Lenny McAllister: Speaks Out on Young Republican National Federation Controversy
By HHR | July 6th, 2009 | Category: Featured, General |Read the whole story: The Daily Beast - For full story with images with regards the controversy
Lenny McAllister’s remarks on the recent controversy surrounding the Young Republican National Federation are released in the following statement:
“I am appalled that Audra Shay, a candidate seeking the highest office available for grassroots Young Republicans nationally, could support and encourage antiquated, racist language and behavior that has aided in ripping apart the Republican Party and America for decades.
“The next leader of the Young Republican National Federation must be media-savvy, culturally-sensitive, and constitutionally intact. To be so glib with offering support of a sentiment displayed in a public forum (such as Facebook) that vilely uses hateful and racist language either shows inexcusable lack of insight to the impact of the sentiment or a shared valued system with the implied message therein. Either way, if the Republican Party is going to be built from its youth, its youth cannot be poisoned in any way by the toxicity of America’s troubled racist past. This is particularly so for the YRNF’s next chairman.
“Sadly, it seems as though one of the two major candidates for the highest post within the YRNF has failed this test miserably and publicly, especially as one belonging to a generation that understands the power and speed of new media.
“What is more tragic is that by failing to comprehend our new reality as Americans and as Young Republicans, the connectivity that we all share risks being corrupted as well. For example, Governor Bobby Jindal provided an endorsement for Ms. Shay, but I now question whether this endorsement would have been granted to her knowing that the candidate encourages “… (taking) this country back from all these mad coons…”
“Somehow, I doubt it. Further, I doubt that this sentiment could help to bridge the gaps between the Republican Party and young voters, urban voters, and minority voters.
“Leadership is an ongoing exercise that prepares for opportunities to exhibit its value during key situations. Audra Shay had an opportunity to show what Republicans truly stand for when facing a disgusting and hurtful sentiment. Instead, she merely continued the poor trend of what a minority of Republicans embarrassingly enact. This is not the mark of leadership.
“Rest assured, the Republican Party and its principles of equality, justice, freedom, and strength in unity will triumph. This will occur even as the Party continues to go through a purge due to exposures of hypocrisy of some elected officials and race-based verbal snafus by some party activists.
“Although I have not actively campaigned for a candidate in this race, it is clear that I do not advocate, support, or condone the failure of leadership recently exhibited. It is my ardent belief that the Party of Lincoln will return to its proud history of being avant garde regarding freedom, equality, and prosperity. I personally will not rest until the battle of conscience for what’s just within the Republican Party and throughout America has been won by the side of equality sans bigotry. I believe that there are plenty of Republicans and Americans throughout our nation that share this sentiment with me, one that strongly contrasts the one supported by Ms. Shay, especially as we approach our national birthday.
TCNGB (Take Care N God Bless)
Lenny McAllister lives in the Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area. Before graduating from prestigious Davidson College (NC), Lenny played a role in aiding the long process of procuring nationally- renowned Alpha Phi Alpha as the first historically Black fraternity established on the College’s campus. McAllister was featured as a political commentator and writer during the Republican National Convention for several national and international outlets including CNN, CNN International, BBC World News, and Black Entertainment Television. In addition, McAllister was a guest host on the Fox News primetime webcast with Shepard Smith before Gov. Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech and a featured guest on “ABC News NOW” with Sam Donaldson in primetime before Senator John McCain’s acceptance speech.
All I can say is you must be a man of steel to take on the party like this on the issue of race. I do applaud you for taking such a stand. In the past members in our Party made excuses or remain silent even many Latino and black Republicans refused to say anything.
Facebook is to racists what To Catch a Predator has been to pedophiles. They just can’t help themselves. (and really, doesn’t that make it a godsend?)
Nice piece. Keep up the good work.
Good writing Lenny, let’s take back the Republican Party and make the GOP a party for everyone regardless of race. It’s our time.
I’m Black, 46, and a Republican for now.
