Race Card Played by Jokers

Race Card Played by Jokers

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

September 1, 2011

Putting our race cards on the table, if the CBC didn’t stand for the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), it would have been disbanded years ago.

But clearly there is a double standard in that some racism is tolerated. During the last Congress Rep. Stephen Cohen (D-TN) “applied” for membership with the CBC noting his district has a majority black population. I have no use for Cohen due to incendiary remarks likening the GOP to Nazis, and he, being Jewish, should know better. Cohen was soundly denied membership in the 40-year-old CBC. Were the tables turned all holy hell would break lose if a black Congressman ended up on the outside looking in.

It is the more recent behavior by specific CBC members that is bringing embarrassment to its 43 member rank and file as a whole. Leading off this hit parade is Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who said less than two weeks ago, that, “as far as I’m concerned, the TEA Party can go straight to hell.” Aside from conservative talk radio and repeated showing of clips on the Fox News Channel, did Waters’ inflammatory remarks see the light of day anywhere else?

What if a TEA Party member suggested the CBC could go straight to hell? Cue the pitchfork and torch brigade running through the streets looking for that TEA Party person. Charges of racism abound would be flying out of the mouths of the CBC faster than toilet paper flying off the shelves of supermarkets during the threat of a hurricane.

Worse than Waters’ outburst was the vicious racially charged invective launched by Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN). “Some of them in Congress right now with this tea party movement would love to see you and me hanging on a tree,” said Carson last week, adding that he neither regrets his words nor will apologize for them. “I stand on the truth of what I spoke,” added Carson.

What truth Congressman Carson? What PROOF do you have that there are members of Congress who not only support or are supported by the TEA Party, and wish to see you and your CBC colleagues hanging on trees?

In the absence of proof not only should Carson be censured by the whole House, but his constituents in Indiana’s Seventh District should seek to recall the second term member. Again, if the tables were turned and such wild accusations were flung about willy-nilly there would be demands of resignations from the allegedly offending member.

Last year there was an accusation made by Rep. John L. Lewis (D-GA) that he had been spat upon by a TEA Party member. This accusation, while never proven to be true, continues to be levied by CBC members and other supporting liberals.

For a president who suggested as a candidate his would be a post-racial administration, there has been more racial divisiveness since he took office than in recent or even distant memory.

Enough is enough. This administration has been a dismal failure and in lieu of any real accomplishments on which to hang their hat, the race card is dealt more often than hands of blackjack in a Vegas casino.

GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain called the recent antics by the CBC “a new low using the race card.” This after Cain suffered the slings and arrows of ultra-left so-called entertainer Janeane Garofalo who said Cain was paid to run for president by the GOP simply because he is black. Once again, if the tables were turned, oh, wait, the white liberal is ALLOWED to castigate a black conservative because they are such an anomaly.

Col. Allen West (R-FL), the lone black Republican member of the CBC said he is considering leaving the group because of their “racially motivated rhetoric.” Rep West should not leave the CBC, but instead remain their lone voice of reason and a thorn in their sides. West has been touted as a potential vice presidential candidate in 2012 and is a rising star in the GOP.

West would be my first choice now that Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) has decided to seek the US Senate seat being vacated due to Sen. Jon Kyl’s retirement. However, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) seems to have the inside track on securing the number two slot on the GOP ticket next year.

The race card needs to be discarded in deference to civility and discussing real issues and solutions. The American people – all the American people, black, brown and white deserve no less.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer and educator living in Westfield, IN.