This post is currently being edited and is not completed
Florida's closed primary system disproportionately affects the rights of registered Black Republicans to vote in gerrymandered black districts across the country. A black Republican candidate who runs in a black district faces tremendous odds in winning an election . Under a closed primary system, two things happen. First the closed primary system only allows voters to vote for their party affiliated candidate in the primary. A voter will either receive a Democrat ballot or a Republican ballot.
Second, the majority of candidates running for office in black districts are Democrats therefore, registered black Republican voters in black districts cannot vote in the primary because the Democrat candidates name will not appear on their ballot. An overwhelming majority of the time, candidates running in black districts are democrats so, rarely ever is there a general election. Gerrymandering and closed primaries disproportionately affects black districts. It nullifies black voters opportunity to participate in a general election and choose the candidate of their choice, whether Republican or Democrat.
Therefore, if you are a registered black Republican you receive a Republican ballot in which there is only Republican candidates, which means a black Republican living in a majority democrat district cannot vote for a candidate in their district because the candidates are Democrats. Very few Blacks run on a republican ticket. There is no general election. Consequently, a black Republican is left out of the loop altogether. Whereas, in White districts almost 100% of the time there is a Republican and Democrat candidate, which allows both democrats and Republicans to participate in the complete election cycle, the primary and the general election. Florida's closed primary system disproportionately affects black Republicans
In districts that are subjected to gerrymandering all voters are allowed the opportunity to exercise their right to choose the candidates of their choice both in the primary and the general election. Notwithstanding, under Florida's closed primary system blacks who runs as a Republican in a Black Democrat district and faces opponents appears on a Republican ballot in which black Democrats will not be allowed the opportunity to vote. Furthermore, the chance of making to the general election is narrowed down because Blacks in those districts are not aligned to the Republican party, their are very few ,if any, registered black Republicans living in black districts, since most Republican in Florida are white, if the Black Republican faces an opponent in the primary odds are the opposition will be white.
Rarely ever if at all will two black Republicans face off in a majority black district. In is this a black or white issue, so this should not be taken out of context. There is no law stating that a black candidate should be able to vote for a black candidate. Unfortunately, closed primaries and gerrymandering disproportionately affects blacks in their ability to run, win , or vote as a candidate of any other party aside from the democrat party, which is a constitutional violation of the right life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is a Florida closed primary and gerrymandering issue, which makes it possible for a white Republican to win in the primary and face a Black opponent in the general election and creates an environment in which a Black Republican must depend on the support of the majority white Republicans (which are not representative of the entire district) to get elected in the primary. This is not to say white Republicans will not vote for black candidates, again gerrymandering and closed primaries are the issue here, which denies black Republicans a level playing field.
Denying a black Republican who lives in a majority Democrat black district the right to participate in the electoral process, violates the Voting Rights Act of 1964. Where does the Black Caucus, the NAACP, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton stand pertaining to this issue. This process is a grave injustice to freedom. Blacks who are registered Republicans are dealt a severe blow to their freedom under the closed primary system. This system is discriminatory and disproportionately impedes on the rights of all blacks to participate in the political process regardless of race or political party.
Recently, I obtained a a copy of Canter Brown Jr's book titled " Florida Black Elected Officials 1867-1924" The book spanned the post civil war reconstruction era. The total number of blacks who served in public service during post civil war era reached closely to 1000. Unfortunately, Florida's black political leadership has received relatively little attention from lawmakers or historians . According to Brown, the picture appears to be no brighter on the regional and national level.
"As Howard Dodson noted in his foreword to Eric Foner's 1993 work Freedom's Lawmakers, " A Directory of Black Officeholders During Reconstruction", "Until recently, little was known about black Reconstruction lawmakers." Some readers doubtlessly will be surprised to learn, for example, that Florida's African Americans, in a pattern probably repeated in other southern states, resisted disenfranchisement and political exile for a generation or more after the end of Reconstruction. Perhaps a majority of Florida's black officials served after 1876 .
