Posted on 04/28/2005 7:29:29 AM PDT by watsonfellow
Rasta Republican Meet Los Angeles's Ted Hayes. He's black, dreadlocked--and belongs to the GOP.
BY JILL STEWART Thursday, April 28, 2005 12:01 a.m.
LOS ANGELES--Condoleezza Rice and Ward Connerly once epitomized black Republicans in California. But their ilk now also includes Ted Hayes, a social activist and inner-city coach whose billowing robes and dreadlocks don't exactly conjure up an image of the GOP.
More blacks than ever support vouchers and faith-based initiatives, and side with President Bush on gay marriage. Mr. Hayes recently made the transition himself, ending a long journey for this former leftist who founded Dome Village, an outcropping of pod-like homeless shelters along the freeway in downtown Los Angeles.
There are other prominent black Republicans in California, of course, such as syndicated radio host Larry Elder and community relations expert Joe Hicks. But even among these unusual thinkers, Mr. Hayes stands out. He's an intense critic of L.A.'s powerful "black old guard"--Democratic politicians, charity bosses and inner-city preachers who, for a generation, have responded to poverty and illiteracy by demanding government programs and blaming white racism.
Not surprisingly, plenty of people wish pesky black Republicans like Mr. Hayes would just slink away. He has skewered L.A.'s entrenched black leaders as "Negro officials," and he has the street cred to get away with it. As L.A. endured another crisis between black leaders and cops recently, he refused to denounce police for shooting dead a 13-year-old, Devin Brown, after a car chase. Instead, Mr. Hayes's press release faulted black church leaders who, despite their great power, rarely point to the lack of parental responsibility.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
It's not like any other Republican would take the chance.
He's a great guy, it would make an interesting race, and who knows, he could win it.
Guess this answers my question!
As long as he's not a real follower of Ras Tafari.
i think this may be the beginning of a trend...
I wouldnt mind if he is - Freedome of Religion and all that
Besides I am for legalization of MJ- it is WAYYYYYYYY less harmful then alcohol.
All the cops I work with tend to argree, saying they never had a domestic violence call from potheads.
Besides it is natural and I believe has some health benefits
Except that Rastafarians tend to be toward the Wahhabi end of the spectrum.
Seriously, why not run him against Di FI?
He'd be able to get enough media attention/publicity that he wouldn't need to spend much on commercials.
He is respected in the African American community and could cut DiFI's vote there.
Conservatives across the country would line up to give money to him.
He'd be running with Arnold, who will cruise to victory.....
Plus, he'd kill DiFI in any debates.
Oh man, I read about Hayes this morning in Opinion Journal and def like what I read. He could take on both Boxer and Feinstein at the same time as far as I care.
Rasta Republican
(Ted Hayes for Senate!)
Posted by watsonfellow
On News/Activism 04/28/2005 7:29:29 AM PDT · 9 replies · 262+ views
opinionjournal.com ^
Rasta Republican
(Jill Stewart On Ted Hayes As The Black Republican Liberals Love To Hate Alert)
Posted by goldstategop
On News/Activism 04/27/2005 9:13:00 PM PDT · 41 replies · 699+ views
Wall Street Journal ^ | 04/28/05 | Jill Stewart
If he has dreadlocks to get media attention or to confront complacency, that's fine. If his religion is really Rastifarian, I would have problems, even if he's right about other issues.
Why would his religion have anything to do with governing? Isn't Ted Hayes the guy whose daughter was in last year's summer olympics?
BTTT!
I like the idea, and I like him.
Wooo hooo! Makin' the big time! And the MSM don't quite know what to do about it! Yeeeee haaaaa!
![]()
CROSS COUNTRY
Rasta Republican
Meet Los Angeles's Ted Hayes. He's black, dreadlocked--and belongs to the GOP.
BY JILL STEWART
Thursday, April 28, 2005 12:01 a.m.
