Here's an interesting headline: Black Caucus: Whites Not Allowed. What's revealing in it are the attitudes expressed by members of the Black Caucus in Congress.
A little backstory is in order. Freshman Rep. Stephen I. Cohen, D-Tenn, explored joining the Black Caucus as he represents a majority-black district previously represented by Rep. Harold Ford. Oops. Cohen has a problem. He's... not black. I can see why he considered joining, as a way to gain insight into the people he represents. Well, it ain't happening. Which isn't a shock, mind you. But what I find interesting is the attitudes expressed on the part of members of the Black Caucus.
"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.
Heh. Rules for thee, but not for me. How much of what Representative Clay said could have issued from genteel white lips in the 50's? I understand the impulse of the Caucus to act as it has - but, still, the echoes of the past are a bit eerie.
When do we move beyond? The answer - certainly not as long as the leadership of the Civil Rights movement remains invested in the past, and can only see through lenses forged in the struggle. I'm not suggesting the battle is over - but I am suggesting perhaps the landscape has changed.
You should read the rest, here at The Politico.
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