Blacks have always been conservative. Black families used to look after each other kids and report them to their parents when they goofed off. Blacks have always prided themselves with family reunions, picnics, and other gatherings.
Blacks need to learn the hard way that the Rats are playing them for fools.
I'll agree that we shouldn't be pandering (nor pandered to), but the message has to be delivered to the black community.
I've said this before -- as long as we allow Jesse Jackson, the NAACP, Al Sharpton, et.al.-ad nauseum to spew their venom in the black community unchecked, we are allowing them to deliver our message (albeit filtered through their "capable" hands and voices) for us.
Our biggest challenge in terms of outreach is to put our unfiltered message directly in the black community. And until most people in the GOP can see that, we won't be able to even get started at making any serious inroads. Jackson, et.al. have appointed themselves de-facto gatekeepers to black America.
The only way we can get our message into black America in it's true form (i.e., not distorted by the lies and hatred of the likes of Julian Bond and others) is to go around those gatekeepers. That job is not an easy one. But it is one that is well worth taking on. The President has the right idea, by going to the Urban League and blowing off the NAACP. It is a solid start. It is not, however, pandering to the audience.
To those that see it as pandering, would you equally dissuade the President from speaking to the Religious Right?
I'm sure that thought would never enter your head. But if you substitute Christian Conservatives for black Americans, then you can see where I'm coming from.
I am in agreement. The black families I know work hard, they strive for the American dream just like I do, they want their children to have it beter just like I do, they are involved in Scouting and attend church, and are good friends and neighbors and members of the community. In short, they are Republicans, they just don't know it yet.
Yes, I am aware that their are elements within the black community that use drugs, engage in irresponsible sex, sponge off the taxpayer, and so forth. But, you know what, there are people like that of every color. In my youth, we used the term "White Trash" to describe this type of caucasion. I don't even know if that's a racially charged term or not now, but it was very descriptive.
Blacks need to learn the hard way that the Rats are playing them for fools.
Hogwash. We're one Nation. When one suffers we all do. Consider this. GWB almost lost the Presidency because of the Florida mess. If we had gotten just 1% more of the minority vote in Florida, Florida wouldn't have been an issue (well, except for the "I voted for Buchanan by mistake" crowd).
How come it's not "pandering" when the President speaks to the Chamber of Commerce, or to the VFW, or to most groups, but it is pandering for him to speak to the Urban League?
They're the same thing. The President is building bridges and delivering his message and gathering support for his plans for our Nation. I don't want to exclude anyone.
As MHK said in a subsequent post to yours, a Republican message is ALREADY being delivered to the minority community. Problem is, we're not the one delivering it.
OH please.
But the point remains that you have to invite folks to dinner or accept their invitation before you can break bread with them.....