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 udos
to House Majority Leader Dick Armey for his letter of February 22
to NAACP President Kweisi Mfume. Armey
had seen Mfume quoted in the Baltimore Sun as wanting to
meet with top Republicans in order to discuss "education, economics,
hate crimes, and racial profiling," as well as "a lack of access
to capital and credit [in poor] communities across the nation."
So Armey sent a letter basically saying, "Great, let's meet." It
acknowledges that racism still exists, then goes on to say that,
in addition to discussing that problem, it would also be a good
idea to discuss, for instance, "parental choice in education" —
an issue where many African Americans (who favor it) part company
with the liberal establishment (which doesn't).
And then the letter proceeds to highlight "another concern that
I would like to discuss with you." Armey explains: "I believe there
is a phenomenon in American politics today that could justly be
called 'racial McCarthyism' or 'reverse race-baiting.' In my opinion,
it has become all too common practice to spread unfounded, racially
charged falsehoods against Republicans for political advantage."
Armey then gives chapter and verse: the suggestion a few years ago
that Republicans were somehow associated with church burnings; the
NAACP's television ad accusing George W. Bush of callous indifference
to the slaying of James Byrd; the likening of post-election Florida
to Selma; and then a direct quote from NAACP Chairman Julian Bond,
that the new administration "selected nominees from the Taliban
wing of American politics, appeased the wretched appetites of the
extreme right wing, and chose Cabinet officials whose devotion to
the Confederacy is nearly canine in its uncritical affection." Nasty
stuff, for sure.
Armey closes with the acknowledgment that his letter itself
| “Mfume
has demonstrated a fairness and decency toward his ideological
opponents and a concern for the long-term interests of
African Americans.” |
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will
open him to "bogus charges of racism." Nonetheless, he says, "it
is my sincere hope that you and I can get together as friends and
former colleagues to discuss this and other issues confronting our
great nation."
A wonderful letter — brilliant, really. It aggressively seizes
an opportunity to meet with Mfume, but also does two things the
Republicans ought to do more of. First, press issues where Republicans
can make common cause with many African Americans, even — indeed,
especially — where the latter break with the liberal
establishment, including organizations like the NAACP. Second, confront
the increasingly irresponsible use of the race card by the NAACP,
Jesse Jackson, and the Democratic party itself.
And yet, it is not an in-your-face letter, either. It begins and
ends on a conciliatory note, and the challenge in between is so
well documented as to be unassailable.
The response has been interesting. Mfume wrote back the next day
— "Dear Dick, It was great hearing from you the other day"
— and promised to schedule a meeting. He acknowledged the "perils
of racial polarization" and the need for "dialogue [to] replace
demagoguery on the issue of race in our nation." He even concedes,
"Like you I know that all Republicans are not racists or bigots
and neither are all Democrats saints or saviors," and that "our
mantra must read, 'race baiters of either ilk need not apply.'"
In the most intriguing line in his letter, Mfume says he wants to
"turn down the rhetoric and lay the groundwork for a different type
of coexistence and cooperation between the NAACP and the Republican
Party." Interesting.
Finally, Mfume acknowledges that his letter, too, will open him
up to "bogus charges by those who would prefer maintenance of the
status quo." And it turns out that Armey and Mfume were both right
to anticipate "bogus charges" — although, awkwardly for Mfume,
some of those charges came immediately from NAACP Chairman Julian
Bond.
Bond angrily told the Associated Press, in response to Armey's letter,
that the charge of racial demagoguery "is a typical complaint of
those who oppose justice and fairness." The spokesman for the head
of the Congressional Black Caucus, Eddie Bernice Johnson (D, Tex.),
seconded Bond's statement. By attacking Armey this way, ironically,
Bond and Johnson confirmed the accuracy of Armey's complaint.
Of course, Bond's response may ultimately carry the day for the
NAACP. Based on recent history, it probably will. As tantalizing
as Mfume's letter is, one swallow does not a spring make. Still,
it's a start.
And just as Armey deserves praise for the tactical and strategic
skills demonstrated in his letter, so Mfume deserves credit for
the courage shown in his by putting some daylight between himself
and much of the Left. In doing so, Mfume has demonstrated a fairness
and decency toward his ideological opponents and a concern for the
long-term interests of African Americans — two qualities on
rare display in the civil-rights establishment.
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