Councils, Caucuses and Consequences

by James A. Landrith, Jr.
June 10, 1999

Over the last several months, The Multiracial Activist has lobbed assault after assault on the racism of the right. First at Bob Jones University, then at Senator Trent Lott and the Council of Conservative Citizens. Now it's time again to talk about the racism on the left. What? What did you say? Racism on the left? How is that possible?

Ladies and Gentlemen, not only is it possible, its a bigger threat to true racial harmony in this nation than all the sheets and swatiskas the right can muster. It walks amongst you everyday and you don't see it. It says it's progressive, but only to a point. Are you it? Do you unknowingly support it? Let's see.

Recently, Rep Jim Clyburn (D-SC-6), a man I respect and admire pushed legislation introduced by Rep Robert Wexler (D-FL-19) to condemn the racism of the Council of Conservative Citizens. Seems like a no-brainer, huh? If you've been reading long you know that yours truly has criticized the Council many times as well. You may remember a letter to Trent Lott. Rep Wexler's legislation is obviously good legislation, right? Of course. It expresses Congressional contempt for the Council's racist activities without putting restrictions on the First Amendment. Congress gets to say they're bad people, but doesn't damage the Constitution in the process. Well, Senator Lott refused to endorse the legislation in the Senate. No surprise there. WE ALL KNOW ABOUT HIM. The little bit of information not discussed though, is how the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) fought similar legislation condemning the racist behaviour of Mr. Khalid Abdul Mohammed in 1994. That was also a good piece of legislation. And for the exact same reasons.

Why did several prominent members of the CBC including last Congress' CBC-Chair, Rep Maxine Waters and former CBC-Chair and Rep Kweisi Mfume, now President of the NAACP oppose the legislation in 1994 when it targeted a former leader of the Nation of Islam, a racist organization that openly preaches against interracial marriage and denigrates Jews, just like the Council of Conservative Citizens? Why did the CBC embrace and vigorously promote similar legislation in 1999 when it was directed at the Council of Conservative Citizens? Simple – racism by NOI and other "acceptable" groups is ignored and often embraced by the left. Especially if it targets interracial marriages and Jews and that organization can be justified as a minority friendly organization. Instead of getting lumped in with the Klan and others, they are embraced by the CBC and NAACP whose leadership prior to Rep Clyburn taking over the CBC this year have also made some intolerant comments directed at self-identifying multiracials and those in interracial marriages. In fact, Mfume went out of his way to build relations with NOI. To excuse or downplay racism because it comes in your favorite color is wrong whether your name is Kweisi or Trent or you come from Maryland or Mississippi.

Rep Maxine Waters (D-CA-35) and the other members of the Congressional Black Caucus who spoke against the legislation in 1994 are no better than Senator Lott for speaking against similar legislation in 1999.

As a result, I hereby propose my own citation of shame:

The Multiracial Activist cites Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott for refusing to support legislation condemning the racist actions/words of the Council of Conservative Citizens in 1999.

The Multiracial Activist also cites Representatives William Clay, Cynthia McKinney, Donald Payne, Bobby Rush, Edolphus Towns, Maxine Waters and Melvin Watt of the current Congressional Black Caucus as well as all other Members opposed for refusing to support House Resolution 343 condemning the racist actions/words of Mr. Khalid Abdul Mohammed, formerly of the Nation of Islam in 1994.

Proudly, The Multiracial Activist salutes Rep Jim Clyburn and all other Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congress who supported the legislations in both 1994 and 1999.

Seems to me the Senator and the Members listed above are guilty of the same offenses – openly tolerating racists simply because they share the same skin color. I for one, am disgusted with them all.

James Landrith is the notorious editor and publisher of The Multiracial Activist and The Abolitionist Examiner, two cyber-rags dedicated to freedom from oppressive racial categorization. Landrith can be reached by email at: editor@multiracial.com or at his personal website/blog.

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