To former Secretary of State, Colin Powell where is your voice as one reads, Florida GOP Fundraiser Sends Email Joke about Killing Barack and Michelle Obama? Contained within this article, you will read, “Al Austin, a longtime, high-level Republican fundraiser from Tampa, today sent to his list of political contacts an e-mail containing a joke that refers to the assassination of Barack Obama…” When you were in the military, you served under the Commander in Chief without question. Barack Obama stands on the door-step in history to become the first African-American to be elected to the highest office in the land and it is still your duty as a former military member to speak up to silence these racists.
Where is former congressmen, Alan Keyes to scream out concerning this article, Inland GOP mailing depicts Obama's face on food stamp? This shocking article reports, “The October newsletter by the Chaffey Community Republican Women, Federated says if Obama is elected his image will appear on food stamps -- instead of dollar bills like other presidents. The statement is followed by an illustration of "Obama Bucks" -- a phony $10 bill featuring Obama's face on a donkey's body, labeled "United States Food Stamps."
I know that there are many more incidents of racism out there and many other Republican members who are African-American and yet their silence is deafening. Now is your time to speak up and to condemn these instances of hate and to speak out against your party for doing so. One more thing: How can you still be a member of this Republican Party who treats a member of your own race as second-class citizen? What does that say of you?
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
