Black Caucus: Whites Not Allowed

[Geezah]

Freshman Rep. Stephen I. Cohen, D-Tenn., is not joining the Congressional Black Caucus after several current and former members made it clear that a white lawmaker was not welcome.

"I think they're real happy I'm not going to join," said Cohen, who succeeded Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., in a majority-black Memphis district. "It's their caucus and they do things their way. You don't force your way in. You need to be invited."

Cohen said he became convinced that joining the caucus would be "a social faux pas" after seeing news reports that former Rep. William Lacy Clay Sr., D-Mo., a co-founder of the caucus, had circulated a memo telling members it was "critical" that the group remain "exclusively African- American."

Other members, including the new chairwoman, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., and Clay's son, Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., agreed.

"Mr. Cohen asked for admission, and he got his answer. ... It's time to move on," the younger Clay said. "It's an unwritten rule. It's understood. It's clear."

The bylaws of the caucus do not make race a prerequisite for membership, a House aide said, but no non-black member has ever joined.

Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., who is white, tried in 1975 when he was a sophomore representative and the group was only 6 years old.

"Half my Democratic constituents were African-American. I felt we had interests in common as far as helping people in poverty," Stark said. "They had a vote, and I lost. They said the issue was that I was white, and they felt it was important that the group be limited to African-Americans."

Cohen remains hopeful, though, that he can forge relationships with black members in other ways.

"When I saw the reticence, I didn't want anyone to misunderstand my motives. Politically, it was the right thing to do," he said. "There are other ways to gain fellowship with people I respect."

Cohen won his seat in the 60 percent black district as the only white candidate in a crowded primary field. If he faces a primary challenge next year from a black candidate, as expected, some Black Caucus members may work to defeat him.

A similar situation arose in 2004 after redistricting added more black voters to the Houston district of former Rep. Chris Bell, D-Texas.

Although House tradition discourages members of the same party from working against each other, about a dozen black lawmakers contributed to Bell's opponent, Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, the eventual victor. Even Bell's Houston neighbor, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, campaigned against him.

One black member who criticized his colleagues for sandbagging Bell was Cohen's predecessor, Harold Ford.

"You have an incumbent, and you don't support an incumbent? It was inappropriate," Ford told Congressional Quarterly in 2004.

Cohen has won high marks for hiring African-Americans. His staff is now majority African- American, he said, including his chief of staff.

Link (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2389.html)

Good to see segragation is alive and well....................my God, it's almost like Bizarro World, "Me Am Save You":(

[Mr. JOSHUA]

Whites are the only racist huh?

[California Joe]

I don't get why there is even a need for a sub group based on race within the congress in the first place...What is the purpose? How come there isn't an Emerald Society based on Irish heritage or a Sons of Dixie based on family members that fought for the Confederacy etc...so they can all get together in secret caucuses and do what? Exert their influence? Whine about the man keeping them down? Do our tax dollars pay for them to go on retreats and interpersonal communications seminars so that they can all present a united voting front based on race? Sounds like complete bullsh*t to me.

[playtym]

We've have the same thing happening here in South Africa since we became a "democracy" in 1994.


The coming together of the black intelligentsia under the umbrella of the Native Club is long overdue. Blacks (Indians, coloureds and African) must challenge the hegemony of the Caucasian on intellectual thought so that the national agenda addresses the needs and aspirations of the poverty stricken masses who unfortunately cannot succinctly articulate their plight.


The Native Club is similar to the Black Management Forum in the sense that it is a formation of blacks whose purpose is to harness the talent of blacks and the marginalised with the express purpose of enriching debate in this country and advancing the African perspective on matters of national interest.

Apparently whites born in South Africa are not native to this country (it seems that native means "black" in this case - and white's aren't allowed), although this is somehow not seen as racist.

[shocker1]

There was a dream that someday we would all be Americans without some prefix like African,Hispanic,ect... The longer this catagory mentality exists the longer our racial problems will fester.

