Mfume Breaks Rank
An olive branch from the NAACP.

Mr. Clegg is general counsel of the Center for Equal Opportunity
February 27, 2001 3:30 p.m.

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 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.