LOS ANGELES--Condoleezza Rice and Ward Connerly once epitomized black Republicans in California. But their ilk now also includes Ted Hayes, a social activist and inner-city coach whose billowing robes and dreadlocks don't exactly conjure up an image of the GOP.
More blacks than ever support vouchers and faith-based initiatives, and side with President Bush on gay marriage. Mr. Hayes recently made the transition himself, ending a long journey for this former leftist who founded Dome Village, an outcropping of pod-like homeless shelters along the freeway in downtown Los Angeles.
There are other prominent black Republicans in California, of course, such as syndicated radio host Larry Elder and community relations expert Joe Hicks. But even among these unusual thinkers, Mr. Hayes stands out. He's an intense critic of L.A.'s powerful "black old guard"--Democratic politicians, charity bosses and inner-city preachers who, for a generation, have responded to poverty and illiteracy by demanding government programs and blaming white racism.
Not surprisingly, plenty of people wish pesky black Republicans like Mr. Hayes would just slink away. He has skewered L.A.'s entrenched black leaders as "Negro officials," and he has the street cred to get away with it. As L.A. endured another crisis between black leaders and cops recently, he refused to denounce police for shooting dead a 13-year-old, Devin Brown, after a car chase. Instead, Mr. Hayes's press release faulted black church leaders who, despite their great power, rarely point to the lack of parental responsibility...-- snip --
It's mainly a drug thing.
I wouldn't let that rule him out, necessarily, but it might be a consideration. As long as he's not in a position to legalize drugs, I suppose it wouldn't matter too much, just as I am willing to support otherwise admirable pro-aborts as long as they are not in a position to further the pro-abortion agenda.
I know some Freepers disagree about drug legalization. My position is that not everyone has the strength of will to resist drug addiction, and I hate to see weak people and children's lives wrecked. I don't think the war on drugs has been fought very intelligently, or under clinton honestly, but I don't want to see drug legalization, or a drug advocate as a model for youth. As I say, I may be completely wrong about this, so it's more of a question than an objection.
Why would his religion have anything to do with governing?See also THIS article, from www.cdmucc.org:Isn't Ted Hayes the guy whose daughter was in last year's summer olympics?
...I was also reading about Joanna Hayes, the winner of the Olympic gold medal in the 100 meter hurdles. (She lives in Riverside.) Something was different about her from early on. Her father, Ted Hayes, said Joanna was already running tirelessly at age 2. She kept running from wall to wall within their living room. I mean for hours. We wondered what was wrong with her. Evidently nothing was wrong with Joanna; fortunately she found what God has for her to do, for now. She has cultivated her speed, she has been doing her work. Shes still running, and fast.
Even so, the gold medal didnt just come. Joanna suffered upheaval in her early life, which caused her to observe, Strength and power come from struggle and pain Maybe things would have been better if my life had been different. But when you wake up in the morning knowing things are going to be tough that day, it builds character.
But the real kicker is what caused her upheaval. Her father, Ted Hayes, has lived among the homeless in Los Angeles for the last twenty years. He has become an influential political activist on their behalf. One day in 1984 he was watching a TV documentary about Tent City, where homeless folks gathered in downtown L.A. He was concerned for them, Gods children, out there sleeping on the streets. He was already then a devoted follower of Jesus. I believe the Lord spoke to me that evening, he saysand he responded.
Then and there, he decided he must obey. He uprooted away from his family. His wife and four children stayed in their home in Riverside; he moved to Los Angeles to live among, and advocate for, the homeless. (Thats where he still lives today, except for some weekends in Riverside.) Joannathe one who just won the goldwas 6 when he left. [Aug 28 L.A. Times]
Maybe I didn't read the article clearly, but I think that Steward or the copy editor wrote "Rasta" because he had dreadlocks, not because he was a member of the Rasta religion.
i think this may be the beginning of a trend...See also, from the California Republican Party (CRP) convention last August:
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.