“National NRAAC Chair says, ‘Mr. Limbaugh, when there is a tragedy of this magnitude where so many lives are lost, and people are left devastated, it is not a time for political ignorance.”
__ NRAAC, Nat’l Chair
The National Republican African American Caucus extends its heartfelt prayers and sympathy for the people of Haiti.
“We pray for the strength of the Haitian people, and we seek God’s grace and tender mercies for them during this tragic hour”, says National Chair Dr. Jean Howard-Hill. “You cannot help but feel their pain and bear their sorrow and grief. It is a heartbreaking tragedy which will take the concern and efforts of all of us to mend and restore the lives of those affected.”
In an e-mail to all NRAAC members, Dr. Howard-Hill has urged each individual to do what they can financially to help, and equally as important to keep the people of Haiti in their hearts and prayers.
National Chair Howard-Hill also chides some of those who recently made comments regarding this tragedy.
“In many ways it also is tragic that we have become so partisan as a nation, and so mean spirited within the Republican Party, that we cannot call a truce long enough to share in the grief and loss of life of those in Haiti. Although I am confident that not every Republican shares in the sentiments of either Rush Limbaugh or Pat Robertson, it is nevertheless troubling to hear it coming from my party – one which boasts of a moral majority. ”
“I am so ashamed”, she says “of the position some who have dubbed themselves as Republican voices have taken at a time when the best of the compassionate spirit of those who are Republicans should be actively engaged.
“Mr. Limbaugh, when there is a tragedy of this magnitude where so many lives are lost, and people are left devastated, it is not at time for political ignorance.”
She says that the remarks by Rush Limbaugh are totally off basis, and will serve to continue to weaken the Republican Party even more.
“You cannot make these kinds of remarks and not expect a frown and a response of utter dismay”, says Howard-Hill.
She says to both Limbaugh and Pat Roberson, “This is the time to show our Republican moral fiber. If ever there was a time to be compassionate, it is now.”
The National Chair also says, that the membership of the NRAAC was pleased to see former President G. W. Bush accept the humanitarian olive branch to work together with former President Bill Clinton, extended to both presidents by President Barack Obama.
“President Bush knows well the burden that falls on the shoulder of leadership during this type of tragedy, and I believe that if he could relive Katrina, he too would do the same as President Obama. So there is no need to make this political by either party. There is nothing political about President Obama’s swift move to send aid, nor is it an opportunity to criticize President Bush for what has happened in the past. It is this day and this hour, which will define who we are and who we have become as we learn from those teachable moments from America’s past.” She says.
“It speaks well of all three to see them put aside partisan politics and see the tremendous needs of the Haitian people. To label this as anything else other than positive is a misreading of what it truly means to be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others during their hour of tragedy.”
She very clearly concludes that, “Neither Rush Limbaugh, nor Pat Robinson speaks for the membership of the National Republican African American Caucus regarding Haiti”.
[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics programs taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law.]
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Salute to a Republican Legacy – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. requires that we strike a delicate balance on the issue of race relations in American. We have to be careful not to use the race card, but also be diligent in ensuring that the racial climate never returns to those dark and shameful days of America’s history, where a race of people were hated solely because of the color of their skin.” __ NRAAC, Nat’l Chair
The National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] celebrates the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with both pride and commitment to continue to strive for an America and a political environment where all people can be a part of the process, and can have a place at the table, as full participants of the world greatest government – the American democratic system of government.
“We salute Dr. King Jr. as an extraordinary man, gifted with leadership and the ability to articulate the plight of Black America at a time in history where Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination was at its heights. Yet he so eloquently and convincingly preached a message of loving even those who openly displace such unjustified hate and violence for the Black race.”
She says, “Being that our organization is over 85 percent clergy, this is encouraging to us, and sets the example for how we can make strives within the political arena to open the doors of participation with the Republican Party and within America’s political system.”
Howard-Hill says that the NRAAC sees this model as a powerful one. However, it also must be coupled with speaking truth and moving forward to take civil rights to the next level.
“His life, his leadership, his devotion and his sacrifice to the cause of civil rights for African Americans can never be forgotten, says NRAAC Chair Dr. Jean Howard-Hill says. “He was not only a man of conviction, but also a man who sought to gather us as one nation under God, rather than divide and set us apart by race. Now we must make sure that we pick up that same torch and march forward into America’s future and ensure that none of his sacrifices were in vain.”
In addressing the issues of race in America today, Howard-Hill says, “The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. requires that we strike a delicate balance on the issue of race relations in America. We have to be careful not to use the race card, but also be diligent in ensuring that the racial climate never returns to those dark and shameful days of America’s history, where a race of people were hated solely because of the color of their skin.”
Howard-Hill says that there also were many White and Jewish Americans who stood tall during this era, sending a signal to the South and even to the world that hatred because of the color of one’s skin was no longer acceptable in America. For them we are grateful because they too are a part of the legacy of freedom. Without them, we could not have broken the fetters that kept us bound and resulted in our being treated as second-class citizens of this great country.
“We also owe it to Dr. King Jr., and to all the other great men and women of slavery and the civil rights era, many of whom will never be celebrated for what they went through and even the sacrifices of life for freedom, to maintain and treasure that freedom”, says Howard-Hill.
Howard-Hill encourages all Republicans to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr.’s legacy by racial bridge building and inclusion of all races within the Republican Party.
“Without the Republican Party reflecting America’s rainbow of races, we are a party destined for demise”, says Howard-Hill.
[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics programs taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law. She also is ordained clergy and heads The Healing Place Ministries International, overseeing 47 ministries throughout Africa.]
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
There is Hope in This Generation
In concluding this four-part series, the National Republican African American Caucus Chair Dr. Jean Howard-Hill says, that despite those issues with race within the Republican Party, there is hope in this generation.
“One of the most encouraging signs I see as I work with high school and college students”, she says, “is hope for an America where race is no longer an issue. Many of them have grown up in integrated climates. They have gone to day care and kindergarten with children of other races since they were toddlers. They have slept over at each other’s house. They have played on the same soccer, baseball, softball and football teams. They have marched in the same bands and they have shared the same music and slang. All of this has contributed to a more integrated culture for this generation, which makes segregation and racial separation something which to them are foreign and distasteful.”
Howard-Hill says that the process of political socialization encompasses all of these things. “Our social and economic backgrounds, who we associate with, our parents, our religious beliefs, our educational and social levels and everything else that touches our lives impacts who we are, and are all a part of the process which helps us to form our political opinions. When this is positive, and is rid of racism, it changes the political landscape.”
She says that she also sees a change in both students and their parents. “In times past, racial hatred was taught and passed down to children. But now, there are more White parents who do not condone this kind of propaganda and behavior. As their children interact with children of other races and ethnicities, so do they. This has allowed fruitful opportunities to better understand and have an appreciation for racial diversity.”
