 HAMILTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN CAUCUS   Samuel Richmond, County Chair Rev. Dr. Shirley Ray, Vice Chair Visit our Tennessee and NRAAC Website and Blogs January 26, 2011 Posted by: Dr. Jean Howard-Hill, NRAAC Nat'l chair Local African American Republicans Ask the Hamilton County GOP: WHY? "Why as loyal African American Republicans who often take the hit from our own Black community for daring to be a Republican, we have absolutely nothing to show for it at the local GOP level?" Blame it on me being sick in bed for the past three days with the flu or all of us just feeling sick and tired of being sick and tired of there being either "one or two token flies in the bowl of butter milk", or being the "step children" of the Hamilton County GOP. Or perhaps it is because of the continuing struggle the Hamilton County African American Caucus has had since 2000, under former Hamilton County Chair Robin Smith, to become an affiliate group of the local GOP. Nevertheless, along with those within our Caucus, we are now asking questions about our future as Republicans. Why instead of being welcomed, we have had to fight to become a part of the local party? Why even now, we are having those who still are fighting to prevent us from being recognized as affiliate Republicans at the local level? Why is it that no matter how qualified our members are, we have not been a part of appointed or elected leadership on the local level? For many years, we have watched some individuals advance to leadership positions, get appointed and elected, be able to raise money, and get the support of Republicans, with lesser qualifications, experience and credentials than those within our Caucus, yet we have been overlooked. Why as loyal African American Republicans who often take the hit from our own Black community for daring to be a Republican, we have absolutely nothing to show for it at the local GOP level? Why not one of us, (including me with a 32 year history of being an active African American Republicans at the national level), have ever been elected, appointed or served in any capacity within the local Hamilton County Republican Party or under local Republican leadership? Why are we not afforded the same opportunities to participate, to serve, and to be appointed and elected? Why now as the local party convenes its re-organizational meeting, we are being urged to bring our 1055 person membership to the convention to ensure the win of candidates of whom not one of them are individuals of color? Nothing personal against this individual or anyone else. We certainly we do not intend this in a mean way, and hope no offense is taken. However, why is it that we are expected to support a nomination slate headed by an individual who serves as president of the Pachyderms, but is said to have been a former Democrat, who turned Republican, and served as campaign manager for imprisoned, former Democratic Sheriff Billy Long's campaign, while despite our consistent voting records, we are made to take a litmus test to determine if we are true Republicans? Or why should we support a Vice Chair who is the sister of a Congressman who was so territorial that he saw to it that we were excluded during his tenure in office? On the slate of officers to be voted on to lead our Grand Ole local party, the fact that not one minority has been nominated, is it because there are no qualified African Americans who are Republicans? Absolutely not! In fact this is quite to the contrary. Ranging from former principals, educators, even those who have taught government at the college and school levels, financial advisers, counselors, business owners, clergy, health care professionals, childcare professionals, those who have law degrees, to those who hold national positions within the party, etc., we have many qualified individuals who have been faithful Republicans for years. But what we have received for our loyalty is exclusion and being relegated to being closeted Republicans. We have been made to be the "step children" of the local Republican Party, who literally have no meaningful place within local Republican politics. Therefore, we have a legitimate reason to ask the Hamilton County Republican Party why? Why have you permitted this to go on for so long? Just as we expect nothing handed to us because of our race, we also expect not to be excluded because of it. And now that it is well known what has happened in the past and continues to happen even at present, we want to know what is going to be done about it? If we are wrong in assuming that since it has nothing to do with our qualifications; loyalty to the party; belief in the original core values of the party; and willingness to be identified as Republicans, then it must be about something else, then tell us why this is an incorrect or unfair assumption. If it has nothing to do with race, what has prompted this kind of exclusionary practice? We beg to know, what is it? I know the mere mentioning of racism is a touchy subject for some Republicans. It causes even the most pious of Christian Conservatives to turn their heads, rather than admit it exists and deal with it. But if we are serious about reorganization, and building a strong party which includes people who share some of the same core values, then we have to deal with this issue as well. Hopefully, with all of the contention over the media being ousted from the Hamilton County Republican Re-Organization Convention, which is being held January 29, 2011, and with talk of back room dealings, the good Republicans and true Christian Conservatives will see a need to also address this issue of inequality and exclusion, and agree that it needs to be purged from the local GOP party. |
To reach the HCRAAC Chair: Samuel Richmond 423-650-8933 423-521-4294 office hcraacsrichmond@gmail.com richmond.samuel@yahoo.com To reach the TNRAAC Chair: LaShunda Hill 423-505-3626 423-521-4294 office hcraaclashundahill@gmail.com lashunda.s.hill@gmail.com To reach the NRAAC national chair: Dr. Jean Howard-Hill 423-521-4294 NRAAC office nraachowardhill@gmail.com Jean.howard.hill@gmail.com |
The National Republican African-American Caucus is an organization that is comprised of Spirit filled people of faith within the African American community, that works in conjunction with local, state and national party efforts to embrace, and offer African-American Republicans opportunities for inclusion and involvement in the Republican Party, and builds bridges between the African-American community and the Republican Party. In doing so, it seeks to carry out the philosophy and mission set before President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas to build a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party, where those guiding principles are more important than politics. More information on the NRAACcan be found at: http://www.nraacaucus.org; http://nraacaucus.ning.com [NRAAC] National Republican African American Caucus Social Issue Network (members only); http://nraac.blogspot.com [NRAAC Blog]; http://youthonthehorizons. http://theblackolivebranch. |
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