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Tuesday, 31 October 2006 16:19 |
 | | Roland Martin |
Chicago ÇƒÓ When former Congressman Kweisi Mfume decided to run for the U.S. Senate in Maryland, he was the first declared Democrat in the race.
But the idea of having him as a standard bearer for the party didnët sit too well with top Democratic operatives. So they went out and recruited Congressman Ben Cardin to run for the position, and immediately filled up his coffers. Mfume was left to virtually fend for himself, even lashing out at his own party for its failure to support him.
Amazing. All these years of solid black support and Democrats in that state have never elected an African-American to a statewide office.
And
Maryland Democrats could be further embarrassed if Lt. Gov. Michael
Steele beats Cardin in November. Not only would the Republicans pick up
the U.S. Senate seat, but they would elect an African-American to the
prestigious post.
Then again, this
is a story we all know too well. African-Americans on the ground
provide the slave labor for the party by picking all the cotton, yet
the master gets to feast on the plantation, occasionally throwing a
bone to those in the fields.
In my home state
of Texas there are three African-American Republicans holding statewide
positions, yet in the history of the state, only one black Democrat has
ever achieved that feat. Oh, but when the election rolls around, you
can bet the Democrats will flood black churches, clapping their hands,
dropping a few Martin Luther King quotes and saying how they just love
African-Americans!
Frankly, itës time to make ǃÚem pay.
Thatës why I
like the fact that Cathy Hughes, founder of Radio One, the nationës
largest collection of Black radio stations, and hip-hop impresario
Russell Simmons, are tossing their support behind Steele. Not only is
he a moderate, he is speaking directly to issues that affect
African-Americans and not merely carrying the water of the Republican
establishment.
Oh, sure, I know
his opponent has tried to suggest that Steele will say or do anything
to get elected. But so will the Democrats!
What this issue boils down to is African-Americans voting in their own self-interests, and cutting deals that favor them.
When George
Voinovich ran for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in
Ohio, he picked up 40 percent of the black vote. He did so because as
mayor of Cleveland, he was willing to have a dialogue with
African-Americans. Thatës how you truly cultivate black voters; you
speak to their minds, hearts and pocketbooks, and show them that you
mean what you say.
Iëve made it
clear to any number of black elected officials and grassroots activists
who favor Democrats that the party will always ignore you as long as
you allow them to do so. Itës a shame that there are two black
lieutenant governors in America -- Steele and Jeanette Bradley of Ohio
-- and both are Republican. Thereës nothing wrong with that. But donët
you think with all that support, African-Americans would have more to
show for their labor?
Every year
African-Americans run to the Democratic Party to beg for
get-out-the-vote registration campaigns and squeeze a couple of pennies
out to purchase ads in black newspapers, on black radio stations and in
black magazines and Web sites.
This is where
the real opportunity lies for Republicans. Instead of giving speeches
and not following that up with policies, how about meeting with
credible African-Americans and asking, "What issues do you want us to
address?" What most folks need to realize is that on many social
issues, African-Americans are the most conservative. But speak to the
needs of economic development, homeownership, ending redlining in black
neighborhoods and other common concerns. When that happens, you will
see a shift in voting patterns, and Republicans will effectively
compete for black votes.
And the day when
Republicans compete for black votes, you will find the Democrats no
longer taking them for granted and being forced to do the same.
Politics is supposed to be a two-way street. Itës time for
African-Americans to get off the one-lane back road and join the
expressway.
ï
Roland S. Martin, editor of The Chicago Defender newspaper, is author of "Speak, Brother! A Black Manës View of America."
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