According to Cantor Brown's "Florida's first Black Elected Officials 1867-1924", gerrymandering began in 1889. At this time, post reconstruction Democrats in Florida watched their power increased. They determined to finally eliminate the possibility of Black political power for good. They devised measures such as "eight ballot-box system and most potent of all was the poll tax imposed by legislators and pushed ward system into placed that significantly diminished black representation on local councils to a maximum of one or two votes. As blacks threatened Democrat power, they reacted by putting into place new and stricter voter registration procedures and the permitting of reorganization of municipalities into wards that isolated black voters into one or two districts. These ward schemes were enacted throughout Florida.
Canton further stated " White Republicans also distanced themselves from aggressive black leaders. As early as January 1887 Willis Menard, a black editor and poet, a Republican who served in Florida's House of Representatives in 1874 reported in his newspaper the "Southern Leader "the Carpet-baggers are quietly organizing a Republican party in that State from among the leadership of which colored men are to be carefully excluded." These "Lily White" Republicans spread their message during the year and into 1888, forming influential clubs at Jacksonville, Tampa and other locations". John Willis Menard, September 1876 " The [ white carpetbaggers] have succeeded in getting the whole hog by ignoring the colored people and Southern loyalists, and also by committing frauds upon the party. Every intelligent colored man knows these facts. This ring does not represent Republican principles, neither does it care anything for the colored man except his vote".
From 1870 to 1965 post reconstruction blacks held the most significant representation in government. Blacks held significant representation in Congress. During which time, Republicans seated 2 black Senators and elected numerous blacks to the House of Representative. Likewise, in 1967 Republicans elected a black to congress. It was not until 1979 that Democrats elected their first black to the Senate, Carol Mosely Braun. Not until 2oo5 ,was another black elected to the Senate, Barack Obama. May God help us as we strive to level the playing field.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Politics From the Black Woman Perspective: The Republican Party vs. Black Women Voting Block
I am a Black woman, who has experienced many if not all the aspects of the political spectrum. Having belonged to the Democrat party, (a former president of the local chapter of the National Organization for Women) the socialist party, the Republican party, a Republican candidate for office, political activist, ordained minister, the daughter of a maid (Mrs. Katy's), my father a laborer, and most importantly a single mother who lives in urban area I am some what of an expert when it comes to urban politics.
I paid my dues to society by not allowing my sons to become delinquent "I told you so (s). My sons and I attended college together. Struggling, I earned my AA degree in education. After earning three semesters of college credits towards my Bachelor degree in Education, I was forced to delay my education to repair a knee injury which plagued me for five years. I walked around with this hideous brace, it was beginning to become a a part of me.
Shackled, I walked onto the stage to receive my first degree. Shackled, I ran for public office. I worked for UPS and tutored elementary students while attending college. Notwithstanding, It took the company five years to repair my knee because the company's attorney, Albert Garcia, was convinced that I was faking, and that all I wanted was something for nothing. Grudgingly, he suggested numerous times that I should settle for a job at the nearest Burger King, instead of setting my sights on a college degree.
Constantly, he reminded me that justice really does mean "Just Us". It took a federal appeals mandate to get the company to comply with the local administrative judge's ruling. Consequently, I am currently, working towards my short-term goal of completing a bachelor's degree in Educational Studies and a long term doctorate. Therefore, I walk the walk and talk the talk each day as a Black woman in America.
I can still remember running for office as a Republican. I got no support from the "big dogs" in the party. They snuffed their noses at me. Amazingly, and to the dismay of some Republicans, I received 33 % of the vote in a majority Black district, dominated by Democrats. A reporter for the St. Petersburg times, (Christina Silva) ,virtually describe me as a trifling, unemployed, low-income, angry, (sapphire) Black woman. Having paid my suffrage dues, I can now honestly and without hestitation, claim the title of an official spokeswoman for urban Black women. I dare anyone to deny me "THE TITLE".
