Hello Black Republicans…if you’re listening and you do exist, we’d like to say sorry. We’re not sorry for your stance or any other Republican strategy you’ve aligned with. That’s your opinion, and we respect it.
We’re sorry because we understand your plight. As minorities, we know how hard it can be to be underrepresented and cast into the margins of society. And for you, being a minority within a minority, it must be tougher. We can only imagine the stares and side eyes you catch when you walk into any hometown Soul Food joint, wearing a Trump for Presidency shirt. Just because you don’t support Affirmative Action or raising the minimum wage, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good BBQ ribs-and-collard green combo in peace. It’s not fair.
And what adds to your rough uphill journey is that you’re losing members. Just last year, only 11 percent of black voters identified themselves as Republican, according to Pew research. Now we hear the GOP is losing key African American members. Most unsettling of all is your recent loss of Kristal Quarker-Hartsfield, the Republican National Committee’s Director of African American outreach. Who will recruit new black Republicans now? Will your numbers dwindle further under the “Make America Great Again” crusade?
And prior to Quarker-Hartsfield’s departure to greener pastures, the RNC’s director of black media Orlando Watson left. Another major blow when you think about it. Not only were these individuals well-qualified and respected, but they had really, really great names. I, for one, might be swayed to listen to RNC reason if I was approached by someone called Orlando and Kristal with a K.
But all is not lost for you, black Republicans. You still have heavy hitters like Ben Carson, Omarosa, Stacey Dash and a some-timey Michael Steele (if you can get Colin or Condi to come out of hiding this election, then I think you’re back in things). It’s likely that you can get things back on track. Perhaps try something like a good propaganda campaign, a Republican rally where black protestors aren’t assaulted and even a firm disavowal of the Klan.
Black Republicans, stay strong. Your future may be dark, but it’s certainly not black..for now anyway.
BMWK, are you or do you know any black Republicans? How are you adjusting to the changing RNC landscape?