Getting Back to Its Roots Means Increased Black Participation

The Republican Party of Texas’ web site proudly displays in its history:
“African Americans were one group of Texans that would consistently support the Republican Party in Texas in those early years. In fact, throughout Reconstruction, African Americans comprised about 90% of GOP membership, and 44 African Americans served in the Texas legislature as Republicans…The first ever state Republican convention that met in Houston on July 4, 1867 was predominantly African American in composition, with about 150 African American Texans attending, and 20 Anglos… The second State GOP Chairman, Norris Wright Cuney, an African-American from Galveston who led the Republican Party from 1883 to 1897, is said by State historians to have held “the most important political position given to a black man of the South in the nineteenth century.”

This is only the beginning of African American history and the Republican Party in the United States. In fact, similar and even greater comparisons can be made with Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and states throughout the South.
So it seems a bit hypocritical when the leaders within the Republican Party leadership speak of going back to the fundamental principles and beliefs of the party without reaching back far enough to bring black Americans back to their true and historical roots. Unfortunately, there appears to be very little concern. Instead, the advice to the party is to pursue the Hispanic vote. A November 26, 2008 Newsmax.com article by James H. Walsh writes, “Its time for Republicans to turn their attention towards this crucial voting bloc. The Hispanic population is growing faster than whites or blacks. For more than 60 years, the nation’s black population has hovered at 13 percent of the total U.S. population…”

In addition, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, who is reportedly considering a run for the U.S. senate has also suggested increased effort to corral the Hispanic vote. President George W. Bush made an extreme blunder by appointing Mel Martinez to chair the Republican National Committee, which led to catastrophic results. Martinez’ greatest effort was join others like Sen. John McCain and President George W. Bush in a monumental effort to arrogantly force comprehensive immigration legislation down the throats of the American people! A November 30 NewsMax article quotes Gov. Jeb Bush as saying, “We can’t ignore large segments of our population and expect to win,” Bush said. “We can’t be the ‘old white-guy’ party. It’s just not going to work, the demographics go against us in that regard… Among Hispanic voters, I think we need to change the tone of the conversation as it relates to immigration. In Florida, we’ve not participated much in the chest pounding and the yelling and the screaming.” So having written off the African American community AGAIN, and apparently forever more, the party’s failed leadership prepares for the same, without attempting to restore the severed ties it once held.

For this reason alone, the essence of the entire Republican Party has been missing a very crucial element—its soul! When the average African American looks at this political organization, one sees a group of racist white men doing all they can to protect their money from the poor and the hungry! Originally organized by blacks and white abolitionists, the initial spark and driving force centered around a nucleus of God-given right to life, liberty and opportunity to pursue happiness for all men, regardless of skin color. During the time of slavery and a lengthy period afterwards, blacks-- particularly in the southern states, rallied to form this party and political movement.

Those God-given rights were irrefutable and of such a deeply-conceived concept that the nation went to war with itself to establish this great truth that all men were created equal! It was not just a complicated notion of good-hearted men, but the untiring work of devoted Bible-believing Christians—a group that today’s Republican Party leadership apparently regrets having been associated with—but as the most recent devastating political defeats infer, were no more than impostors incapable of convincing not just blacks, but the majority of the nation that their principles were best!

But if the Republican Party is to return to its true roots, it must have black people playing a major role in the decision-making processes. No one can truthfully say, nor expect success if the leadership falls short of initiating a “homecoming” for African Americans. At this point, though numbering in the millions, the true historical record strongly suggests that they are actually in exile. Being a people deeply-rooted in faith, they have been wandering in a wilderness of moral vacuity as devoted followers of the Democratic Party. Where can they go? Even some abused wives choose to stay with the cruel husband if they see no way out, and for black Americans, the only visible alternative has been to stay home! Even with the election of the first black president in Barack Obama, he is poised to only seal their fate in the tomb of Marxism.

You cannot create a lasting passion over material things, no! Not even taxes! Especially in a society where economic education is practically nil, and the mantra of rich vs. poor has been alowed to become louder than "one nation under God!" This is also because people will change as their own financial concern is satisfied. Besides, free things unfortunately will always be more attractive to the masses than freedom! It must be based upon issues which draw the fervent emotion of the human spirit such as whether a man would be a slave or a free citizen! Is there such a cause?

To be concise, the passion of the party has been wetted by the moderates and political heirs who obtain positions of influence not by merit, but by bloodline and pedigree, speaking and spouting principle without any idea of the fundamental basis for it. Being afraid of their own shadows, they readily undermine and beat up on those who truly hold the nation true to its foundation, and will not to sell out their principles and convictions just to be a part of the Washington insider class, but are simply appreciative in knowing that they are part of the Family of God-- the same God who gave them a nation to live and die for!

So in the memory of such great African Americans like Crispus Attucks, Prince Whipple, Peter Salem, and Oliver Cromwell during the American Revolution; Frederick Douglas, Dread Scott and Harriett Tubman of abolionist fame and those who worked to bring America to its point of success, I earnestly appeal to the Republican Party leadership to "remember the bridge that brought it over!"

