NATIONAL REPUBLICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN CAUCUS CHAIR'S BLOG
Defining Republican Racism, Southern Christian Conservative Styled
"There is something about the atmosphere within the Republican Party, particularly down South which makes it really hard for even God-fearing Christian Conservatives to openly admit the existence of even the shadow of racism. "
Being that I hail from southern roots, and have had the opportunity to observe for the past 32 years, what it is like to be an African American Republican, I have become somewhat of an expert on how to define "Republican Racism, Southern Christian Conservative Styled". As a researcher, I have studied it, observed it, and have witnessed first hand how it works. It is a strange concept. It is very difficult to understand, and because of its unfortunate ties to Christianity, it is even more difficult to comprehend. Nevertheless, it does exist and is very much alive within our Grand Ole Party.
There is something about the atmosphere within the Republican Party, particularly down South which makes for a very rich and fertile ground for it to be cultivated and nurtured even among those whose hearts may not necessarily be bent upon hating those of other races. This makes it really hard for even some God-fearing Christian Conservatives to openly admit the existence of even the shadow of racism.
There is something about the atmosphere within the Republican Party, particularly down South which makes for a very rich and fertile ground for it to be cultivated and nurtured even among those whose hearts may not necessarily be bent upon hating those of other races. This makes it really hard for even some God-fearing Christian Conservatives to openly admit the existence of even the shadow of racism.
It is not because Southern Christian Conservatives do not believe you. In fact, in a one-on-one relationship with them, most will even confirm it, by sharing what they have seen or heard which is evidence of its existence. Many will console privately those who they know are being treated disparately. But when it comes to openly taking a stand against it, this is where most "white lips are sealed". This is why I entitled my book, Black Eyes Shut - White Lips Sealed. To know it exists is one thing, but to admit it openly and say it is wrong, is not something that can be readily done. Perhaps I can explain why.
In defense of those Southern Christian Conservative sisters and brothers of whom I have enjoyed rich spiritual relationships, I do have to say I understand why they go silent when there is an openly mentioning of racism. It goes back to the southern taboo that was associated with those who were labeled with being "nigger lovers".
Historically, a nigger lover was anyone who associated with Blacks or defended them when they were being mistreated. The association part is no longer an issue, simply because of the integration of our society, which makes this almost mute. But the defense of those who are treated unjustly because of the color of their skin, is still as much a part of southern culture, as a cold glass of lemonade or sweet ice tea is on a hot summer southern day.
I have seen how standing up for those of color, impacted even the most loyal of Republicans some years back when a group of older white women, and a dear white brother stood up and spoke out against the way our Caucus and I in particularly were being treated. Immediately they were blackballed! This served as a way of silencing others who would have also spoken out.
I will never forget having my 84 year old dear white Republican friend call me in tears to tell me that she had been cornered after a Pachyderm meeting and threatened by the local party chair, that if she said anything to the press about what was going on, she would not be allowed to participate in the party. So when the reporter from the Times Free Press called her, she denied knowing anything. Despite our friendship, I saw her struggle between doing what was right and what was best for her. She asked my forgiveness for doing this, and because I understood what would have happened had she told the truth, I wasn't so sure if given her situation, I might not have done the same.
The experience with my then 84 year old dear friend was my introduction to what I have termed, "Republican Racism, Southern Christian Conservative Styled".
Not one single individual involved thought of themselves as sinners or someone outside of the church. Matter of fact, they were those who talked the "God talk", and were strong advocates of God and country. They were the type you would find in church on Sunday, singing the loudest in the choir, toting the biggest King James version of the Bible, the Sunday school teacher, the Youth Director, and yes even the one delivering the Sunday morning fire and brimstone message. This literally frightened me! I had never seen anything like it! It was new and foreign, yet it was real.
From this, and all of the experiences that followed, I realized that the remnant of southern culture embedded in racism still existed, and there remained the cardinal rule that Whites do not speak up for Blacks who are being mistreated or go against another White. This made it harder to decry racism among even my spiritual white sisters and brothers. It wasn't because they did not know what I was experiencing. Nor was it because they were blind to knowing racism still existed. But it was because the "Southern Christian" culture was conducive to silence. In fact, it demanded it, lest those who spoke out suffer the consequences. There was empathy and there was even a self acknowledgment of it being wrong, but it had to be done in silence.
This is why, particularly within the South, there are "Republican Christian Conservatives", who will look the other way and not say a word while the practice of racism runs rampant within the GOP. This is why some will distance themselves and shun even those they share sweet spiritual fellowship, should they justly decry racism.
This is not to say that failure itself to speak out and against this kind of wrong makes an individual a racist. I would be the first to admit this.
Although there are many who see it, know it to exist, and keep silent, there are still those who will rise above this strange remnant of southern racist culture and will dare speak out against it. They do so because they understand the true meaning of their spiritual identity as a Christian. So despite the consequences, they are compelled to take a stand. They also realize that this kind of denial does have its consequences, and must be atoned for either now or on the other side of time.
Perhaps they also do so because they understand that the problem with this kind of racial hatred is that you cannot exclusively contain it to racial issues, because hatred of any sort is a disease of the heart, mind and soul, which sooner or later eats away and engulfs the entire body. It also numbs the conscience and distorts truth, where no longer is there any shame or remorsefulness for doing wrong, and it is almost impossible to distinguish between what is right and what is clearly wrong. When this creeps into the spiritual environment, it brings the worse kind of spiritual wickedness, mixed with religious hypocrisy and self-righteous arrogance. Over time, the result is that it causes those who once were true to their Christian identity to become so full of this cancerous disease that they begin to lose any resemblance of GOD. What that means is a weakened ability to truly love others, and to treat all humanity with love, respect and civility, even when we differ in beliefs or opinions and are brothers and sisters born of different ethnicities.
I am afraid this is what we are seeing within the Republican Party - Individuals who have become so eaten up with hatred that their hearts are darkened and full of anger, mean spiritedness, self-righteousness, hatred and hypocrisy, to the point that they no longer are who they say they are.
So when I see all of the bitter contention within the local Hamilton County Republican Party as it moves into re-organization mode, I understand its roots. It simply stems from the denial and failure of those who knew better and did not take a stand to purge racial hatred from its midst. ...And now, that same form of hatred that has its genesis in southern history and stems from generations past has resurfaced and is eating into other areas of society, including politics, writhing havoc.
What is the remedy for "Republican Racism, Southern Christian Conservative Styled", and for prevented it from passing down to the next generation? Perhaps it is as fundamentally simple as invoking a spirit of revival, where there is a searching of the heart and soul, a change in behavior, and a return to what it truly means to be a Christian Conservative.
