Posted on 01/19/2011 4:52:51 AM PST by ConjunctionJunction
HOUSTON - It's a tea party unlike any Houston, and perhaps the entire country, has ever seen. The first Black Tea Party held its inaugural meeting Tuesday night in the Third Ward. Organizers of the Crispus Attucks Tea Party are quick to point out that anyone is welcome and it's not a political party.
Their mission statement reads in part:
"To build a strong base of conservative Black entrepreneurs, elected officials and constituents that provide Black conservatives a viable way to express and implement their conservative values politically."
Co-founder Anita Moncrief says the party is also looking to overcome stereotypes.
"We're trying to break the stereotype that the tea party is racist," said Moncrief.
At least half of the 75 or so people who attended the first meeting are white and have been defending the rights of taxpayers for a while.
Then there's Marie Johnson, a longtime Black Democrat. She's fed up with the direction the country is going and wanted to see what the movement is all about.
"It (race) didn't make any difference to me as long as I had a tea party and we get together," said Johnson.
The meeting was held at "This Is It" Soul Food restaurant in the heart of the Third Ward. It's no secret Black voters overwhelmingly support Democratic candidates.
Customers we spoke with are skeptical the Black Tea Party movement will be successful.
"It's just not in my system to want to identify with any party other than Democrat," said John Hollins".
"It's not really about Republican or Democrat. It's about the black community. The minority vote has been misused and manipulated by people for so long," said Moncrief.
Newly elected Texas State Representative James Early White (R-TX District 12) isn't worried about taking any heat for being a Black Tea Party activist. He won in a predominantly white district.
"I've won a campaign, so I don't know about any backlash," he said.
Johnson doesn't feel she has to defend her views either.
"Frankly I'm the type of person that's not afraid to step out of the box. I think Black people need to be more concerned about what our politicians are doing for our community, where is our money going and what are they doing with it," said Johnson.
I do believe Anita Moncrief is moving further to the right all the time.
When did conducting Tea party rallies based on race become a Conservative Tea Party principle? That in itself is racist.
Sure seems that way, doesn’t it?
On one hand I think it’s great, but on the other hand, it bugs me that they feel the need to self-segregate.
I hear ya. I’m also thinking “baby steps”.
Sounds racist and hardly conservative to me also.
Thus, it is out of concern for my felow man that I must warn diners that the soul food restaurant "This Is It" referenced in the article has horrible food and filthy tables, but the service is even worse.
I am surprised the Health Dept. has not shut them down!
I wonder how long it will be before pundits on the left denounce this group as being “uneducated” and “racist?”
It won’t be segregated if some whites/hispanics/asians etc show up.
Naw man da fut be gooit, it be dat special “cracker” sause added on yo behalf you be tastin.
You keep hanging out in that part of town you better dig up your guns.
Obviously the Left must halt this flight from the plantation. Expect the following strategy:
1. Ignore it. You will find the story only on a handful of conservative sites.
2. Diminish it. Should the story acquire “legs”, if it appears in the old-fashioned press, it will only be as a sidebar with pointed comments about its limited appeal and its fragility.
3. Demean it. If it continues to gather strength, call in the Revs (Sharpton, Jackson, and Farrahan) and whatever other Step ‘n’ Fetchits are on the Dem payroll to condemn it as an “Uncle Tom” sellout movement that betrays Da Bruthas. (As a side benefit, after spewing a flood of such bitter invective, plead for civility in our public discourse.)
4. Savage it. Call out the big guns. Get Obamateur to deride it as a thoughtless, extremist organization in thrall to Wall Street fat cats, corrupt bankers, and George Bush. Sic Homeland Security, the IRS, and the Justice Department on its members. That’ll learn ‘em to git uppity.
You have a hugh and series problem there John.
Pull the lever for the (d) candidate.
Pull the lever for the (d) candidate.
Pull the lever for the (d) candidate.
Pull the lever for the (d) candidate.
Pull the lever for the (d) candidate.
Pull the lever for the (d) candidate.
Pull the lever for the (d) candidate.
Repeat as needed to keep getting free [from the taxpayers] stuff.
“It (race) didn’t make any difference to me as long as I had a tea party and we get together,” said Johnson.
That’s fine and dandy Ms. Johnson, but you’d be welcome at ANY Tea Party rally. Would I be able to come to yours since I’m not of the black persuasion? :)
zackly. gimme salt & pepper, anytime.
The “Black” in “Black TEA Party” defeats the entire purpose of the movement.
I understand why she is doing this but I believe it is a mistake.
I am a Jew and I would not like to see a Jewish Tea Party group. I don’t think there should be a black one.
The Tea Party message is universal-American and once we divide by ethnicity or faith we risk bringing in parochial interests that divide us.
So would I, an American who happens to be white, not be welcome at this black organization? Should I confer with the members of our local organization to refer Americans who happen to be black to other race specific Tea Parties? What happens to the brown members, who takes them? Latinos and a lot of Asians are both brown, should they be combined by color, or should they be divided by racial guidelines? And what about Americans who happen to be some other color than black, white or brown, where should they fit in?
OK, the sarcasm is on hold. This is the most stupid idea I have heard of yet. Must we eternally be identified by race in this country? If anything could succeed in tearing us apart, this is it.
This can’t be true ... we all know that the Tea Party is just a bunch of racist, old white guys that like guns. /s
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