It’s no secret that the Republican party and its values are more closely aligned with whites than blacks. This fact is driven home by the extremely low numbers of blacks that are part of the party’s membership. There are a few black high-profile members that curiously defend the group’s exclusive policies such as Juan Williams, Joseph C. Phillips, and Colin Powell (who voted for the Democratic ticket in the last election), but they are definitely the exception as far as membership goes.
The most recognized black name in the group, though, is actually the head Negro in charge, RNC chairman, Michael Steele … but can you believe he recently used the race card against his own good ol’ boy network?
With his leadership under fire by some in the GOP due to his indecisiveness, inappropriate rants and, the latest, the bondage-themed strip club scandal, he now admits that the party isn’t as tolerable of blacks as they are of whites. He recently said, “his job is a little bit tougher because of his race.”
What?!?! Is he allowed to pull that card against his “boys,” given his choice to fight tooth and nail to protect their image?
A viewer of ABC’s “Good Morning America” asked Steele whether he thinks he has a smaller margin for error because he is African American.
“The honest answer is, ‘yes,’ ” Steele said. “It just is. Barack Obama has a slimmer margin. A lot of folks do. It’s a different role for me to play and others to play, and that’s just the reality of it. But you take that as a part of the nature of it.”
Well, if the nature of it is to, in a nutshell, be racist, why in the … would you entrench yourself in it? I’m just asking.
Steele went on to say that he will not give up his seat as head of the Republican National Committee, even though his chairmanship has been plagued by all the controversies, then added, “at the end of the day, I’m judged by whether I win elections and raise the money. That’s a standard I’m very comfortable with.”
Just because Republicans have a reputation of not taking into consideration the plight of the underprivileged, which largely applies to blacks, doesn’t necessarily mean that all of its members are racist, but Steele’s statements certainly lend to the perception that he’s a token member and leader that should re-evaluate his involvement. Ain’t gonna happen, though, I’m sure. –gerald radford