A Tribute to Those Who Have Not Bowed

By Rev. M.L. Johnson, D.Min. Theology

This past presidential election has been a historical event in more ways than the nomination and eventual election of America’s first black president. Within the very bowels of the American substance, we find a conflict far greater than the tit-for-tat play of the political process— the spiritual schism within the church— the body of Christ at odds within itself! During such times as these and for this reason, one with the least amount of Biblical knowledge cannot but think of the days of the prophet Elijah when ancient Israel’s king Ahab and his wife Jezebel ruled.

This focus is not on the husband and wife who led the rebellion of God’s people, but the class of religious leaders who adored them. The man of God’s greatest dilemma was in dealing with his religious counterparts—a massive priesthood in contention with him and God. The wicked couple had full reign over the nation, as Jezebel surrounded herself with 800 prophets who worshipped the false gods named Baal and Ashtoreth. An additional 450 prophets were dedicated to sexual immorality as well as other forms of idolatry. It seemed to Elijah that these were the darkest days of his life, having run for his own life after Jezebel’s oath to kill him even at the cost of her own. This man of God had witnessed the executions of untold numbers of God’s own faithful followers, and what was left of God’s chosen people had bowed beneath the shadow of this false religious system.
Jezebel was beaming with confidence, and radiating with power as she and the religious establishment alliance sat around the banquet tables and celebrated their success as the cloud of debauchery covered the nation like a suffocating smoke. Israel’s God Jehovah was out, the heathen god of Baal was in! Holiness, honor and truth were mocked while deception, irreverence and self-gratification were made virtues. The wickedness of the false religion manifested within the acts of the people as they began to institute laws and practices God had historically destroyed nations for. The very center of power was overrun with the vile and profane, while God’s dedicated servants were banished into cultural and social exile. President-elect Obama’s January 20, 2009 inaugural celebration and the following few days may represent the zenith of the convergence of practically every ideology that has worked so hard and for so long to destroy America as we know it! (He has already declared that America in no longer a Christian nation). The preachers who have fought so diligently for his election will have their time to rejoice. The parties and the celebrations will explode with splendor, pomp and pageantry as it did around Jezebel’s table; however, God is not defeated. Even Elijah came to realize this.
That epic moment came at Mt. Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and culminated with the man of God calling down fire from heaven after Baal’s prophets had failed to do so. That demonstration of God’s power and presence reignited the hearts of the Israelites as they began to reclaim their identity as the children of the most-high God! But the king and queen held fast to their rebellious ways, and the man of God had to flee for his life and hide in the wilderness. In his moment of despair and futility, he was ready to give up, even after such a convincing demonstration of divine assistance and power.
In the wilderness, Elijah cried out to God, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."
Tired and weary of the battle, God’s fiery prophet thought that he was the only person left alive in the world—fighting with all of his might to stand for righteousness. But within that stand, he felt so alone in his purposeful work. Having seen so many of Israel’s leadership fall by Jezebel’s sword while others decided to bow and worship Baal, his hope had dried up to the size of a teardrop! It was apparent that Elijah felt that he had made his own last stand! Perhaps you may have felt that you have fought a futile battle, and the hordes of unrighteousness are celebrating their victories. You argued God’s case that it was not good to lift up a man who spoke openly and defiantly against His word. You tirelessly but unsuccessfully debated and pointed out that Jesus is the one true Messiah and God loves even the unborn, but you found that its practically impossible to argue with emotion!
Fellow blacks looked and stared at you in a sense of bewilderment, totally puzzled and ultimately disgusted in your position to deny a black man the opportunity to be president. And now, you are subjected to criticism and even ostracism for your standing against Barack Obama’s presidential election effort. There is still good reason to hold onto the promises of God! Your faith-based position shall withstand even the test of time itself!
With your self-examination, you have sought reason to justify a change in your own position, but the strength of the word of God in your heart would not allow that to happen. His word in not only within your head, it is also within your heart! You’ve been alone, but not weakened; ignored, but brilliant as a light; ridiculed, but encouraged more than ever to hold onto your convictions! It wasn’t that you merely wanted a black man to lead the nation, but more importantly, you wanted a man of any color who feared God above any qualification!
Many may have criticized, but could not challenge you for your steadfastness on God’s word! Your position is not at the expense of unborn babies, nor have you made alliance with the enemies of God. You have stood on the principle that marriage is between one man and one woman. There have been so many reports that not even the most prestigious preacher is able to justify or even satisfactorily explain away his or her departure from the very heart of God’s word. Please recognize that you are not alone! There are many of us who are destined to be united and connected together. As God informed Elijah, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." God is preparing a generation who love Him above all else, and you shall get to meet them! You did not bow, and have proven yourself true to the Savior instead of rationalizing yourself into the membership of the masses.
The stance you have taken is so similar to Elijah’s position—going against the majority! As many of our Christian leaders opted for the thrill of selecting the first black president of the United States, you carefully chose to make a Biblical position superior to a human passion. You have been a critical listener because you are a critical thinker with an uncompromising Christ-mindedness. You have seen the situation from a higher view, recognizing that government is not God, and no man can provide that which only God owns. You refused to sell out your deeply-rooted beliefs even at the enticement of racial pride. Having risen above the ideology of being a black Christian, you have matured into the higher position of being a Christian who happens to be black!
So as the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy in chapter 2 of his second letter, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ [vs. 1-3].”
So, for not bowing, I salute you. Be encouraged, neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.