Also she says she has seen a greater acceptance and more tolerant attitude towards those who are different not only racially, but also in other areas of social diversity.
She says that with this generation, this is making this kind of racism, mean spiritedness and hypocrisy, ancient history, which is a good thing.
“Even if we cannot be moved to change, they will and already have begun that transition.”
“Also, many of the younger generation are able to do the research and to venture into vast areas of knowledge on the internet where they are able to research all sides of the issues. With this, they are able to better form more knowledgeable and factual opinions that are not clouded by rhetoric and emotions.”
“The students I have taught, I have encouraged them to do the research and to not be afraid to express different opinions, so long as it is factually based. I also have taught the need to engage in civil debate, where the sole purpose is to reason and to seek ways to better our communities and nation. I am sure there are others within academia who are doing the same. Hopefully, this will inspire this generation to be better citizens than we are. Having this kind of foundational guidance, hopefully, they will become the base and leadership of the Republican Party.”
“All of this means, there is hope in this generation for the return of the true Party of President Lincoln, as well as a more civil political environment, where partisanship does not have to divide us into two nations of hostile and warring political ideologies.”
The National Republican African American Caucus is also working to foster and nurture this change through its efforts that include the National Youth on the Horizon Leadership Summit that involves youth ages 14 - 18 of all races. The Youth Summit will focus on issues and concerns as expressed by youth, and will allow them to offer their advice in finding workable solutions to problems plaguing young Americans. The Summit will include speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and a concert. The admission to the Summit is free and includes complimentary breakfast and lunch.
Another NRAAC effort is the New Generation - New Direction Campaign, which focuses on those from ages 18 to 29. The mission of the project is to build a national political base of young African - Americans that are issue oriented and share some of the same core values of the Republican Party, and are willing to work to address those concerns that impact their present and future. The campaign addresses issues involving economic empowerment, educational attainment, social conditions, global concerns, self-responsibility, and self accountability. It also prepares and encourages this generation to become politically involved as voters, participants in government at all levels, and as candidates for office.
NRAAC also is convening its National and Global Conference, July 8th – 10th, 2010 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 2010 conference theme is: Setting the Republican Agenda to Include people of Spirit and Faith. NRAAC participants and affiliates from across the country will be brought to the table to address a wide range of community, state, national and international issues. Highlighting the event is the National Embrace’s Black Elephant Dinner with speaker, Rev. Johnny Lee Clary, former KKK Grand Dragon of Oklahoma, who also serves as the NRAAC National Embrace Chair. Also special invitation is being sent to President G. W. Bush and President H. W. Bush, along with other Republican leaders. That night’s them is: Extending the Olive Branch.
“It is time to extend the olive branch, and that night we will do all we can to let the Republican Party know that since we are here to stay, we also want our stay in the Republican Party to be one which is harmonious and seeks to build the party and moves it in more positive directions, that are beneficial to the nations and future generations”, say the National Chair.
More information on these projects and events can be found on the NRAAC’s site at http://www.nraacaucus.org.
[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics programs taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law.]
“One of the most encouraging signs I see as I work with high school and college students”, she says, “is hope for an America where race is no longer an issue. Many of them have grown up in integrated climates. They have gone to day care and kindergarten with children of other races since they were toddlers. They have slept over at each other’s house. They have played on the same soccer, baseball, softball and football teams. They have marched in the same bands and they have shared the same music and slang. All of this has contributed to a more integrated culture for this generation, which makes segregation and racial separation something which to them are foreign and distasteful.”
Howard-Hill says that the process of political socialization encompasses all of these things. “Our social and economic backgrounds, who we associate with, our parents, our religious beliefs, our educational and social levels and everything else that touches our lives impacts who we are, and are all a part of the process which helps us to form our political opinions. When this is positive, and is rid of racism, it changes the political landscape.”
She says that she also sees a change in both students and their parents. “In times past, racial hatred was taught and passed down to children. But now, there are more White parents who do not condone this kind of propaganda and behavior. As their children interact with children of other races and ethnicities, so do they. This has allowed fruitful opportunities to better understand and have an appreciation for racial diversity.”
Also she says she has seen a greater acceptance and more tolerant attitude towards those who are different not only racially, but also in other areas of social diversity.
She says that with this generation, this is making this kind of racism, mean spiritedness and hypocrisy, ancient history, which is a good thing.
“Even if we cannot be moved to change, they will and already have begun that transition.”
“Also, many of the younger generation are able to do the research and to venture into vast areas of knowledge on the internet where they are able to research all sides of the issues. With this, they are able to better form more knowledgeable and factual opinions that are not clouded by rhetoric and emotions.”
“The students I have taught, I have encouraged them to do the research and to not be afraid to express different opinions, so long as it is factually based. I also have taught the need to engage in civil debate, where the sole purpose is to reason and to seek ways to better our communities and nation. I am sure there are others within academia who are doing the same. Hopefully, this will inspire this generation to be better citizens than we are. Having this kind of foundational guidance, hopefully, they will become the base and leadership of the Republican Party.”
“All of this means, there is hope in this generation for the return of the true Party of President Lincoln, as well as a more civil political environment, where partisanship does not have to divide us into two nations of hostile and warring political ideologies.”
The National Republican African American Caucus is also working to foster and nurture this change through its efforts that include the National Youth on the Horizon Leadership Summit that involves youth ages 14 - 18 of all races. The Youth Summit will focus on issues and concerns as expressed by youth, and will allow them to offer their advice in finding workable solutions to problems plaguing young Americans. The Summit will include speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and a concert. The admission to the Summit is free and includes complimentary breakfast and lunch.
Another NRAAC effort is the New Generation - New Direction Campaign, which focuses on those from ages 18 to 29. The mission of the project is to build a national political base of young African - Americans that are issue oriented and share some of the same core values of the Republican Party, and are willing to work to address those concerns that impact their present and future. The campaign addresses issues involving economic empowerment, educational attainment, social conditions, global concerns, self-responsibility, and self accountability. It also prepares and encourages this generation to become politically involved as voters, participants in government at all levels, and as candidates for office.
NRAAC also is convening its National and Global Conference, July 8th – 10th, 2010 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The 2010 conference theme is: Setting the Republican Agenda to Include people of Spirit and Faith. NRAAC participants and affiliates from across the country will be brought to the table to address a wide range of community, state, national and international issues. Highlighting the event is the National Embrace’s Black Elephant Dinner with speaker, Rev. Johnny Lee Clary, former KKK Grand Dragon of Oklahoma, who also serves as the NRAAC National Embrace Chair. Also special invitation is being sent to President G. W. Bush and President H. W. Bush, along with other Republican leaders. That night’s them is: Extending the Olive Branch.
