There is no doubt in my mind. I'm 28 years old, and just now realizing what a democratic party, or political party, should be. But it's not necessarily being demonstrated by the Democratic Party itself. It's the
Congressional Black Caucus. Occasionally, it's been hinted to me by Randi Rhodes. But now I see it for myself. Yes, Barbara Boxer has done her part, she has taken the headlines and developed the momentum for defending our principles of Democracy and America. But for me, the Congressional Black Caucus really taken the leadership and allowed it happen, quietly and respectfully.
see below
This is a tireless group. It's relatively small, containing only forty three members, but I suppose its strength comes from a shared experience. First-hand experience of the racism, bigotry, negligence and ignorance (deliberate or otherwise), enacted by the majority, whether social or political. The experience of human ugliness that a white, semi-privileged student such as myself can never personally experience. From such experience, the members exert a galvanized strength and restraint, reminiscent of Martin Luther King, Jr., in fighting for the inalienable rights awarded to all citizens, all people.
I'd like to offer a brief list of the examples detailing how The Congressional Black Caucus has demonstrated their tirelessness in service to me and my fellow citizens. If anyone has further examples, I ask to please share them.
- The members of the Caucus were instrumental in objecting to the 2000 Florida electoral vote, despite no accompaniment by a Senator.
- 2/25/04: The members march to the White House, not to protest their convention snubbing by the president, but to appeal to the president to reconsider his rejection of providing security and aid to supporting the democratically elected government in Haiti.
- Representative Corrine Brown risked (and received) censure by the House, and her remarks were stricken from the record after challenging the ruling that no UN funds were to be allowed for monitoring the 2004 election.
- Member Stephanie Tubbs-Jones instrumented the formal objection of the Ohio electoral vote count. Senator Barbara Boxer co-sponsored.
- John Conyers...what else can be said? Despite Republican stonewalling, this CBC founder has held hearings for What Went Wrong in Ohio, his request for a special counsel to investigate the torture and prison abuse scandals, and his hearing regarding the Downing Street Memo, located in the basement of the Capitol.
- Maxine Waters, former chair of the CBC, has just created, along with other members, an "Out-of-Iraq Congressional Caucus", designed to foster congressional dialogue with grassroots activism over opposition to the war.
- CBC member Sheila Jackson Lee attemps to call a "point of order" to the abrupt dismissal of Sensenbrenner's committee reviewing the renewal of the Patriot Act. Her words were eloquent, passionate, and resolute, as they were in speaking with Randi Rhodes.
- Member Barbara Lee, "the only person in Congress to vote against giving President Bush carte blanche in the war on terrorists".
Obviously, these are but a few examples. I just want to say that I've been impressed and overwhelmed by the Congressional Black Caucus and thank the members for fighting for me. You are saving democracy with your respectful and lawful service.
Update: Thanks to those posting links for donations to the CBC Foundation, for those inclined.
Update II: More links
CBC PAC
Conyers' PAC ($50 donation gets a copy of his book: what went wrong in ohio)
CBC PAC from ActBlue (posting within this diary)