I get sick and tired of Black Republicans of note not saying a damn thing when people in our party show their behinds. Good one.
seriously, did y’all start this website to sleep with white chicks?? If not, I don’t what you’re hoping to accomplish. Dick cheany, who called Nelson Mandela a terrorist and voted to keep him imprisoned, wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire. Barbara bush said the victims were getting along quite well in the refugee camps set up I Texas because they were used to those livi g conditions. Talk about disconnect. Let me know if you guys are getting work from this site. I’d love to valet park cars at McCain’s next party. Haha!!
regarding earlier post, barbara bush was referring to the hurricane katrina victims.
I can’t decide who is more pitiful, the Log Cabin Republican’s or Y’all….. Dollars to donuts sez Bobby (I renamed myself for B Brady!) Jindal does not revoke his endorsement!! Self-loathing…….Scarah Failin’s lynch mobs were hollerin’ for Obama to be “beheaded”, “kill him”….I doubt the Dixie-Crats called for the same treatment of the 1st Catholic JFK!
“Rest assured, the Republican Party and its principles of equality, justice, freedom, and strength in unity will triumph. This will occur even as the Party continues to go through a purge due to exposures of hypocrisy of some elected officials and race-based verbal snafus by some party activists”
LOL!!!!
You folks never fail to amuse me. And as a Republican, I’d like to state for the record: this party was not made for you mad coons! Get back in your cages and don’t let the sun set on your ass in a southern town.
LOL!!!
http://themoderatevoice.com/38363/on-the-heroism-of-cassie-wallender/
Republicans historically have been known as the Party of Lincoln, the party that freed the slaves. Of course, in recent history that legacy has been tarnished by a long string of politicians and GOP leaders that have said things that can only be seen as bigoted.
The recent story of Young Republican candidate Audra Shay responding to a racist comment on Facebook is but the latest sad story. Audra is running for the leadership of the Young Republicans and hopes to be elected on Saturday. Her recent reaction to an incredibly racist comment is enough for me and I hope for those attending the national convention of Young Republicans in Indianapolis, to NOT elect this woman for leadership.
But instead of focus on the follies and sins of Ms. Shay, I think there needs to be praise given to one woman for standing up to such prejudice. Cassie Wallender, a chairwoman of the Young Republicans in Washington State responded to Ms. Shay on Facebook. She called Shay on her response. The following account comes from writer John Avalon:
Cassie Wallender, a national committeewoman from the Washington Young Republican Federation, then wrote: “Someone please help a naïve Seattle girl out, is Eric’s comment a racist slur?” She answered her own question one minute later: “Okay, why is this okay? I just looked it up. ‘It comes from a term baracoons (a cage) where they used to place Africans who were waiting to be sent to America to be slaves.’ THIS IS NOT OKAY AND IT’S NOT FUNNY.”
Wallender wrote a letter to the national committee of Young Republicans sharing her concerns:
I continue to hold that stating “You go get ‘em” and “LOL” to racist remarks are not acceptable for YRs. Her continued inappropriate responses to the situation and utter lack of an apology are quite disconcerting. I do not want to see infighting as we are all on the same team ultimately, but this is unacceptable especially from any of our elected officers. Even despite the red flags of spin pointed out above, and giving Audra the benefit of the doubt regarding racism, at the very best this was extremely poorly handled by turning it into a political attack on people completely uninvolved and by showing allegiance to those making racist statements while choosing to squarely turn her back on those speaking against racism.
All in all, this is a plea to my fellow National Committee Members to look at how this was handled and decide in your own heart and mind if this was appropriate, and if this is how we want to be represented to our country.
A note of thanks has to go to Cassie for standing up and speaking out. She could have kept her concerns to herself, kept her head down and ignore the issue. Instead, she spoke up.
Some of my friends on the Left assume that all white Republicans are racists. I know that is not the case, but rarely have we seen whites in GOP speak with such courage in the face of hate.
The GOP needs more Cassie Wallenders. They need women and men who stand up for inclusion. They need people to carry the banner of Abraham Lincoln and uphold long held Republican traditions of equality.
Audra Shay had a chance to be brave in the face of hatred and failed miserably. Cassie Wallender is hero for confronting bigotry.
Kudos to you, Cassie.
Crossposted at the Progressive Republican
[...] HipHop Republican Reports that there is another Racism headache for the G.O.P. — Read about here, here and [...]