“It is time to extend the olive branch, and that night we will do all we can to let the Republican Party know that since we are here to stay, we also want our stay in the Republican Party to be one which is harmonious and seeks to build the party and moves it in more positive directions, that are beneficial to the nations and future generations”, say the National Chair.
More information on these projects and events can be found on the NRAAC’s site at http://www.nraacaucus.org.
[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics programs taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law.]
White Walls of Silence Within the Republican Party Must be Torn Down!
“Whenever you attempt to broach the subject of racism within the Republican Party, it gets so quiet, that you can hear a rat do his business on cotton,” says the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] National Chair, Dr. Jean Howard-Hill.
“This is another one of those ole saying from the South that I got from older Blacks that dates back to my African American slave history”, she says as she defines the meaning of this phrase. “I cleaned it up for use, as in its original form, it literally translates ‘it was so quiet that you could hear a rat piss on cotton’.”
“The phrase was used back in the days of slavery and sharecropping, where after the slaves would end a long day of toiling in the field and had to bring their cotton to be weighed, that because of the harsh penalties they had to pay for coming up short of what the master wanted for that day (which could be in some cases double what was done the day before), that as they waited in line fearing the unbalanced and arbitrary scales of the master, there was nothing but silence. It was a terrifying silence predicated upon the fear that no matter how much was in the sack, they always would claim it lacked. From this terrifying moment, came the saying, ‘it was so quiet that you could hear a rat piss on the cotton’.”
She says that now she uses it to describe what happens when there is an attempt to have an honest and legitimate discussion regarding race within the Republican Party. According to Howard-Hill “Everything goes quiet!” she says “And the white walls of silence go up.”
She also says that since she wrote the book, Black Eyes Shut White Lips Sealed, which tells of the racial disparity within the Tennessee Republican Party, supported by the national GOP, and since the book has circulated among Republicans, it has been kept so quiet, that from 2004 until now, within Republican circles, you actually can hear a rat piss on cotton!
“It just seems strange, she says, that in an environment where those who love taking to the air way to espouse all sorts of non-sense and rhetoric that this has been kept such a hush-hush secret. It is hard to understand why no one, except a few local radio stations have as much as mentioned the book or any Republican has offered any opposition to its well documented contents.”
“I even made sure everyone who needed to have the book, got a free copy of it! She says. “So it is not like the Republican Party or the local media was not aware that it was out there.”
She says that it is not that she wanted to destroy the Party. Instead all that she desired was for someone within the Republican Party to acknowledge the truth of the proof of racism within the Party, and seek to make right the wrong done to African American Republicans. In fact, prior to writing the book, she spent two years trying to get the party to address the issue.
“My initial interest was not in writing a tell-all book. All we wanted was to just be included and allowed to participate in the democratic process in a party in which we shared its core values. That is all we wanted. The book was a therapeutic way for me to ease the pain of silence and discrimination, and to give a wake-up call to the Republican Party that unless it changed, it would become a political party suffering from its own self-contracted leprosy. It also was a way of documenting the history of African American Republicans that could be passed on to the next generation.”
In the book, Howard-Hill tells of an incident where then Governor, Senator Lamar Alexander’s wife, Honey Alexander as the event quest speaker had so gracious supported her 1980 Republican candidacy for State Representative, and a white Republican woman brought her flowers, then took them back, once she realized she was not white. According to her, the woman asked if she could present the flowers to her, but shocked after realizing that she was African American said, “I did not know she was a nigger!” Then took her flowers and left.
The book is filled with many well documented incidents of racism and mean spirited politics that includes the then local GOP Hamilton County Chair, Robin Smith investigating her voting record, and even boasting of having made telephone calls to block the recruitment and acceptance of African Americans within the Republican Party.
“I could not believe that this woman would actually go out of her way to block us from participating. I could not figure it out because I was of the assumption that the Party wanted more African Americans. I was traveling all over the United States bringing in thousands of African Americans within the Party. But I quickly found out that this was not the case. We were not wanted in masses – only just a few at a time, but not in large numbers for fear that it would change the complexion of the party. This was heartbreaking.”
She tells of being required by the past local county chair, Ms. Smith, to get legal permission from the RNC general counsel before she would recognize the NRAAC and its local caucus as a Republican organization.
“I traveled to Washington, D.C. on my own dime and met with the RNC and they had no clue what it was Ms. Smith was asking of us. She blocked and encouraged the blocking of us in every way she could. We weren’t allowed even to speak at meetings or to have an announcement of our events placed in the county GOP newsletter” Says Howard-Hill. “We were shunned and made to feel unwelcomed.”
She says that those Whites who did not agree with what was being done, found themselves also being shunned and even threatened if they went to the media to substantiate the claims of racism.
“It was like a one man and one woman political mafia in Tennessee, controlled by one congressman, Congressman Zach Wamp, who now is running for governor of Tennessee, and one county chair, Robin Smith, who went on to be elevated to the Tennessee GOP chair and is now running for Congress. They just would not stop short of barring the NRAAC and me from the party. I was threatened and told that if I wanted to get anything done or be involved in the party, I had to come through them first. This was interesting since they only had been Republicans for a short time, and I had been a well recognized Republican since 1979, and had headed two national Republican organizations.”
Howard-Hill says that as she saw this happening over a span of two years, with no one willing to stand up and stop it, she realized that racism within the Tennessee Party was not just local. It was condoned and supported from the state to the national level, and seemingly acquiesced even by the silence of some elected officials.
“No matter who I spoke with, with the exception of a few who stood with me, and a few who secretly denounced what was happening, no one else said a word. They dared not speak out against the wrong. Even some Whites who said they were spirit filled and people of faith and some who once shared sweet fellowship with me, became distant and silent. This was the hardest of the blows, because when one says they are a Christian, you expect to see them take a stand against what is wrong. But this was not the case. They also went silent. Which caused us to believe that the God of the White Republicans, was not the same God we knew. Because our God was a God who did not regard the color of one’s skin, and only judged the content of the heart.”
“It wasn’t just the silence, but it was the racism combined with mean spiritedness and the spiritual hypocrisy that was bone chilling”, she adds.
“But now it is time to deal with the silence! It is time to tear down the White walls of racist silence within the Republican Party in order to deal with this issue. This cancerous divisiveness must be uprooted, so that it does not flow to the next generation. We owe it to our children and to our Republican history, not to allow it to be passed down, and until we stop it, we cannot boast of the present Republican Party as being the same Party of President Lincoln.”
[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics programs taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law.]
“This is another one of those ole saying from the South that I got from older Blacks that dates back to my African American slave history”, she says as she defines the meaning of this phrase. “I cleaned it up for use, as in its original form, it literally translates ‘it was so quiet that you could hear a rat piss on cotton’.”
