By Lenny McAllister

As many of us discover along with Chairman Michael Steele, the plight of the Black Republican is one that is currently thankless but historically needed 

Question: what is the difference between if you’re a consumer considering shoplifting, if you’re a husband contemplating not buying your wife a birthday gift, and if you’re a Black Republican engaging American – particularly African-Americans – these days? 

With first, you’re damned if you do. With the second, you’re damned if you don’t. With being a Black Republican, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. 

That is a glimpse to some of what Black Republicans are actively engaging – and overcoming – in today’s political climate.  

Unfortunately, Black America may be missing the point: the struggle of Black Republicans has much more to do with them than it does to do with winning elections for the Republican Party. Fortunately for them, while some Republicans are merely trumpeting their message, these Black Republicans are causing a roar. 

The political blame game for Black America’s recent woes can be played ad nauseum from both sides, but the real political game for Black America centers around this: no true struggle for progress has ever been won with one hand on the rope as we pulled Black America to a better place. Civil Rights were not secured in the 20^th Century with only the power of the clergy leading the Movement. It took the work of the working class, the celebrity class, and the elite class of African-Americans infusing the political dynamic of America to make change in America. The same was true for ending slavery in the 19^th Century, as former slaves, freed Blacks, grassroots abolitionists, and legislators toiled to end America’s greatest moral crime. 

Why does Black America think overcoming this current collective crisis should be any different?  

Yes, Michael Steele and others “get it” as Black Republicans fight within the current system – and sometimes with the current system, if need be – in order to bring about a more inclusive, stronger America that also justly leverages more of Black America as equal partners. (And, after all, isn’t that what Black voters expect from President Barack Obama when they voted him into office in 2008?) And no, these are not leaders that serve merely as “puppets”, either, especially as more African-Americans are assuming roles of tangible leadership within the GOP – both as elected party officials and as elected public servants at the local and state levels.  

There is an understanding that America is more diverse, more connected, and more vocal (through new media, Tea Parties, and other forms of activism and communication) than ever before. As such, in order to be relevant and govern people in a republican (i.e., citizen-led) form of government, the Republican Party must relate better to the nation. Black Republicans are leading that charge in a way that perhaps reflects Mr. Steele’s message. To them – consistent with Steele’s words in a recent interview in The Atlanta Post - it matters that their efforts relate to both Dr. King’s approach to reaching out to draw people together just as it does to Malcolm X’s acknowledge that necessary change sometimes come “by any means necessary” – even if that entails engaging a changing America through the evolving image of Republicans. 

There is an acknowledgement that America is at a point of crisis under the left-leaning system of government that we have under this current administration, but further, there is a culture of crisis that Black America experiences every day after living in the shadow of Democratic leadership at the local and state levels for decades now. The roaring Black Republican of today is not out of envy of the first Black president; it is out of love for the imperiled Black community. Many see Black Republicans as acting out because they hate Black people; these Black Republicans insist on acting because they love Black people – and America. 

Their actions have led to gaining leadership and making plans to improve the nation’s collective lot – including the peril found in urban America. When GOP leadership at many levels reflects a higher percentage of African-American involvement than the national average (a notable achievement considering the low point on the delegate floor of the 2008 RNC Convention), that signifies a roar coming from Black Republicans nationally, not a whimper coming from paper tigers. With key Black Republican leadership in places including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Colorado, Texas, and Michigan – all either safe “red states” or key annual battleground states – the charge to engage the increasingly-diverse political and social landscapes in a meaningful fashion is coming from Black Republican leadership that experienced diversity as participants during America’s times of change post-Civil Rights Movement onward. They experienced first-hand what Steele expresses in saying that “…we better recognize the unique diversity of this country, the unique opportunities that are brought by a whole host of people with different lifestyles, different cultures, different experiences, that are defining America…” Because of that, the roar of Black Republicans is resonating past the point of political coincidence or transient significance.  

Some say that Black Republicans are merely puppets being used by racists to regain control in politics – notably away from President Obama. If this is true, then these racists will also have a hard time wrestling away affluence from a growing influence within political circles, as both numbers and notable positions are filling with Black Republicans.  Others say that this Black Republican movement is merely the next step in Black political advancement post-Civil Rights and post-Obama. If this is true, why are we not looking to come to the table – or, as Steele suggests, “coming back to (our) political home” – as the definition of change, the pursuit of embracing diversity, and the challenge of putting into motion a better way of life are being crafted? Either way, as Steele says: “…this is no longer your mama and your daddy’s Republican Party….”  

It can be hard being a Black Republican in 2010, but Black Republican leaders are there because, in part, they understand that it is harder still being a Black American in 2010. To date, their efforts for cultural diversity and political unity have been met by vile repudiations from many sides – including African-Americans that would protest if they were called these very things by Anglo-Americans.  Their rhetoric in showing the GOP as the “birthplace of Black political activism” and their dedication to present a better electoral offering to Black voters has been met more with emotionalism than it has been with dialogue. Yet, they believe that the principles they espouse will make things easier, so the journey goes on.  History will later show that they are on the right path – to make the Republican Party more culturally inclusive and make America more socially and economically successful.  

Especially if the sound coming from the GOP continues to sound less like a trumpet and more like a roar during the browning of America. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lenny McAllister is a syndicated political commentator, podcast co-host, and the author of the book, “Diary of a Mad Black PYC (Proud Young Conservative,)” purchased online at www.tinyurl.com/lennysdiary  and www.amazon.com. Follow him at www.twitter.com/lennyhhr and on Facebook at www.tinyurl.com/lennyfacebook .

HHR NOTE: The picture above shows 5 of the 8 Black Vice Chairs within the GOP at the state levels. From L to R: Troy Rolling, Vice Chair, Michigan GOP; Leondray Gholston, Vice Chair, Colorado GOP; Renee Amoore, Deputy Chair, Pennsylvania GOP; RNC Chairman Michael Steele; Tim Johnson, Vice Chair, North Carolina GOP; George Williams, Sr. Vice Chair, Alabama GOP.”