My mother worked as a maid to support her family. To my credit, I can never forget as a little girl, watching from the window each day as my mother got out of the back seat of Mrs. Katy's car, after a grueling day of slaving for pennies. In order to avoid political uncorretness, she was not permitted to ride in the front seat of the car with Mrs. Katy ( I often tried to convince myself and my friends that she was actually being chauffered). To add insult to injury, not one dime was paid into Social Securiy benefits for my mother's retirement, eventhough she worked for 30 years. Alarmingly, many other Blacks identify with the same plight. I promised myself that one day my mother would live her legacy through me.
Unfortunately, this did not take place in the 1920s, it took place over a thirty year period, extending into the latter part of 1988. I often questioned my mother as to the inequality of the situation, and her answer was "Sharon your mouth will be your ruin one day". My naysayers will respond to her statement with "she never lied".
One thing that I can say for people like Mrs. Katy, is that you knew where they stood and you knew what you were up against. (FYI, Mrs. Katy was a Republican). It is the political patronizers who are a danger to the social, economic, and political survivor of Black people. Blacks recognize the danger involved in the party's advancement to the far right.
There must never come another time in the history of this country when Black people are terrorized and blamed for the economic situation in America. Republicans had better take the reins and guide this party to avoid racial upheavial by growing radicals, who have entrenched themselves and are infiltrating their far right Nazi agenda.
So, understand my perspective is not from an elitist, shallow, poor Black people sympathizer view point. I challenge the likes of the critical Black elite: Juan Williams, Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Bill Cosby, Larry Elder, Star Parker, and Pastor Manning to come up with a solution. stop denigrating Black people with their critical disgust, which entertains the Republican party and lets them off the hook for their lack of Black elected officials and Black participation in the party.
Republicans know all to well that historically they left the Black vote, the Black vote did not leave them. If you listen closely to the Black elite's message, the object of their disgust is actually geared toward Black women. I dare to say that not one of these Black critics will spit on urban Blacks let alone go into their neighborhood, which they escaped. They serve the same purpose as Black Democrats only, they are the new breed of Republican political pimps.
Marginalized, despised, disenfranchised and rejected Black woman must take a stand against this monsterous, government socialist system which has engulfed their urban community. A system which refuses to let go of its grip, while denying its captives the right to trust in the living God as savior, provider, and lord. A destructive government stronghold that denies the freedom to exist independently to an entire race.
The survival of any race depends on its women and whether we like it or not, historically Black women are the mothers of civilization. Civilization began with the Black woman and it will end with the Black woman because that is how God ordained it. If you have a problem with this, check with the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The soverign lord, who makes peace and creates evil. Likewise he kills and makes alive. No bragging, just the facts.
Historically, Black society is a matriarch society. The political party who is ready to adopt and enlist the principals of "It takes a village to raise a child" is the institution who will guarantee truth, liberty, and freedom to Black people in America. Republicans you need to realize that it is the Black woman who has the ballot power. Furthermore, we have awakened to the fact that Black preachers have pimped our vote for too long.
"Moses go down to Egypt and tell Ol' Pharoh to let my people go". God commanded Moses to tell Ol' Pharoh to let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. U. S. government let God's people go so that they may serve, trust, and love the Lord with all their heart, their soul, and their might.
I paid my dues to society by not allowing my sons to become delinquent "I told you so (s). My sons and I attended college together. Struggling, I earned my AA degree in education. After earning three semesters of college credits towards my Bachelor degree in Education, I was forced to delay my education to repair a knee injury which plagued me for five years. I walked around with this hideous brace, it was beginning to become a a part of me.
Shackled, I walked onto the stage to receive my first degree. Shackled, I ran for public office. I worked for UPS and tutored elementary students while attending college. Notwithstanding, It took the company five years to repair my knee because the company's attorney, Albert Garcia, was convinced that I was faking, and that all I wanted was something for nothing. Grudgingly, he suggested numerous times that I should settle for a job at the nearest Burger King, instead of setting my sights on a college degree.