“The phrase was used back in the days of slavery and sharecropping, where after the slaves would end a long day of toiling in the field and had to bring their cotton to be weighed, that because of the harsh penalties they had to pay for coming up short of what the master wanted for that day (which could be in some cases double what was done the day before), that as they waited in line fearing the unbalanced and arbitrary scales of the master, there was nothing but silence. It was a terrifying silence predicated upon the fear that no matter how much was in the sack, they always would claim it lacked. From this terrifying moment, came the saying, ‘it was so quiet that you could hear a rat piss on the cotton’.”
She says that now she uses it to describe what happens when there is an attempt to have an honest and legitimate discussion regarding race within the Republican Party. According to Howard-Hill “Everything goes quiet!” she says “And the white walls of silence go up.”
She also says that since she wrote the book, Black Eyes Shut White Lips Sealed, which tells of the racial disparity within the Tennessee Republican Party, supported by the national GOP, and since the book has circulated among Republicans, it has been kept so quiet, that from 2004 until now, within Republican circles, you actually can hear a rat piss on cotton!
“It just seems strange, she says, that in an environment where those who love taking to the air way to espouse all sorts of non-sense and rhetoric that this has been kept such a hush-hush secret. It is hard to understand why no one, except a few local radio stations have as much as mentioned the book or any Republican has offered any opposition to its well documented contents.”
“I even made sure everyone who needed to have the book, got a free copy of it! She says. “So it is not like the Republican Party or the local media was not aware that it was out there.”
She says that it is not that she wanted to destroy the Party. Instead all that she desired was for someone within the Republican Party to acknowledge the truth of the proof of racism within the Party, and seek to make right the wrong done to African American Republicans. In fact, prior to writing the book, she spent two years trying to get the party to address the issue.
“My initial interest was not in writing a tell-all book. All we wanted was to just be included and allowed to participate in the democratic process in a party in which we shared its core values. That is all we wanted. The book was a therapeutic way for me to ease the pain of silence and discrimination, and to give a wake-up call to the Republican Party that unless it changed, it would become a political party suffering from its own self-contracted leprosy. It also was a way of documenting the history of African American Republicans that could be passed on to the next generation.”
In the book, Howard-Hill tells of an incident where then Governor, Senator Lamar Alexander’s wife, Honey Alexander as the event quest speaker had so gracious supported her 1980 Republican candidacy for State Representative, and a white Republican woman brought her flowers, then took them back, once she realized she was not white. According to her, the woman asked if she could present the flowers to her, but shocked after realizing that she was African American said, “I did not know she was a nigger!” Then took her flowers and left.
The book is filled with many well documented incidents of racism and mean spirited politics that includes the then local GOP Hamilton County Chair, Robin Smith investigating her voting record, and even boasting of having made telephone calls to block the recruitment and acceptance of African Americans within the Republican Party.
“I could not believe that this woman would actually go out of her way to block us from participating. I could not figure it out because I was of the assumption that the Party wanted more African Americans. I was traveling all over the United States bringing in thousands of African Americans within the Party. But I quickly found out that this was not the case. We were not wanted in masses – only just a few at a time, but not in large numbers for fear that it would change the complexion of the party. This was heartbreaking.”
She tells of being required by the past local county chair, Ms. Smith, to get legal permission from the RNC general counsel before she would recognize the NRAAC and its local caucus as a Republican organization.
“I traveled to Washington, D.C. on my own dime and met with the RNC and they had no clue what it was Ms. Smith was asking of us. She blocked and encouraged the blocking of us in every way she could. We weren’t allowed even to speak at meetings or to have an announcement of our events placed in the county GOP newsletter” Says Howard-Hill. “We were shunned and made to feel unwelcomed.”
She says that those Whites who did not agree with what was being done, found themselves also being shunned and even threatened if they went to the media to substantiate the claims of racism.
“It was like a one man and one woman political mafia in Tennessee, controlled by one congressman, Congressman Zach Wamp, who now is running for governor of Tennessee, and one county chair, Robin Smith, who went on to be elevated to the Tennessee GOP chair and is now running for Congress. They just would not stop short of barring the NRAAC and me from the party. I was threatened and told that if I wanted to get anything done or be involved in the party, I had to come through them first. This was interesting since they only had been Republicans for a short time, and I had been a well recognized Republican since 1979, and had headed two national Republican organizations.”
Howard-Hill says that as she saw this happening over a span of two years, with no one willing to stand up and stop it, she realized that racism within the Tennessee Party was not just local. It was condoned and supported from the state to the national level, and seemingly acquiesced even by the silence of some elected officials.
“No matter who I spoke with, with the exception of a few who stood with me, and a few who secretly denounced what was happening, no one else said a word. They dared not speak out against the wrong. Even some Whites who said they were spirit filled and people of faith and some who once shared sweet fellowship with me, became distant and silent. This was the hardest of the blows, because when one says they are a Christian, you expect to see them take a stand against what is wrong. But this was not the case. They also went silent. Which caused us to believe that the God of the White Republicans, was not the same God we knew. Because our God was a God who did not regard the color of one’s skin, and only judged the content of the heart.”
“It wasn’t just the silence, but it was the racism combined with mean spiritedness and the spiritual hypocrisy that was bone chilling”, she adds.
“But now it is time to deal with the silence! It is time to tear down the White walls of racist silence within the Republican Party in order to deal with this issue. This cancerous divisiveness must be uprooted, so that it does not flow to the next generation. We owe it to our children and to our Republican history, not to allow it to be passed down, and until we stop it, we cannot boast of the present Republican Party as being the same Party of President Lincoln.”
[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has served as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus. Outside of her role as the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the “Democracy In Action” Program, which was a civics programs taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law.]
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
National NRAAC Chairs Says, “Regardless of the Source, Truth Is Still Truth”
"There can be no cure or remedy for racism, if we are not willing to be candid and honest in our discussion of race within the educational systems, American politics and the Republican Party. __ NRAAC, Nat’l Chair"
The National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] National Chair, Dr. Jean Howard-Hill contends that within the debate on the appropriate versus inappropriate statement made by Senator Harry Reid, and the calling for the stepping down of Reid by RNC Chair Michael Steele, there is truth within this debate that cannot be denied.
“As a national political organization of people of spirit and faith, we have to admit truth, no matter how distasteful it may be. Regardless of the source, truth is still truth.” She says.
She suggests there are two undeniable elements of truth that are evident within this debate.
First, the Republican head of an all white exclusive congressional political party, with absolutely no African Americans serving in Congress, cannot accuse its rival Democratic Party of being racist, when but for it, there would be absolutely no African American presence at all, in the U. S. House or the Senate.
Second, African Americans, no matter how politically incorrect Senator Reid’s statement may have been, cannot deny the validity of Senator Reid’s statement as to a growing language deficit among us.
Let’s face it”, she says, “within the Republican Party, there simply are not enough flies in the bowl of buttermilk!”