How come there isn't an Emerald Society based on Irish heritage or a Sons of Dixie based on family members that fought for the Confederacy etc...
I like that

[el borracho]

This type of voluntary segregation, not lingering racism, is what still keeps the black man down in American society. It permeates on several levels: social (BET anyone?), economic (formation of "black" neighborhoods and lack of motivation to get higher education or strive for an affluent job for fear of being labeled an 'uncle Tom'), and now political. Despite so many laws and policies enabled to undo the mistakes of the past, there has still been a general lack of progress. Rather than be forced to wallow in shame, white Americans are conscientiously moving on. The black community sees the indifference, which gets thrown back in people's faces again as more accusations of "racism" fly.

[Geezah]

^ Ken Blackwell was labelled by some as an Uncle Tom(according to my in-law) but to me, he would have been the best candidate for Governor in Ohio, it's just Taft screwed that up for the GOP.

[California Joe]

I like that

Thanks, I just made that up. Although it probably does exist already somewhere. heh.

[Jobu]

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

[Geezah]

^Yeah, that got shot down real quick........

[demotivater]

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
What is that saying about flying monkies or something?

[shocker1]

Thanks, I just made that up. Although it probably does exist already somewhere. heh.
Sons of Confederate Veterans but they are a historical preservation society.

[California Joe]

Yep, I know of them.

[americanbychoice]

Cohen... isn't that a OMFG J00ish name? Maybe they just didn't want a Jewish person in their group.

OH, WAIT A MINUTE... that's still racism. AND it's impossible for Black people to be racist because Black people aren't in positions of power (or whatever horseshiat that certain racist Black people like to spew).

/how America has this image of being a nation full of White cowboys driving SUVs, I don't know...

[Van Gogh]

Whites are the only racist huh?

its called the congressional black caucus. its quite evident its a forum for black people and their issues. a white being rejected would have no bounds with racism. its just they don't belong in that area unless its something they can help with. i don't believe its racist.

[Van Gogh]

This type of voluntary segregation, not lingering racism, is what still keeps the black man down in American society. It permeates on several levels: social (BET anyone?), economic (formation of "black" neighborhoods and lack of motivation to get higher education or strive for an affluent job for fear of being labeled an 'uncle Tom'), and now political. Despite so many laws and policies enabled to undo the mistakes of the past, there has still been a general lack of progress. Rather than be forced to wallow in shame, white Americans are conscientiously moving on. The black community sees the indifference, which gets thrown back in people's faces again as more accusations of "racism" fly.

economic warfare. class warfare. if you stick with your people , your liabel to be called cool instead of a victim.

[shocker1]

its called the congressional black caucus. its quite evident its a forum for black people and their issues. a white being rejected would have no bounds with racism. its just they don't belong in that area unless its something they can help with. i don't believe its racist.
I am Jewish we have a caucus but try and start a White caucus. So what we have done is divide up the different ethnic groups but the ones left out of these groups are muts with no ethnic association? Considering the rejected members 60% black district it is very reasonable for him to join such a cacus for his black voters in his district. If we are going to have these little groups they should be based on the make up of a members district.

[Mr. JOSHUA]

its called the congressional black caucus. its quite evident its a forum for black people and their issues. a white being rejected would have no bounds with racism. its just they don't belong in that area unless its something they can help with. i don't believe its racist.


Thats the stupidest thing I ever heard.

So you're telling me that if whites had a white caucus to deal with only white issues, blacks and the media and the rest of the world would not jump all over this?

This sits well in your mind to have a certain group dealing with problems for one particular race and advancing one particular race?

White Caucus to deal with "only white issues", no colored people allowed.

What does that remind you of.

Black Caucus to deal with "only black issues", no non blacks allowed.

..but this is OK because the blacks already faced racism so instead of fixing the problem to bring unity, its OK for them to divide the country by seperating the races again by making race exclusive groups that only benefit that particular race.