Constantly, he reminded me that justice really does mean "Just Us". It took a federal appeals mandate to get the company to comply with the local administrative judge's ruling. Consequently, I am currently, working towards my short-term goal of completing a bachelor's degree in Educational Studies and a long term doctorate. Therefore, I walk the walk and talk the talk each day as a Black woman in America.
I can still remember running for office as a Republican. I got no support from the "big dogs" in the party. They snuffed their noses at me. Amazingly, and to the dismay of some Republicans, I received 33 % of the vote in a majority Black district, dominated by Democrats. A reporter for the St. Petersburg times, (Christina Silva) ,virtually describe me as a trifling, unemployed, low-income, angry, (sapphire) Black woman. Having paid my suffrage dues, I can now honestly and without hestitation, claim the title of an official spokeswoman for urban Black women. I dare anyone to deny me "THE TITLE".
My mother worked as a maid to support her family. To my credit, I can never forget as a little girl, watching from the window each day as my mother got out of the back seat of Mrs. Katy's car, after a grueling day of slaving for pennies. In order to avoid political uncorretness, she was not permitted to ride in the front seat of the car with Mrs. Katy ( I often tried to convince myself and my friends that she was actually being chauffered). To add insult to injury, not one dime was paid into Social Securiy benefits for my mother's retirement, eventhough she worked for 30 years. Alarmingly, many other Blacks identify with the same plight. I promised myself that one day my mother would live her legacy through me.
Unfortunately, this did not take place in the 1920s, it took place over a thirty year period, extending into the latter part of 1988. I often questioned my mother as to the inequality of the situation, and her answer was "Sharon your mouth will be your ruin one day". My naysayers will respond to her statement with "she never lied".
One thing that I can say for people like Mrs. Katy, is that you knew where they stood and you knew what you were up against. (FYI, Mrs. Katy was a Republican). It is the political patronizers who are a danger to the social, economic, and political survivor of Black people. Blacks recognize the danger involved in the party's advancement to the far right.
There must never come another time in the history of this country when Black people are terrorized and blamed for the economic situation in America. Republicans had better take the reins and guide this party to avoid racial upheavial by growing radicals, who have entrenched themselves and are infiltrating their far right Nazi agenda.
So, understand my perspective is not from an elitist, shallow, poor Black people sympathizer view point. I challenge the likes of the critical Black elite: Juan Williams, Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Bill Cosby, Larry Elder, Star Parker, and Pastor Manning to come up with a solution. stop denigrating Black people with their critical disgust, which entertains the Republican party and lets them off the hook for their lack of Black elected officials and Black participation in the party.
Republicans know all to well that historically they left the Black vote, the Black vote did not leave them. If you listen closely to the Black elite's message, the object of their disgust is actually geared toward Black women. I dare to say that not one of these Black critics will spit on urban Blacks let alone go into their neighborhood, which they escaped. They serve the same purpose as Black Democrats only, they are the new breed of Republican political pimps.
Marginalized, despised, disenfranchised and rejected Black woman must take a stand against this monsterous, government socialist system which has engulfed their urban community. A system which refuses to let go of its grip, while denying its captives the right to trust in the living God as savior, provider, and lord. A destructive government stronghold that denies the freedom to exist independently to an entire race.
The survival of any race depends on its women and whether we like it or not, historically Black women are the mothers of civilization. Civilization began with the Black woman and it will end with the Black woman because that is how God ordained it. If you have a problem with this, check with the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The soverign lord, who makes peace and creates evil. Likewise he kills and makes alive. No bragging, just the facts.
Historically, Black society is a matriarch society. The political party who is ready to adopt and enlist the principals of "It takes a village to raise a child" is the institution who will guarantee truth, liberty, and freedom to Black people in America. Republicans you need to realize that it is the Black woman who has the ballot power. Furthermore, we have awakened to the fact that Black preachers have pimped our vote for too long.
"Moses go down to Egypt and tell Ol' Pharoh to let my people go". God commanded Moses to tell Ol' Pharoh to let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. U. S. government let God's people go so that they may serve, trust, and love the Lord with all their heart, their soul, and their might.
Friday, June 11, 2010
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