“I used to hear my mother and older southern Blacks use this phrase. I didn’t quite understand it back then as a child, but now as a Republican, I understand its meaning all too well.”
She explains that the bowl of buttermilk represents the almost lily white complexion of the once colorful Lincoln Republican Party that also once welcomed, embraced and integrated into the political landscape at all levels, former slaves. And of course the flies? She says, “Well depending upon the ethnic label used, that’s us - African Americans, Blacks, Negroes, colored folks, and etc.”
“I know this may seem humorous at first”, she admits, “but there is nothing comical about this, if you are one of the flies. It is even less humorous if you are the fly that they are trying to get rid of. Because with one swat at the hands those in power who do not want you there, you are gone or silenced.”
She says that this has been the experience of far too many African Americans within the Republican Party, and especially within the South and within her home state of Tennessee.
“It is not that the Republican Party does not like a few flies in the milk. Quite to the contrary”, she contends. “However in most cases, it seeks only those flies who enjoy a sip of the buttermilk, but are willing to sip it gingerly and quietly, as the tokenly exclusive, one or two Negros in the bowl!”
“In Republican pockets such as in Tennessee, you have to be safe, non-threatening and colored, to truly be accepted; willing to write the check and just show up at meetings and events for the Kodak moment, to add the speck to the buttermilk. This is to put to rest any accusations of not having Blacks in the Party. Therefore, almost always, you can depend upon seeing at least one or two token flies.”
“Or you can be the fly who comes looking for the fish and the loaves. This means you are not too concerned with the Republican message or its core values - just the goodies. The kind of fly who is so greedy for a piece of the Republican pie, that they sell their souls to the highest bidder. Therefore, it is to be expected that this kind of fly will say and do just about anything to keep the goodies and to reign in leadership, supreme over the other flies. This kind of fly is careful not to associate with the others, nor do they dare speak out against wrong doing or racism, because they do not want to lose their goodie privileges.”
“Last but least”, Howard-Hill says, “there are those who truly believe in the core values of the Republican Party. They are the ones who hang in there, not because of what is promised, offered or given. They simply are there because they are a Republican at heart. These are the ones who within the right mixture of buttermilk fair well, only if they hail from those states and pockets of true Lincoln republicanism where they are accepted as co-equals and as first class citizens.
“I know this is a hard word to swallow for some, including even some African American Republicans, nevertheless, it is truth. And it is about time someone has the courage to stand and tell the truth. We cannot correct the problem, if we are not willing to first take an honest look at what is wrong within the GOP.”
“When you have been a Republican for as long as many of us have been, and have paid the price we have, coming from both our African American community for wearing the Republican label, and then have endured the divisive, mean spirited and racist treatment that comes out of the Party’s failure to address, let along admit there is a problem, there is something inside of you which cannot allow you to just sit back and not proclaim truth. For those who know and stand on truth as a foundational principle of one’s faith, it is hard to not embrace truth; especially when those who are divisive, mean spirited and racist are also laying hypocritical claims to the same foundation, as alleged people of faith.”
“There can be no cure or remedy for racism, if we are not willing to be candid and honest in our discussion of race within the educational systems, American politics and the Republican Party.”
She also says that there has to be a candid and honest discussion of the validity of Senator Reid’s statement.
Howard-Hill points out that racism still plays a part in educational inequalities among Blacks. However, African Americans also cannot deny the fact that as a race, with each new generation, we are becoming more language illiterate and deficient. She says, “This is unacceptable, given the sacrifices made by so many who were enslaved, lynched, killed, hosed down, jailed and humiliated in order that we might have the freedom to break through the once ironclad barriers of educational segregation and denial. We all should be alarmed at the rate of the decrease in African American written, verbal and presentational skills. It is something we have to deal with, two-fold. First, this must be dealt with at the level of inequalities within the educational systems, and the other on the level of self-responsibility.
Institutional racism is never acceptable in America’s educational system. Making sure quality education is available within even the poorest of school districts is something we have to push for, and accept nothing less. Every child educated in America should have the same rights to an educational environment that is conducive to learning with opportunities to enhance skills and to be exposed to new experiences. This is not always the case in minority predominated schools, and has to be address.
We too have to shoulder the blame. Education begins in the home first, and as parents our first gift to our children, should be the gift of knowledge. Put a book in the child’s hands. Read to them and have them read to you. Allow the child the opportunity to venture into the vast worlds of knowledge, where a book can take them, even when your bank account cannot. Regardless of the race of the parents, there is a time to cut off the television, videos, games and even the computers and demand that your child spend quality time, engaging in learning.”
“It is up to every parent to reinforce what is taught in school at home. Correct their language and do not allow them to use incorrect grammar. And for their sake, make them pull up their pants! But we don’t always do this collectively as a race. Instead, we have allowed our kids to speak in tongues, which are not native to intelligence, and to use and write in language, which is borderline illiterate. That coupled with their appearance looks and spells failure. So before we take aim at Senator Reid, we have to discover the truth of our own failures, which cause his statement to be grounded in truth.”
She concludes, “Either way, there is much that needs to be done. However, if Senator Reid’s statement is indeed true, and there still remains traces of the Negro dialect lingering within the African American race, then it is an indictment against America for its past slave history. Therefore it becomes America’s responsibility to correct it, by first continuing the dismantling of the institution of racism in both education and in the politics governing educational policy.”
[Outside of her role as the NRAAC national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year.]
The National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] National Chair, Dr. Jean Howard-Hill contends that within the debate on the appropriate versus inappropriate statement made by Senator Harry Reid, and the calling for the stepping down of Reid by RNC Chair Michael Steele, there is truth within this debate that cannot be denied.
“As a national political organization of people of spirit and faith, we have to admit truth, no matter how distasteful it may be. Regardless of the source, truth is still truth.” She says.
She suggests there are two undeniable elements of truth that are evident within this debate.
First, the Republican head of an all white exclusive congressional political party, with absolutely no African Americans serving in Congress, cannot accuse its rival Democratic Party of being racist, when but for it, there would be absolutely no African American presence at all, in the U. S. House or the Senate.
Second, African Americans, no matter how politically incorrect Senator Reid’s statement may have been, cannot deny the validity of Senator Reid’s statement as to a growing language deficit among us.
Let’s face it”, she says, “within the Republican Party, there simply are not enough flies in the bowl of buttermilk!”
“I used to hear my mother and older southern Blacks use this phrase. I didn’t quite understand it back then as a child, but now as a Republican, I understand its meaning all too well.”
She explains that the bowl of buttermilk represents the almost lily white complexion of the once colorful Lincoln Republican Party that also once welcomed, embraced and integrated into the political landscape at all levels, former slaves. And of course the flies? She says, “Well depending upon the ethnic label used, that’s us - African Americans, Blacks, Negroes, colored folks, and etc.”