Oh yeah, this is sweet.:roll:

[Mastermind]

Well, there ya have it. The 600 lb gorilla sitting in the front room and everyone really does their best to just ignore it. Black racism alive and well and growing. Can you imagine the whine and cry if there were an "Anglo Caucus". I actually tried to join the Hispanic hamber of Commerce in a town I once lived in. They about fell through their butts trying to explain why I could not join...I had a tape recorder in my hand, too. They eventually threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. That was in my "activist" days. MM

[Zoomie]

its called the congressional black caucus. its quite evident its a forum for black people and their issues. a white being rejected would have no bounds with racism. its just they don't belong in that area unless its something they can help with. i don't believe its racist.

I smell a dumb arse of the week nominee right over here! p-)
So tell me Van Gogh, he's a politician who has the ability to direct taxpayer funds where needed, how is he not needed? Or do you not want money from a cracker? :roll:

[mas-36]

I'm curious to know if this black caucus recieves any federal funding? If so, that would make their move unconstitutional and highly illegal.

[Miles.]

or a Sons of Dixie based on family members that fought for the Confederacy...

We meet Thursdays in "Invite Only."

muuuhahhahaa

[ejlee7829]

I am Jewish we have a caucus but try and start a White caucus. So what we have done is divide up the different ethnic groups but the ones left out of these groups are muts with no ethnic association? Considering the rejected members 60% black district it is very reasonable for him to join such a cacus for his black voters in his district. If we are going to have these little groups they should be based on the make up of a members district.

I will have to do a little research to see what the Black Caucus is all about. But, from what I read so far your quote makes sense to me.

[el borracho]

economic warfare. class warfare. if you stick with your people , your liabel to be called cool instead of a victim.

But that's the problem. White people don't look at all Caucasian's as their brothers. "Your people" should refer to all Americans, or whatever country you live in. My entire time growing up, parents, teachers, and other role models constantly repeated "skin color doesn't matter," in hopes that we don't discriminate based on that factor. By having a black caucus, or black anything, it's making skin color the sole factor. We're supposed to think that skin color is a trivial fact, but some people are making it the core of their identity. You can say that I'm proud to be a man, proud to be American, etc. but proud to be white?, the thought never crossed my mind. With many blacks, that is definitely not the case.

[Mastermind]

The Gay Caucus, the Fem Caucus, The Enviro Caucus, the Hispano Caucus, The Right to Choose (Abortion) Caucus, the animal Rights Caucus, The Man-Boy Love Association Caucus....but You best never belong to the White Christian Male Caucus....a lynch mob will be swiftly organized and you will be the special guest at the neck-tie party. The FBI and the Local Police will ensure you are hung according to the rules.MM

[California Joe]

Frankly, all this "caucusing" is being done on my time. I am annoyed at this. They are there for 3 days a week legislating for me. If it wasn't for all the friends I have working for the Architect of the Capitol I'd start to think the idea of loose powder in envelopes was a good idea.

[Lt. James Anderson]

Cohen is jewish.
Jews and blacks got along pretty well in the past. What seems to be the problem now? what's "the dilio"?

[Thor]

Cohen is jewish.
Jews and blacks got along pretty well in the past. What seems to be the problem now? what's "the dilio"?
As a second thought, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post that

[shocker1]

Edit:Poster corrected his asshat statement. So I will give the benefit of the doubt.

[Thor]

I changed it 5 seconds after I posted it.

[CPL Trevoga]

Edit:Poster corrected his asshat statement. So I will give the benifit of the doubt.

You're a nice guy shocker, I doubt there were any. It was mostly Anglo-Franco-Spanish business.

[shocker1]

You're nice guy shocker, I doubt there were any. It was mostly Anglo-Franco-Spanish business.
Well he did not figure on a Jew from the South posting here. However he changed his mind fast enough for me to look over it.

[mi35d]

I had a similar situation when I went to college. I was rather intrigued to learn about the Black student union not allowing white members especially since the campus had just voted off ROTC from SUNY campuses as being "exclusionary" because they didn't allow gays. I asked to join and was told to "get the F**K out" during one of their meetings.