I am curious to know what you think of Rachel Hoff’s voter fraud conviction?
Or is forging signatures on ballots ok with you as long as it does’t involve racism?
About being identified as the party of Lincoln, the Republicans may want take another look at this designation. This is after all the same “Lincoln” who said the war(Civil) was not fought to free slaves but to perserve the Union. This is also the same Lincoln who stated if he could accomplish the goal (perserving the Union) without freeing a single slave, he(Lincoln) would do so. Being credited with issuing an Emancipation Proclamation only cuts but so much ice. The Republican Party has a long way to go to prove it is “user-friendly”. Republicans like that GOP congressman who made disparaging remarks about Michael Jackson do not advance the cause of the Republican Party.
At the end of the day anyone black that identifies his/herself as a republican ought to ask themselves a few questions
#1. If i were stranded in let’s say Jasper, TX might i find refuge/help from another fellow republican?
#2. Are these people who were making racist comments at Mccain/Palin rallies only talking about Obama or any person of color regardless of party affiliation?
#3. Should i find it odd that only after the election of the 1st african-american POTUS my party decides to elect a “colored” of their own???
#4. Why should i represent the party of so many hypocrits who tout “family values” but get lost on fathers day with their mistress?
#5. Is it really a need to call myself a republican when i’m sure i wouldnt be accepted in their inner most circles without having to give a fake chuckle to an off-”color” joke made in my presence?
“Rest assured, the Republican Party and its principles of equality, justice, freedom, and strength in unity will triumph. This will occur even as the Party continues to go through a purge due to exposures of hypocrisy of some elected officials and race-based verbal snafus by some party activists.
^^^^^^^^Oxymoron, if the republican party cant seem to accept gay whites, you negras have a long way to go to be considered equal in their eyes, Jim Crow anyone???<————————————–MESSAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m afraid our party will dwindle away simply because we call Pres. Obama a COON.
The Republican party is the last stronghold of BIGOTRY.
We’ll show them there libruls….vote for Audra Shay…she got a purty mouth.
This is hardly the first or highest placed Republican to condone, or utter themselves, racist remarks. You are “appalled” at Shay, but so what? What will you do to make sure it doesn’t happen again? What will you do in order to not have your membership and proselytizing on behalf of the Republican also support and condone this type of behavior by the party leadership.
The answer of course is nothing. You will continue to support a party that doesn’t just secretly not what you in it, it openly disparages you.
[...] election and her remarks certainly alienated black Republicans, including Lenny McAllister of HipHopRepublican who commented: “They just voted for a candidate who has a demonstrated tolerance for racial [...]
[...] election and her remarks certainly alienated black Republicans, including Lenny McAllister of HipHopRepublican who commented: “They just voted for a candidate who has a demonstrated tolerance for racial [...]
Oh noooo, this is TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!! They actually SPIT in yer Faces and your Moral outrage, your PC wontoness (a little respect, it used to be called)!
LORD HAVE MERCY! It couldnt get any better than this! Your beloved Booby Jindal held his SELF- LOATHING tongue and poof!, an avowed Racist gets voted in via the secret ballot box! It’s the “Bradley Effect” in reverse!! Hooo hooo… Now how’s that for a twist!!
Good God Almighty, I gotta share this w/all my progressive buds “in the hood”, MalcolmX, Bobby Hutton, Roland Freeman, Walter Pope and the “Republican” Dr King, etc, etc etc are just shaking thier heads from up there…..
Swing Low sweet Chariot…..
How long will you so-called “Hip Hop Republicans” blind yourselves to the reality that the Conservative movement has racism as one of it’s prime components? Go onto FreeRepublic and see what some of your fellow cons are saying about a PRE-TEEN Black girl (who happens to be the daughter of the President). While I will never say all conservatives are racists, I will say almost all racists are “conservative” .
To quote the father of one of the few Black men the cons embraced (at least for photo-ops), JC Watts : “A black man voting Republican is like a chicken supporting Colonel Sanders”.