“I know this may seem humorous at first”, she admits, “but there is nothing comical about this, if you are one of the flies. It is even less humorous if you are the fly that they are trying to get rid of. Because with one swat at the hands those in power who do not want you there, you are gone or silenced.”
She says that this has been the experience of far too many African Americans within the Republican Party, and especially within the South and within her home state of Tennessee.
“It is not that the Republican Party does not like a few flies in the milk. Quite to the contrary”, she contends. “However in most cases, it seeks only those flies who enjoy a sip of the buttermilk, but are willing to sip it gingerly and quietly, as the tokenly exclusive, one or two Negros in the bowl!”
“In Republican pockets such as in Tennessee, you have to be safe, non-threatening and colored, to truly be accepted; willing to write the check and just show up at meetings and events for the Kodak moment, to add the speck to the buttermilk. This is to put to rest any accusations of not having Blacks in the Party. Therefore, almost always, you can depend upon seeing at least one or two token flies.”
“Or you can be the fly who comes looking for the fish and the loaves. This means you are not too concerned with the Republican message or its core values - just the goodies. The kind of fly who is so greedy for a piece of the Republican pie, that they sell their souls to the highest bidder. Therefore, it is to be expected that this kind of fly will say and do just about anything to keep the goodies and to reign in leadership, supreme over the other flies. This kind of fly is careful not to associate with the others, nor do they dare speak out against wrong doing or racism, because they do not want to lose their goodie privileges.”
“Last but least”, Howard-Hill says, “there are those who truly believe in the core values of the Republican Party. They are the ones who hang in there, not because of what is promised, offered or given. They simply are there because they are a Republican at heart. These are the ones who within the right mixture of buttermilk fair well, only if they hail from those states and pockets of true Lincoln republicanism where they are accepted as co-equals and as first class citizens.
“I know this is a hard word to swallow for some, including even some African American Republicans, nevertheless, it is truth. And it is about time someone has the courage to stand and tell the truth. We cannot correct the problem, if we are not willing to first take an honest look at what is wrong within the GOP.”
“When you have been a Republican for as long as many of us have been, and have paid the price we have, coming from both our African American community for wearing the Republican label, and then have endured the divisive, mean spirited and racist treatment that comes out of the Party’s failure to address, let along admit there is a problem, there is something inside of you which cannot allow you to just sit back and not proclaim truth. For those who know and stand on truth as a foundational principle of one’s faith, it is hard to not embrace truth; especially when those who are divisive, mean spirited and racist are also laying hypocritical claims to the same foundation, as alleged people of faith.”
“There can be no cure or remedy for racism, if we are not willing to be candid and honest in our discussion of race within the educational systems, American politics and the Republican Party.”
She also says that there has to be a candid and honest discussion of the validity of Senator Reid’s statement.
Howard-Hill points out that racism still plays a part in educational inequalities among Blacks. However, African Americans also cannot deny the fact that as a race, with each new generation, we are becoming more language illiterate and deficient. She says, “This is unacceptable, given the sacrifices made by so many who were enslaved, lynched, killed, hosed down, jailed and humiliated in order that we might have the freedom to break through the once ironclad barriers of educational segregation and denial. We all should be alarmed at the rate of the decrease in African American written, verbal and presentational skills. It is something we have to deal with, two-fold. First, this must be dealt with at the level of inequalities within the educational systems, and the other on the level of self-responsibility.
Institutional racism is never acceptable in America’s educational system. Making sure quality education is available within even the poorest of school districts is something we have to push for, and accept nothing less. Every child educated in America should have the same rights to an educational environment that is conducive to learning with opportunities to enhance skills and to be exposed to new experiences. This is not always the case in minority predominated schools, and has to be address.
We too have to shoulder the blame. Education begins in the home first, and as parents our first gift to our children, should be the gift of knowledge. Put a book in the child’s hands. Read to them and have them read to you. Allow the child the opportunity to venture into the vast worlds of knowledge, where a book can take them, even when your bank account cannot. Regardless of the race of the parents, there is a time to cut off the television, videos, games and even the computers and demand that your child spend quality time, engaging in learning.”
“It is up to every parent to reinforce what is taught in school at home. Correct their language and do not allow them to use incorrect grammar. And for their sake, make them pull up their pants! But we don’t always do this collectively as a race. Instead, we have allowed our kids to speak in tongues, which are not native to intelligence, and to use and write in language, which is borderline illiterate. That coupled with their appearance looks and spells failure. So before we take aim at Senator Reid, we have to discover the truth of our own failures, which cause his statement to be grounded in truth.”
She concludes, “Either way, there is much that needs to be done. However, if Senator Reid’s statement is indeed true, and there still remains traces of the Negro dialect lingering within the African American race, then it is an indictment against America for its past slave history. Therefore it becomes America’s responsibility to correct it, by first continuing the dismantling of the institution of racism in both education and in the politics governing educational policy.”
[Outside of her role as the NRAAC national chair, Howard-Hill is known for her involvement within the African American community and her efforts to correct and enhance verbal, written and presentational skills of African American students, and her “Pull up Your Pants and Dress for Success Campaign” to improve the appearance and fate of African American males. She has created and directed the Many Facers of Diversity at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, which teaches these skills to minority, “at-risk”, and first generation college bound students. She is currently working on the Tennessee Youth Research Study, a research project aimed at identifying causes and providing connectors to reconnect to the youth of this generation. She also has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at UTC, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year.]
Monday, January 11, 2010
NRAAC National Chair Wants GOP to First Clean Up It's Own House
"...these days, selling the Republican Party to even those who share some of the same core values is like trying to sell the cow back his own manure. It just doesn't smell right, especially when you know what it is that is being packaged and sold."__NRAAC, National Chair
In response to the statement made by Michael Steele regarding the resignation of Senator Harry Reid for his comments in his book on President Obama's lack of negro dialect, NRAAC National Chair Jean Howard-Hill says, "If RNC Chair, Michael Steele is truly concerned with racism, then perhaps he needs to first begin within our own party. There are certainly enough issues with race for him to have his hands full in dealing with this right here within the Republican Party. There also are a few within the GOP leadership, he also may wish to ask to step down."
"As a 30 year veteran African American Republican and as the head of the National Republican African American Caucus, I find it offensive to see and hear this kind of meaningless rhetoric. It is simply another way of posturing and playing to partisan unrest. Something this party and nation do not need. We are a nation in need of healing. Racism is a cancer which we all should seek a cure. Not just for ourselves, but for our future generations. We should not be a nation divided by race. We should be a nation that celebrates its ethnicities, as we seek to live and thrive together as one nation."
Howard-Hill says, "Many of us (African American Republicans) have tried to sit back and look the other way, but when this kind of silly and meaningless rhetoric is espoused with such callousness and lack of sincerity, you can't be silent. I don't like having to speak out against my own party or its leadership. But if we do not, this continues, and it makes it appear that all African American Republicans are a part of this foolishness. Because of this, many of us have bowed out of the GOP political mix. It also makes it hard to recruit other African Americans into the Republican Party, at a time when the Party needs to attract us."
