Last Friday, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele was elected as the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee.
If I believed in coincidence (or conspiracy theories for that matter), I would say that it is suspiciously ironic that Black men have been put in charge… 1): to lead the United States in it’s worst economic crisis with no end in sight; to retreat from a failed war in Iraq; to increase it’s involvement in another un-winnable war in Afghanistan; to find a workable solution to the deteriorating situation in the Middle East among the Israelis, the Palestinians, Hezzbollah and Syrians; to engage in a growing and futile geopolitical conflict with Iran and Russia… and 2): to lead a Republican Party at a time when it has lost all credibility and some would argue, relevance, at home and abroad.
Or maybe I should see this as America looking to these two Black men as their prophets of hope and architects of the “change we can believe in”, for both the political right and the left!? Hmmm… however, I don’t believe in fairy tales either.
Nevertheless, seeing two Black men at the top of the political establishment, in the most powerful nation in the world, makes me want to pack up my family and restore the underground railroad… however heading the other way into the new promise land of America. I keep reading that America has now gone “post-racial”… that racism is dead in America… that Rev. King’s dream has finally been realized and that there are no more excuses for Black people not to succeed. The election of Barack Obama was historic. The selection of Michael Steele to lead the GOP, although it did not garner the fanfare of the coronation of President Obama… sorry, I mean “inauguration”… no, come to think of it, I do really mean “coronation“… is just as relevant… maybe even more so! These two Black men are not only sitting at the head of the table, they are now setting the menu… “fried chicken and collard greens”… in the words of Fuzzy Zeller referring to the menu Tigers Woods would select after his first Master’s win in 1997.
BUT maybe I will wait a while. Maybe I’m getting all caught up in the hype! Canada isn’t perfect… but we do have universal health care; an adequate welfare system for the less fortunate; spend more on education than on our military; low crime rates; and enough government intervention and responsible regulations within the business and financial sectors to temper the excesses of capitalism, so as to prevent the debacles of the mortgage and financial meltdowns that are now a worsening daily occurrence south of the 49th parallel.
Here are a few articles from around the AfroSphere in regards to Chairman Steele:
- The Kitchen Table: Political White Flight?
- theRoot: GOP Steels Itself for the Future and Black Conservatives Listen Up
- The Field Negro: If you can’t beat em…
- Acting White: Michael Steele to Chair the RNC
- Cobb: The Brotherhood of Steele
afrospear.wordpress.com 
Yeah…universal health care…REAL efficient there.
http://www.smellytourist.wordpress.com
Not everyone is post racial, as your article makes very clear…
The stage has to be set for 2012. Things have to be thrown at the wall until they stick. I am intrigued by your blog and look forward to reading all of the information you have provided. I am curious though of your thoughts, can the GOP evolve to Rice/Steele in 2012 or are they stuck in reverse with the whoever will run with Palin?
Well, one can say that from its very inception when white men “discovered” America, a country that was already occupied, people of color were taking care of them–note that the Indians taught them how to farm and cultivate the land. One also remember the Chinese and the railroads, and of course African Americans and slavery. Currently, the entire housing market is being build to the back of Hispanic labor. My point is, this nation is a notion of immigrants that to this day draws its talent from a vast array of people, from all countries. So it is no surprise to me that America, in times of trouble and stress, turns to two black men to lead–we have always done so.
Now, does that mean that Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream has been fulfilled? No. That will only happen when someone mentions race and people of all color ask, “What’s that got to do with the price of tea in China?”
The problem is that these men are not leading: they are black marionettes, black frontmen whose color quells certain conversations as too impolitic. The puppeteers are the ones who have always ruled, only now, they have shown true genius by putting forth two “teflon men” who can’t be criticized or analyzed critically. The counter charge of racism for any critique will be made and will cover and insulate them from deep scrutiny and accountability to the mass of sheep.
Notice that Obama has already fucked up by authorizing – three days after his “coronation” – a military strike in Pakistan, an ally who we are not at war with, that killed 20 or 30 people. Including babies. “Mr. Cool” let the world know who he’s really working for.
A friend sent me an interesting email regarding Obama’s longtime DL association with the CIA; some might call his connection ‘operative status.’ (Kneegroes don’t just rise to the top by accident, ya’ll. Don’t be so naive)
The scuttlebut is that he has been groomed since way back when and truly is a “Blackchurian Candidate.” I’ve also heard reports of preparations to turn domestic military bases into concentration camps, to contain the social unrest expected in America, oh, sometime this summer.
This place is going straight nazi with Al Jolson at the head of it. Get that second bedroom ready for me, Asa!!!
The honeymoon with Obama will be over quick… Daschle is the beginning of the crack. Your room is ready Lubangakene… just bring warm clothing, gloves and boots! LOL!!!
Niche11 asked: “can the GOP evolve to Rice/Steele in 2012 or are they stuck in reverse with the whoever will run with Palin?”
Would it really matter!? What real difference would it make!? The outcome for America would be the same, even if Obama got re-elected.
This is outrageous!!! I am soooo sick about hearing how white people are over privileged. I understand that African Americans have come a long way but they are the ones who get special privileges like affirmative action. And why is that we can have black heritage history month and not European heritage history month. If we had European history month it would be the most racist thing. Why is it that black people are told to be proud of their race and white people aren’t. AND DONT TELL ME THAT WE NEED PROGRAMS LIKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR BLACK PEOPLE! Its always black people who talk about equality for their race….I completely agree with them except that affirmative action is not equal opportunity like they say it is. It simply penalizes Asians and Whites. Asian people are minorities too but they don’t need affirmative action. If black people really deserve to get into a college then by all means that is fair, but a lot of the time with aff. action they get into college for the color of their skin. Oh, and why do we never hear about the white people in South Africa getting killed by blacks simply because of the color of their skin. Its funny, racism is now against white people in this country, but very view people think this is true. I AM NOT RACIST AND I AM BEING COMPLETELY FAIR! Also why don’t we ever learn about IRISH slavery in school? I am offended by this article!
Wow, Asa, looks like you really hit a nerve with this article as per the comment above.
Keep up the good work!
I’m offended that we let idiots trot out the same stupid ass arguments about, boo hoo, affirmative action for people of color – and white women. It is idiotic for a white person to ignore that America has been one BIG WHITE affirmative action program. American history is white affirmative action, from the taking of the country to the milking the land, people and resources within its borders.
Then they had to go get us to work the land for them – lazy fucks. How is that NOT white affirmative action, white entitlement?! It is; but white racists are so mentally and spiritually diseased that picking up the crumbs and leftovers that they didn’t gobble up constitutes some kind of black takeover plot. These fools are currazy.
Lubangakene… you need to avoid being so unemotional and subtle and just come out and say what you mean…. I’m just saying… [;o)
“Asa, (said with handkerchief firmly on head) you know Ise a have me some menta problums!”
Dese folks like Jeff, they’s a want me ta be carrying dey servant’s tray and washing dem dirty drawers. They miss dem ole days when a nigga and a tree were inseparable, when we caddied out at tha country club and when we had ta go to the back door to get some vittles. Dey get HIGH on that imagery: dey tha kingpin being serviced by tha brown, anonymous other.
Asa, you retrained me, boy. You remember when I used to have all those white privilege, white racism posts. I can barely write ’bout that bullshit. Why discuss a given – other than to deal with its dismantling?!
I could have sworn this was 2009.
“Why discuss a given – other than to deal with its dismantling?!”
trudat!