With this in mind, I decided to go a different route and attempt to establish a "Sons of Italy" chapter on campus. The mission statement went something to the effect, "to promote the heritage of students of Italian descent". Basically to be a full member you had to show some Italian heritage, others could be auxillary members only. The campus council denied my request for a charter saying that I was discriminating against people who weren't Italian. When I brought up that the Black Student union didn't allow whites, one of the members screamed, "you're a racist!" and I was asked to leave by the monitoring professor.

Life has balance...

[MichaelF]

I had a similar situation when I went to college. I was rather intrigued to learn about the Black student union not allowing white members especially since the campus had just voted off ROTC from SUNY campuses as being "exclusionary" because they didn't allow gays. I asked to join and was told to "get the F**K out" during one of their meetings.

With this in mind, I decided to go a different route and attempt to establish a "Sons of Italy" chapter on campus. The mission statement went something to the effect, "to promote the heritage of students of Italian descent". Basically to be a full member you had to show some Italian heritage, others could be auxillary members only. The campus council denied my request for a charter saying that I was discriminating against people who weren't Italian. When I brought up that the Black Student union didn't allow whites, one of the members screamed, "you're a racist!" and I was asked to leave by the monitoring professor.

Life has balance...


What was written on the roof of the Barn in "Animal Farm"? By the end, that is?

[Hollis]

I listen to a speaker once who explained why minorities can be exclusionary under certain situations. Part of it is cultural training of all people. There is a lot of nonverbal communications that a member of the dominant part of society can use to suppress minority members. Such things as body language, dominant and submissive roles. It does not apply to all groups, and it does not have to apply to a minority who is empowered. It will hinder a person from expressing themselves, if they are submissive.

I doubt if the black caucus in D.C. is anything but submissive to a white person. If the Black Caucus was made up of of just regular people, that could be a issue.

[thscott83]

edit 123456

[Mastermind]

Frankly, all this "caucusing" is being done on my time. I am annoyed at this. They are there for 3 days a week legislating for me. If it wasn't for all the friends I have working for the Architect of the Capitol I'd start to think the idea of loose powder in envelopes was a good idea.


Joe? Is that you? :) MM

[California Joe]

My evil twin. heh.

I really hate politicians.

[dacanadianbomb]

So what was the need for a Black Caucus?
So these are guys elected by "the people" who then simply get into committees etc that only help one "racial" group?
I dont get it, I am hoping that what I am reading is all a big mistake.

[Van Gogh]

Thats the stupidest thing I ever heard.

So you're telling me that if whites had a white caucus to deal with only white issues, blacks and the media and the rest of the world would not jump all over this?

This sits well in your mind to have a certain group dealing with problems for one particular race and advancing one particular race?

White Caucus to deal with "only white issues", no colored people allowed.

What does that remind you of.

Black Caucus to deal with "only black issues", no non blacks allowed.

..but this is OK because the blacks already faced racism so instead of fixing the problem to bring unity, its OK for them to divide the country by seperating the races again by making race exclusive groups that only benefit that particular race.

Oh yeah, this is sweet.:roll:

The white caucus is called the united states government. Oh how soon we forget mr. im white and im oppressed. Now that you've insulted me, maybe i will believe you, until i walk outside again.

[Van Gogh]

But that's the problem. White people don't look at all Caucasian's as their brothers. "Your people" should refer to all Americans, or whatever country you live in. My entire time growing up, parents, teachers, and other role models constantly repeated "skin color doesn't matter," in hopes that we don't discriminate based on that factor. By having a black caucus, or black anything, it's making skin color the sole factor. We're supposed to think that skin color is a trivial fact, but some people are making it the core of their identity. You can say that I'm proud to be a man, proud to be American, etc. but proud to be white?, the thought never crossed my mind. With many blacks, that is definitely not the case.

you only play stupid. If it were up to you, you'd probably erase us off the face of the earth. Me and this thread will part now. I'm not impressed.