"There was a time when I would travel across the United States or connect with my fellow clergy and they were more than amenable to coming into the Republican Party. I would speak to groups and at the end, it was like an altar call with many coming to ask, 'What must I do to become a Republican?' However, these days, selling the Republican Party to even those who share some of the same core values is like trying to sell the cow back his own manure. It just doesn't smell right, especially when you know what it is that is being packaged and sold. Nor does it feel right when you are one of the ones who is struggling and in the GOP trenches trying to survive true racism in real time."
Dr. Jean Howard-Hill holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and has taught political science, full time and as an adjunct at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She also is an ordained pastor and the national chair for the National Republican African American Caucus, an organization of spirit-filled people of faith who are seeking to make a positive impact within the Republican Party and politics in general.
Despite the issues within the GOP, National Chair Howard-Hill says that in 2010, the NRAAC is embarking upon a 100,000 membership drive to recruit African American people of spirit and faith, who are not about dividing America or fighting just for the sake of having a partisan debate.
"At some point," says Hill, "you have to stop the partisan fighting. Those in leadership have to reason and not divide."
Members of the NRAAC seek to live what they preach and to make positive change within the political landscape. Calling for change she decrees, "There has to be a spiritual and political revival within the GOP. There is too much religion and politics, and not enough governing, compassion, reasoning, wisdom and ability to work together for the good of the people and nation," she says.
"Unfortunately, because there has been so much religion and very little living what is preached, it has given a bad name to those who have a deeper and richer relationship with God, where they truly seek to do what is right."
She says, "Religion and hypocrisy within the Republican Party do not mix well. It is like oil and water, and it has got to stop! You cannot use God when it is convenient and expedient for your own purposes, or to judge others, when it is by the same Godly principles that you failed to practice and live. I hate to say it, but my party has become a safe haven for racists and religious hypocrites. Those with a Bible in one hand and so much hate in their hearts and lack of regards for others. This is not how those who know God should live or govern."
Dr. Howard-Hill knows all too well the issues of racism, mean spiritedness, territorism, and religious hypocrisy within the Republican Party as she has written the book, Black Eyes Shut - White Lips Sealed, which tells the story of how racism from the Tennessee GOP led to members of the National Republican African American Caucus and her being blocked, excluded and shunned. According to her, the book has been a well kept secret among Republicans. She says Steele has been sent a copy of the book and is fully aware of this. Therefore, she is not sure why he is not dealing with it, instead of what he cannot control within the Democratic Party. [Excerpts from her book can be found on the Black Olive Branch blog.]
"From being called a nigger, to being threatened and told to stay in my place, I have seen it all," she says. So when I hear silly comments like these being made from of all people, Michael Steele, it goes to the heart of whether or not those who make claims of racism truly have an appreciation of its harm and the detriment it has to the party, and are willing to do something about it other than play games and use it as media ploy."
She adds. "We have some serious problems within the Republican Party; especially down South. This is not to say that all White Republicans are racists. There are many who are not. Nor are all African Americans who are Republicans experiencing this kind of treatment. There are some in states such as California and Ohio who have had the luxury of acceptance and have been embraced by party leadership. However, in states such as Tennessee, unfortunately, this has not been the case. ...So Chairman Steele, we invite you to be fervent in the same commitment you have to challenge Democrats, to also call for a change within the GOP; where what you do actually can have an impact in changing the racial climate in America."
In response to the statement made by Michael Steele regarding the resignation of Senator Harry Reid for his comments in his book on President Obama's lack of negro dialect, NRAAC National Chair Jean Howard-Hill says, "If RNC Chair, Michael Steele is truly concerned with racism, then perhaps he needs to first begin within our own party. There are certainly enough issues with race for him to have his hands full in dealing with this right here within the Republican Party. There also are a few within the GOP leadership, he also may wish to ask to step down."
"As a 30 year veteran African American Republican and as the head of the National Republican African American Caucus, I find it offensive to see and hear this kind of meaningless rhetoric. It is simply another way of posturing and playing to partisan unrest. Something this party and nation do not need. We are a nation in need of healing. Racism is a cancer which we all should seek a cure. Not just for ourselves, but for our future generations. We should not be a nation divided by race. We should be a nation that celebrates its ethnicities, as we seek to live and thrive together as one nation."
Howard-Hill says, "Many of us (African American Republicans) have tried to sit back and look the other way, but when this kind of silly and meaningless rhetoric is espoused with such callousness and lack of sincerity, you can't be silent. I don't like having to speak out against my own party or its leadership. But if we do not, this continues, and it makes it appear that all African American Republicans are a part of this foolishness. Because of this, many of us have bowed out of the GOP political mix. It also makes it hard to recruit other African Americans into the Republican Party, at a time when the Party needs to attract us."
"There was a time when I would travel across the United States or connect with my fellow clergy and they were more than amenable to coming into the Republican Party. I would speak to groups and at the end, it was like an altar call with many coming to ask, 'What must I do to become a Republican?' However, these days, selling the Republican Party to even those who share some of the same core values is like trying to sell the cow back his own manure. It just doesn't smell right, especially when you know what it is that is being packaged and sold. Nor does it feel right when you are one of the ones who is struggling and in the GOP trenches trying to survive true racism in real time."
Dr. Jean Howard-Hill holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and has taught political science, full time and as an adjunct at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She also is an ordained pastor and the national chair for the National Republican African American Caucus, an organization of spirit-filled people of faith who are seeking to make a positive impact within the Republican Party and politics in general.
Despite the issues within the GOP, National Chair Howard-Hill says that in 2010, the NRAAC is embarking upon a 100,000 membership drive to recruit African American people of spirit and faith, who are not about dividing America or fighting just for the sake of having a partisan debate.
"At some point," says Hill, "you have to stop the partisan fighting. Those in leadership have to reason and not divide."
Members of the NRAAC seek to live what they preach and to make positive change within the political landscape. Calling for change she decrees, "There has to be a spiritual and political revival within the GOP. There is too much religion and politics, and not enough governing, compassion, reasoning, wisdom and ability to work together for the good of the people and nation," she says.
"Unfortunately, because there has been so much religion and very little living what is preached, it has given a bad name to those who have a deeper and richer relationship with God, where they truly seek to do what is right."
She says, "Religion and hypocrisy within the Republican Party do not mix well. It is like oil and water, and it has got to stop! You cannot use God when it is convenient and expedient for your own purposes, or to judge others, when it is by the same Godly principles that you failed to practice and live. I hate to say it, but my party has become a safe haven for racists and religious hypocrites. Those with a Bible in one hand and so much hate in their hearts and lack of regards for others. This is not how those who know God should live or govern."
