It’s easy to forget now, but just a few generations ago African-Americans overwhelmingly identified themselves as Republicans. The story of how the Party of Lincoln lost its black support is long and sad, but understanding what happened will be critical as the Party looks to improve its standing in the black community.

You could start the story in the fall of 1895, when Atlanta put on one in a series of “International Expositions” designed to highlight its progress in recovering from the war. Racial tensions had been growing since Southerners, at the end of Reconstruction, began instituting Jim Crow laws to curtail black civil rights. Those laws were under challenge at the time and there were differences among blacks on the merits of direct resistance.

“Light-skinned” African-American; “with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one” is what the accused, US Senator Harry Reid, admitted saying in reference to the current President of the United States. Members of the jury I want it noted that both the senator and the commander-in-chief are members of the political party ( Democrat ) which brands itself as African-Americans secular saviors. I want the record to reflect my shock ( yeah right! ) that a Democrat of such stellar standing would stoop to racist language more fitting a Republican. This imaginary opening statement is from a trial by public opinion envisioned to address these comments. As y’all can see, I’m no fan of racists or Democrats per se.

Memo to Black Folks and progressives: You’ve got your share of ideological Klansman too!! They just mask it better than counterparts on the political Right. We should welcome this revelation about the good Senator as proof that prejudice isn’t conveniently confined to White folks with ” R” for Republican after their names. Lest we forget, Southern Democrats met all 20th Century federal civil rights legislation with rhetorical pitch forks jabbing. These jabs were punctuated by police gunfire and billy club blows targeting down South civil rights protesters. Officers in these violent jurisdictions were proud ” yellow dog Democrats ” since that was the only party in the South at that time. I’ve seen too much racism from Dems local and otherwise to fall for their ” Black people’s best friend ” routine. The GOP has set new lows in modern racism itself but at least their racists are up front about it. I respect honesty over patronizing lies any day of the week.

Some breaking news Republican, Gow Fields just won a seat for Mayor in Lakeland, Fl.

Pearl Bailey was considered The Ambassador of Love by many people with-in The Republican Party as well as around the world. Pearl Bailey was born in the same home town, of Newport News, Virginia, and in the same birth year as the legendary jazz singer, named Ella Fitzgerald, on March 29th, 1918. Bailey eventually served as a United Nations’ Goodwill Ambassador under several Republican Presidential Administrations.

In 1888, at the Republican National Convention, Douglass also received one vote as President of The United States making him the first African-American to receive any vote at all as President of the United States in the United States. And, in 1892, he was appointed Commissioner to The Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition by The Haitian Government. Frederick Douglass was also referred to as “the founder of The American Civil Rights Movement.”

A black Republican by the name of Les Phillips is running for office in Alabama’s District 5. According to wikipedia Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses the counties of Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison and Jackson. It also includes parts of Morgan County.

HT – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution  By Jim Wooten State Rep. Melvin Everson, now of Snellville, hopes to be the first black Republican to win statewide office in Georgia. He’s running for state labor commissioner, an office Democrat Michael Thurman is rumored to be leaving to run for lieutenant governor. When Republicans took control of Congress [...]