Submitted by ptcruiser on June 11, 2006 - 11:57am.
The Democrats' real problem with regard to the individual and collective political aspirations of African Americans is that the only thing they want to bring to the table is their insatiable and voracious appetite for the support of black voters. The reasons cited as the basis for Maryland's white elected Democrats not to support Kweisi Mfume's candidacy are without any substantive political merit. The truth is that their behavior nakedly reveals the obvious reluctance of white Democratic officials and white Democratic voters from a southern state to support black candidates who are seeking higher political office.
The fault here lies not with Kweisi Mfume and his alleged problems but with the distaste that Steny Hoyer and others have for granting blacks a more honored place at the table. Black political leaders, as opposed to black elected officials (there is a difference) in Maryland and throughout the United States should begin assessing whether or not black voters need to fully participate in every election. There are times when common sense and collective self-interest would seem to indicate that black folks should take a bye.
Our ancestors did not just give their lives for our right to vote. They also gave their lives for our right to act with the same regard for our best interests that any other group of people in America have exercised over and over again. Republican farmers in Kansas will not support Republican candidates who they feel hold views that are contrary to their interests. Black voters should adopt the same perspective with regard to Democrats (and Republicans).
The Democrats' real problem with regard to the individual and collective political aspirations of African Americans is that the only thing they want to bring to the table is their insatiable and voracious appetite for the support of black voters. The reasons cited as the basis for Maryland's white elected Democrats not to support Kweisi Mfume's candidacy are without any substantive political merit. The truth is that their behavior nakedly reveals the obvious reluctance of white Democratic officials and white Democratic voters from a southern state to support black candidates who are seeking higher political office.
The fault here lies not with Kweisi Mfume and his alleged problems but with the distaste that Steny Hoyer and others have for granting blacks a more honored place at the table. Black political leaders, as opposed to black elected officials (there is a difference) in Maryland and throughout the United States should begin assessing whether or not black voters need to fully participate in every election. There are times when common sense and collective self-interest would seem to indicate that black folks should take a bye.
Our ancestors did not just give their lives for our right to vote. They also gave their lives for our right to act with the same regard for our best interests that any other group of people in America have exercised over and over again. Republican farmers in Kansas will not support Republican candidates who they feel hold views that are contrary to their interests. Black voters should adopt the same perspective with regard to Democrats (and Republicans).