I’m not familiar with the offensive remarks made on facebook. But I did a quick search and found a press release by Audra Shay. I am an Independent hoping the Republican Party will pull together. Because the disaster of debt, socialist causes by the Democrats are going to ruin our nation. I also hope for many new black conservatives for the future. Whether you are Republican, Independent or Democrat does not matter to me. What matters is Freedom, Life and Liberty. And I hope the younger generations realize their freedoms are slipping away and that professional, lifelong political bureaucrats are making far to many laws, invading everyone’s homes, businesses and shutting down Free Market systems. We are slowly marhing towards a socialist Euro culture.
I have no dog in this fight, but here is Shay’s official press release:
STATEMENT FROM AUDRA SHAY
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Yesterday on Facebook, an unfortunate incident occurred. An individual posted two comments on my Facebook wall, the first comment arguing against big government and the second filled with racially charged comments. I responded supporting the individual’s first post, to continue the fight against big government spending. I was not aware of the racial comments until sometime later, when a third individual brought it to my attention. I immediately deleted the derogatory and outright disgusting comments and subsequently posted a statement on my Facebook Status stating that in no way, shape or form are the comments posted by other individuals a reflection of me or my beliefs as an American, a Veteran, a Mother or a Candidate. I do not, nor would I ever, condone that type of language or behavior.
Unfortunately, my opponents have now spun a web of misconception and untruths, desperately trying to paint me as a racist. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, I have made it part of my Young Republican life to ensure that we did not just focus on outreach, but inclusion. Under my leadership as Chairman of the State of Louisiana’s Young Republicans, we were able to raise $90,000 for a minority outreach media campaign. Also under my leadership as Louisiana Chairman we brought the largest minority delegation to the YRNF Convention in 2007.
It is a disgrace that these types of political attacks are taking place and once again, it proves that my opponents will stoop to the lowest levels to steal this election from the jaws of victory. Our Team is one of honor and integrity. We take this service to heart and will not allow others to tarnish our reputations. If you have any questions or concerns about this matter or any other matters, please email, call or Facebook message me. I’m always available.
As to some of the childish comments on here and obvious far left mud-slinging, plus what seems to be an obvious racist sabotauge comment,
Grow up and learn history. The Republican party grew from the Abolitionist Movement and Christians. White Christians helping slaves escape through the underground railroad.
I grew up in Louisiana. Back in the 70s, we had a few racist in our school. Out of over 300 students in my senior class about 5 were taught racist culture by their parents that were white. My friends and I refused to associate with them and they were a small minority over 35yrs ago. This was in Louisiana. And oh yes, during this time I ran across a few black racist. It happens. But that does not define all black people as racist, does it?
Down in south Louisiana where the Democrats have ruled forever, racism ran rampant and the Democrats have their racist politicians fully grown for a long time. It does not mean all Democrats are racist, but certainly I ran into enough to know that many were not only racist, but crooked and could not be trusted. So? Do I now label all Democrats racist? No.
Yes, there are a few bad apples in every culture, every nation, every race. For example, like the racist church of hatred for 20yrs that Obama attended, but said he was “not aware” was racist. Or, the racist Islamic Cult run by another Chicago resident; Louis Farrahkan of Nation of Islam, a radical who during the election taught his followers that Obama was the Messiah. We next have the Latino community; La Raza = The Race or Hispanics at-large. They believe in Aztlan, that all California, New Mexico, Arizon, Texas goes back to Mexico or La Raza. And they teach radical racism through this organization, even through La Raza sponsored schools in California.
Racism exist in every race, every culture, every nation. America has done better than most. Hunreds of thousands of European Caucasions, Scots, Irish, English, Polish, German, Italian, even some French, etc., died in a civil war to set free the slaves. This happened over 140yrs ago.
Since then, millions of Africans have died at the hands of African leaders. Only in the last decade, the radical Sudanese Islamic leaders kept slaves and so did the Middle East nations. And still kill innocent Africans today supported by Russia, China and places like Saudi Arabia, with Arabian mujihadeen.
Today, leftist like Fidel, Chavez keep killing innocents and/or treating people like dogs or objects to be used for whatever ideological fodder they so desire. Doctors for Oil? Sure, Fidel ships doctors to Venezuela for oil. Thousands of doctors work for nothing in Venezuela from Cuba. Some have escaped and immigrated to America.
