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Feb. 24, 2005 Ken Hughes’ article on the relationship between blacks and the Republican Party is an exercise in arrogance and buffoonery. Sorry old chum, but I gotta call ‘em like I see ‘em. Its not so much what Republicans did for blacks, as Ken asserts,; it is what blacks fought for and earned only to find out we are still considered second class citizens. No matter how much cotton we baled, lynchings we suffered or military service we’ve given to this country, both Republicans and Democrats viewed blacks in a similar light. But for the sake of argument, let’s say that Ken is correct in his assumption that the GOP is this benevolent old boys network. Let’s say that they have done much to further the cause of blacks. Must we forever be reminded of it? It’s like the person who extends a helping hand only to shout to the world, “Look how kind I am!” Blacks are not ungrateful, we just won’t spend the rest of our lives singing the praises of “the party of Lincoln,” which is now “the party of the Bush boys,” whom most blacks distrust. Black America owes white people nothing—period. Ken believes that blacks are shunning the Republican Party. However, the fact is that the number of blacks partaking in Republican politics is on the upswing, not just among black professionals, but blacks from every stratum. While the numbers still pale in comparison to those who are registered Democrats, the elephant party can no longer take black votes for granted. Most Republicans fail to realize how much their agenda appeals to black folks. But since black votes aren’t needed, Republicans don’t waste their time or resources campaigning for them. Yes, there was a time when blacks voted Republican in overwhelming numbers, but the political process evolved, as did black voting habits and the pendulum swung the other way. Ken wrote that Republicans gave blacks, “The emancipation proclamation, the civil rights bill, the voting rights bill, and more recently a redefining of welfare add them all together and they spell [opportunity.] These are things Democrats have given Blacks, welfare, public housing, ADC, lowering educational standards by accommodating the perceived inferior intellect of Blacks.” First of all, no one gave blacks anything. That was paid for in the form of blood, sweat and tears. Second, As for the Emancipation Proclamation, Civil Rights and Voting Rights acts—these are freedoms all humans are worthy of. Republicans had no moral imperative to enact legislation beneficial to blacks. Lincoln was a racist who was out to preserve the union and nothing more. In the 60s and 70s the Civil Rights movement was exposed to the world. This raised the question, how could the U.S. claim to be the “land of the free” when there were millions of people of African descent who could share in the so-called “American dream”? As for entitlement programs, these things came to fruition not for the benefit of black people, and to insinuate as much is ignorant and insulting. However, these programs were beneficial in that they provided an economic foothold for many. Let me reiterate that these programs were necessary to assist all poor people, not just blacks. Affirmative Action made it so that people of color could pass through doors otherwise closed to them. For the most part, these programs time has come and gone, at least in their original forms. Ken rambles on: “When Lincoln was assassinated and Democrats took over the government the first thing they did was take back the 40 acres and the mule.” How could they have taken back what was never given? It wasn’t just Democrats who blocked such a proposal. “The Federal, State, and Local Governments have committed enough money to eliminate poverty to make every Black in America a millionaire several times over.” By the same token (no pun intended), blacks have given enough free labor, taxes and military service to where Affirmative Action shouldn’t be part of the equation. Blacks have proved themselves in all walks of life when given the opportunity, but racism and nepotism oftentimes prevents us from getting a chance to prove our mettle. And for the record, there are more whites receiving federal entitlements than there are blacks. And let us not forget corporate handouts—few if any, which land in the laps of black businessmen. That ought to be enough to tell you those systems were not created for us, as your misguided missive would suggest. Kenny, your next comment is not only laughable, but blatantly racist as well: “There can only be limited answers, ether the people put in charge to administer the money are incompetents or Blacks are stealing it and spending it foolishly.” This statement comes from the same man who called Sean Penn an “asshole.” Here are a few more inane, invalid and ignorant comments from the Ken: “If Blacks are discriminated against in America it’s of their own making.” Yeah, I guess we swam over here looking for jobs, kinda liked the place and decided to pick cotton to earn our keep. “Black leaders have reached beyond their piece of the pie by taking a big bit out of everyone else’s.” What you fail to realize is that it shouldn’t be whites who determine how big our slice is. “The few thinking Blacks, those voting Republican…” have you ever heard anything as racist and disgusting as that pile of garbage? Ken closes his screeching with the most grandiose, self-serving spoonful of schlock I’ve ever read: “Whites have busted their collective a**s for 50 years trying to make things equal now it’s time for blacks to get off their collective a**s and make things equal.” Ken, if you believe that the first part of your sentence is true, then it is whited who have failed black America, which is why the betterment of the race should be left up to blacks, and not tired, know-nothings like you and your ilk. As for you having “many friends in the Black community,” that has to be a lie. If by some chance it isn’t, show them your article and I’m sure all of that will change. Black nationalist Maulana Karenga wrote, “membership in the black community requires more than physical presence (and) blackness is three things color, culture and CONSCIOUSNESS.” [emphasis mine]. So maybe these “friends” of yours simply have black skin and lack the other two qualifications. After all, you wrote that they are, “people who if not for their skin color wouldn’t be recognizable at a KKK picnic.” If so, that doesn’t make them black—that makes them even whiter and more mixed up than you. And black people will “get over it” on our own terms. We will not allow an intellectual flyweight like you to set the parameters and the timetable. "It is better to be thought a fool than to post an article at Useless Knowledge and remove all doubt." You might want to remember that so as not to expose your ignorance in a worldwide forum...again. ------------ About the author: Timothy Stelly is a 46-year old California native with a wide variety of interests-from fishing to politics, which have a lot in common: Both require you to deal with worms and most of your time is spent idling. He is a former Democrat, believing that Party represents outdated ideas. He is officially registered as an Independent, choosing to keep his options open. Timothy is also the author of more than 80 screenplays and novels, two of which have been "published": "Tempest In The Stone" and "The Malice Of Cain", both available through PublishAmerica. He defines his writing style as "Hip-hop fiction; a cross between Richard Pryor and Richard Wright." His UK columns is written in a hard-edged style, but he is not yet a curmudgeon or a conservative. (Is that redundant?) After all, one of his favorite movies is "The Adventures of Milo and Otis." stellbread0.tripod.com Email: stellbread@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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