[Miles.]

maybe you'd understand more clearly if you knew i was black in a white mans world. Do we run the police stations? The government? So can we push YOU around? Thats exactly how it works. I'm not saying everywhere or everyone, but thats how it works. From the podunks, to the projects, to the penthouse.

You could run the government. You have as much chance as anyone else, homeboy.

Takes talent and effort.

[Geezah]

The white caucus is called the united states government. Oh how soon we forget mr. im white and im oppressed. Now that you've insulted me, maybe i will believe you, until i walk outside again.

So you're telling me that black people don't make it to positions of power within the US Government?????

I thought that was just the Democrats.......

[Mr. JOSHUA]

The white caucus is called the united states government. Oh how soon we forget mr. im white and im oppressed. Now that you've insulted me, maybe i will believe you, until i walk outside again.


The white caucus us called the United States Gov't?

Condaleeza Rice
Colin Powell
Alberto Gonzalez

What about all the minority's that are in congress and the senate?

I insulted you?

How?

By burning you with the "real world" truth?

Oh, now that everyone is burning you, you cut and run?

[Mr. JOSHUA]

Schmuck, he thinks i'm white.:cantbeli:

[WARPIG]

I think the point is.. as CJ pointed out.. there shouldn't be a need for a black caucus. This self segregation is just damaging to the black american culture. If you continue to depend on social crutches, you won't feel the need to walk on your own.


As far as this denial by the black caucus.. it was poorly played. If the man was just trying to create some hype.. they just provided it. If they just let him in and went on with their business.. they would have gained some credibility or simply taken the wind out of the spin attempt.

I sort of like that this happened. Maybe it will bring to light the absurdity of the caucus and the lack of credibility its members deserve. Also, the infighting among liberals is brought to view here.

[el borracho]

you only play stupid. If it were up to you, you'd probably erase us off the face of the earth. Me and this thread will part now. I'm not impressed.

Well played. Make unfounded personal attacks and put words in my mouth...then you take your ball and go home. :roll:

[WARPIG]

you only play stupid. If it were up to you, you'd probably erase us off the face of the earth. Me and this thread will part now. I'm not impressed.

Not just that .. but not impressive. Perhaps it is smart to stay off the thread as your personal biased doesn't make for intelligent debate.

The subject matter is controversial already.. I suggest everyone keep their manners and personal issues in positive control.

[helomech]

Would the NAACP fall under the same guise of the Black Caucus?The title alone is self segregating.......

If not,I'll stay out of this potential powderkeg..

[Geezah]

The NAACP has quite a multi race background, but you would never know that these days.

[California Joe]

Look, I agree that there was probably a time when incoming black congressman weren't always welcome everywhere, women either for that matter because of the "good old boys" But for chrissakes they are now powerful congressmen and senators, some of the most powerful people of any color in this entire country, the idea that they feel the need to band together to advance only issues that pertain to their skin color is ridiculous. Frankly just because they are black and can claim some sort of racism when they get busted with a couple of hundred G's worth of cash in their freezer or attempt to strong arm the country into giving DC a vote just further solidifies my opinion of politicians of all colors and races being power hungry douchebags.

[WARPIG]

Look, I agree that there was probably a time when incoming black congressman weren't always welcome everywhere, women either for that matter because of the "good old boys" But for chrissakes they are now powerful congressmen and senators, some of the most powerful people of any color in this entire country, the idea that they feel the need to band together to advance only issues that pertain to their skin color is ridiculous. Frankly just because they are black and can claim some sort of racism when they get busted with a couple of hundred G's worth of cash in their freezer or attempt to strong arm the country into giving DC a vote just further solidifies my opinion of politicians of all colors and races being power hungry douchebags.

The glass is always half empty with you isn't it?

[sferrin]

its called the congressional black caucus. its quite evident its a forum for black people and their issues. a white being rejected would have no bounds with racism. its just they don't belong in that area unless its something they can help with. i don't believe its racist.

So you wouldn't have any problem with the formation of a Congressional White Caucus and of course you wouldn't think it was racist either right?

[California Joe]

Yeah, I'm a buzzkill. The man is keeping me down.