Yes, our nation has problems, but the last thing we need is another Far Left solution which divides everyone by race. Are there “wise Latino women.” Yes, but there are also wise Europeans, wise Africans, Asians. You see, the Left loves segregating us all by different colors in politics. This keeps everyone angry and plays into their political agenda, which is Power and Control.
The Far Left hates America, hates Free Enterprise and believes only Socialism works. They divide us and they conquer by raising up hatred which they smear all sides with.. They are great False Accusers. Don’t like a policy by the current President? You are a racist! Don’t trust organizations like Nation of Islam? You are a racist! Don’t trust organizations like CAIR, sponsored by Saudi Arabia? You are a racist!
Anyone getting the picture yet? Silence people, divide people by color and by culture. Then tell them all the only way you can solve these problems are by Big Daddy Government. Secularized, Leftist, Socialist government.
By keeping us divided, We the People - those who love families, love life, love babies, love good values for our homes and our nation based upon the original Founding Principles of this nation - they keep us from seeing the ugly truth of their False Principles whish is Eugenics, killing of babies, discarding the old with drugs and euthenasia, eliminating the “undesirables” like far left socialist - Margaret Sanger - who started Planned Parenthood in order to get limit black populations and others that are not “productive” for society.
They refuse to tell you the truth about disease spread widely through our youth today from STDs, or the ramifications of abortions and multi-abortions on women and future mothers.
Today, we now have a Science Czar who believes in population control, just like Sanger and studied under a similar nutjob.
We conservatives, especially believers need to be careful. False Accusers have only one purpose, to deny the truth, to divide our body and conquer. Today, the far left has succeeded in getting elected the most radical far left President in our nations history. Supported by a convicted felon from France: George Soros. A man who almost ruined England’s financial district and made 1 Billion on the latest financial mess in America. Yet Obama never insisted he pay back any money, did he? Soros with his billions funds all the political “non-profit” Fronts that work as Professional Media Mafia Hitmen and women. Many of these are clueless nitwits that like robots carry out their mission of hatred daily. That verbally assault, attack and deride anyone on the right who may try to stand up to the Soros made machine that built the current Democrat political machine that ousted the Clintons and put in place radicals like Axelrod and Rahm behind the scenes to orchestrate the biggest takeover of private business to Governemtn ownership in history of our nation.
Wise up, Wake up and Pull Together now those who cherish Freedom. You are purposely being pulled apart. Because apart you are weaker. There is strength in numbers. The other side knows this. They have pulled their side together by creating fake enemies and pointing fingers daily, hourly, 24/7 with professional political media outlets that do nothing but spout out hatred and propaganda against 1) Christians, 2) Conservatives, 3) Any Minority who is Conservative, 4) Republicans, 5) the Will of normal people to vote for their own rights.
They believe only Elites have rights to tell the 90% of us how to live. Why else does the Congress, Judicial, Executive and Federal bureaucracy have exemptions from the new HealthCare Law? Why do Unions have exemptions from the new healthcare?
Anyone smell a big fat Lefty Rat? That wants us to live in mediocrity like so many other socialist nations?
Stop falling for the Con-artist that pull us apart and start pulling together by Principles of Faith, Character, Integrity, Courage, Liberty and Freedom of We the People. Given our rights not by some Elitist or Far Left Socialist Think Tank, but by a Creator that loves us and values us much more than any secular humanist that simply is arrogant enough to think for us if we let them.
Remember the lessons, that every nation that succumbs to large governemt fails, becomes mediocre and complacent with little creativity, much vice and trivial pursuits. The only reason our nation was ever more exceptional than any other nation was we valued Scripture, we valued the Rock of Salvation and not the Shifting Sands of Todays Faddish Elitist who reject any God given rights.
read ‘em and weep…..1) ..] election and her remarks certainly alienated black Republicans, including Lenny McAllister of HipHopRepublican who commented: “They just voted for a candidate who has a demonstrated tolerance for racial [...]
and common Sense from No. 10 above Paine: …”You will continue to support a party that doesn’t just secretly not want you in it, it openly disparages you.”