Dr. Howard-Hill knows all too well the issues of racism, mean spiritedness, territorism, and religious hypocrisy within the Republican Party as she has written the book, Black Eyes Shut - White Lips Sealed, which tells the story of how racism from the Tennessee GOP led to members of the National Republican African American Caucus and her being blocked, excluded and shunned. According to her, the book has been a well kept secret among Republicans. She says Steele has been sent a copy of the book and is fully aware of this. Therefore, she is not sure why he is not dealing with it, instead of what he cannot control within the Democratic Party. [Excerpts from her book can be found on the Black Olive Branch blog.]
"From being called a nigger, to being threatened and told to stay in my place, I have seen it all," she says. So when I hear silly comments like these being made from of all people, Michael Steele, it goes to the heart of whether or not those who make claims of racism truly have an appreciation of its harm and the detriment it has to the party, and are willing to do something about it other than play games and use it as media ploy."
She adds. "We have some serious problems within the Republican Party; especially down South. This is not to say that all White Republicans are racists. There are many who are not. Nor are all African Americans who are Republicans experiencing this kind of treatment. There are some in states such as California and Ohio who have had the luxury of acceptance and have been embraced by party leadership. However, in states such as Tennessee, unfortunately, this has not been the case. ...So Chairman Steele, we invite you to be fervent in the same commitment you have to challenge Democrats, to also call for a change within the GOP; where what you do actually can have an impact in changing the racial climate in America."
Saturday, January 2, 2010
AFRICAN AMERICANS CAN IDENTIFY WITH REPUBLICAN CORE VALUES
I already knew very well the Republican Philosophy; after all it was because of it that l became a Republican in 1979. But during a recent chat with my good friend and white soul sister, Grace Williams, as we talked about how “our” Party’s core values are the same as many African Americans, she handed me a card from the National Federation of Republican Women listing those core values.
I carefully read each one, as I had done back in 1979 before making my decision to become an African American Republican.
That the right of the individual to achieve the best that is within him, as long as he respects the rights of others, is the source of our nation’s strength.
That government exists to protect the freedom of opportunity in which each individual’s creative ability can flourish.
That government activities should be limited to those things which people cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves.
That the most effective government is government closet to the people.
That those who cannot provide for themselves should be assisted by both government and society, but that every effort should be made to help them become self-supporting, productive citizens with pride in their independence.
That equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity belong to all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.
That the preservation of our nation and the security of our citizens depend upon the Constitution, the laws and the courts, and that respect for the, is the responsibility of every individual.
That government is accountable for maintaining sound money and a responsible economy. Individual rights, liberties and properties are continually eroded when citizens are oppressed by excessive taxation, inflation, government waste and over regulation.
That government is responsible for national defense and that only a strong America can remain a free America.
That it is absolutely essential to maintain a strong national defense posture in order that we may at all times negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness, in our continuing efforts toward world peace and friendship.
That these concepts are the foundation of our national strength and that the Republican Party, which is committed to their preservation, is the Party of today, and the Party for the Future.
As I read these core values, I felt a sadness inside for two reasons. Number One: That many African Americans are not aware of those values and Number Two: That our party has failed to properly articulate those values in such a way that not only African Americans, but all Americans can embrace them. Many times they are mixed in with so much mean spirited and unnecessary rhetoric that it has almost buried those core values in political mud.
It is not our core values that have impeded our ability to attract voters, because the values are honorable, good and well grounded in moral and sound principles. But rather, it is our failure to live, govern and serve by those same values that have caused us to error. There are many who believe as we do. However, we have to show that we not only believe, but that we practice these values as well. This is what being a Republican is all about.
It is for this reason that I began a recruitment campaign across America in 1987 to introduce those core values to African Americans from all walks of life. It is for this reason that now in 2010, I find myself weathering many storms to further that recruitment among African Americans and other minorities. Because it goes against the very same values that as Republicans we espouse, “That equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity belong to all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin”, if we do otherwise.
If the Republican Party can return to and remain true to these same core values, then without a doubt, it again can rise to the level of truly being the “Party of Lincoln” – a party with a tent that can expand to include those who embrace these same core values. …But in order to do that, we first have to go back to the well from which we were drawn, and again quench our thirst for political service with the waters of true Republicanism, so that what flows from our bellies does really come from the rock out of which historically we were hewed.
I carefully read each one, as I had done back in 1979 before making my decision to become an African American Republican.
That the right of the individual to achieve the best that is within him, as long as he respects the rights of others, is the source of our nation’s strength.
That government exists to protect the freedom of opportunity in which each individual’s creative ability can flourish.
That government activities should be limited to those things which people cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves.
That the most effective government is government closet to the people.
That those who cannot provide for themselves should be assisted by both government and society, but that every effort should be made to help them become self-supporting, productive citizens with pride in their independence.
That equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity belong to all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.
That the preservation of our nation and the security of our citizens depend upon the Constitution, the laws and the courts, and that respect for the, is the responsibility of every individual.
That government is accountable for maintaining sound money and a responsible economy. Individual rights, liberties and properties are continually eroded when citizens are oppressed by excessive taxation, inflation, government waste and over regulation.
That government is responsible for national defense and that only a strong America can remain a free America.
That it is absolutely essential to maintain a strong national defense posture in order that we may at all times negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness, in our continuing efforts toward world peace and friendship.
That these concepts are the foundation of our national strength and that the Republican Party, which is committed to their preservation, is the Party of today, and the Party for the Future.
As I read these core values, I felt a sadness inside for two reasons. Number One: That many African Americans are not aware of those values and Number Two: That our party has failed to properly articulate those values in such a way that not only African Americans, but all Americans can embrace them. Many times they are mixed in with so much mean spirited and unnecessary rhetoric that it has almost buried those core values in political mud.
It is not our core values that have impeded our ability to attract voters, because the values are honorable, good and well grounded in moral and sound principles. But rather, it is our failure to live, govern and serve by those same values that have caused us to error. There are many who believe as we do. However, we have to show that we not only believe, but that we practice these values as well. This is what being a Republican is all about.
It is for this reason that I began a recruitment campaign across America in 1987 to introduce those core values to African Americans from all walks of life. It is for this reason that now in 2010, I find myself weathering many storms to further that recruitment among African Americans and other minorities. Because it goes against the very same values that as Republicans we espouse, “That equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity belong to all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin”, if we do otherwise.
If the Republican Party can return to and remain true to these same core values, then without a doubt, it again can rise to the level of truly being the “Party of Lincoln” – a party with a tent that can expand to include those who embrace these same core values. …But in order to do that, we first have to go back to the well from which we were drawn, and again quench our thirst for political service with the waters of true Republicanism, so that what flows from our bellies does really come from the rock out of which historically we were hewed.
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