Both sides of the political aisle have signaled that they want a change, using their votes to select new leadership in the White House and at the head of the RNC.
Steele's decision to release the old guard at the RNC from its duties signifies a potential shift in the way the RNC reaches out to America as it moves forward. The move suggests that the infrastructure of the RNC does not provide the aptitude, flexibility, and vision to make the needed changes to the Republican brand to provide better results at election time. Most would agree that the RNC must do a better job of articulating its message to America, compete in all facets of the American electorate for votes, and eliminate its image as an elitist party that has a small minority of Americans at heart; (of course, that image does not include actual minorities.)
But does that necessarily mean that the structure of the RNC was at fault for its failures? Is the party structure taking the fall for the sins of the politicians? After all, if elected officials (in government and political parties) are the rock stars of politics, those in the infrastructure of the party are the stage crew.
Prominent Black Republicans
Condoleeza Rice
United States Secretary of State
Joseph Barrak, AFP/Getty Images
Colin Powell
Former United States Secretary of State (2001-2005)
Ron Edmonds, AP
Clarence Thomas
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Randy Snyder, AP
Alan Keyes
Political activist.
Kelley McCall, AP
J.C. Watts
Republican politician and entrepreneur.
Steve Jaffe, AFP / Getty Images
Armstrong Williams
Television, radio host, columnist and political pundit.
Graham Williams Group, AP
Alveda King
The author is a niece of the civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com
Don King
Boxing promoter.
Frank Franklin II, AP
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Civil rights icon.
AP
T.D. Jakes
Famous American preacher.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com
Steele doesn't appear to want to take chances, though. At this time, he can take further control of how the RNC's song serenades voters by being proactive.
Although many leaders seek to bring in "their people" when they hit the door of new, high-powered jobs, few do so on such a high-profile platform after crushing defeats. If Steele can mirror President Bush's approach to diversity by bringing in a historic cross-section of America into the fold at the RNC (if you don't believe me, check the Bush inclusion legacy of those such as Powell, Rice, and Gonzales), he will have a good start towards re-establishing the GOP has a viable option for a growing majority of Americans in all levels of government. This will only serve to benefit the country as a whole as we seek to stimulate the economy without excessive pork projects and delays, among other notable challenges that we have before us.
10 Ways Black People Have Progressed
The new generation of African Americans going in to ownership and entrepreneurial routes are well equipped and more knowledgeable than ever before. Despite many obstacles unparalleled to other races many African American have perceived to receive equality and the right to ownership since the ending of slavery. Now in the 21st century we are able to see how their successes and potential to become business moguls and CEOs of major companies.
History was made At the 74th Academy Awards® in 2002 when Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win Best Actress. She also gave one of the most memorable acceptance speeches of her life that gave thanks to all those powerful black females that had came before her. This was not a moment in her life to be remembered but a witness that women of color are be. Denzel Washington continuing the path of Greatness when he was awarded Best Actor for Training Day after Sidney Poitier, the first African-American male to win Best Actor 39 years ago, was awarded an honorary award. These two men are examples of how much we have came along in history and in entertainment. And now that they have opened the door for a new generation to enter and blow even more borders for the future.
2. In recent years there has been a glimpse that black education rates are on the rise. School teachers have been becoming the main influence for students to excel in test scores for reading, writing skills, math, and social sciences. Now that teachers are receiving more respect for their hard work, society is noticing that they are the gateway for their children's future.
Digital divide Narrowed
hip-Hop Culture Takes Over
6. Williams Sisters/Michael Jordan
As Barack Obama continues his path to the White House to become the first African American for the President of The United States of America history is being made every step he takes closer. It was monumental when Barack defeated Hillary Clinton as the leader of the Democratic Party for the election but as
Women Empowerment
Condoleeza Rice - Secretary of State Colin Powell being the top military person in America
As the first black female to be in such a hig position in politics, Condeleeza is a women in charge of being president Bush's right hand and has been very influential in the advancement of black women in the U.S. government.
America benefits from the concert of differing political ideas and solutions at all levels of government to give us the best and brightest. To get this, we need a competitive Republican Party again – one that competes across various delineations. Michael Steele seems determined to put the instruments in place immediately to make this so, even if he has to "break it on down."
____________________
Lenny McAllister is a Republican political commentator and guest co-host for Fox News - Charlotte's morning show "Fox News Rising," where his commentary can be heard every Monday. His website is lennymcallister.com
Comments: (32)
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By: cd3554 on 2/07/2009 12:36PM
Its safe to say divide and concur still works in america. You got a black man to run the country, We'll get one to divide it. In the end its all about money.
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By: carl on 2/07/2009 4:22PM
Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals=two sides of the same corrupt coin. Painting the coin 'black' does not alter its corruption.
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By: Jarvis on 2/07/2009 5:27PM
Look...Blacks needs to become aware of issues that will help the Black community.
Issues such as:
Education...Vouchers for school choice
Social Security..Personal Social Security Accounts
Taxes..Implement the FAIRTAX
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By: mer on 2/20/2009 12:23AM
No school vouchers. Go to work like a lot of us do. Learn to take care of your self and it is grain you respect.
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By: PMcBride on 2/21/2009 9:32AM
If a white person said what you have just said, you would be screaming "racist" from the rooftops. This is one country, and we are all Americans.
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By: David on 2/07/2009 9:50PM
Cynthia McKinny a black leader? BWHAHAHAHAHAHA
Congrats to Mike Steele, I believe he has a very bright future..We need to be represented on both sides of the political spectrum not just with the Democrats
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By: Cee on 2/07/2009 11:00PM
Listen, if Michael Steele can do anything with some of those GOP members slamming the stimulus, but selling the same bill of goods that President Bush sold...we already know their ideas dont work. The average uninformed american may listen to that pork rhetoric that the GOP spews, but those with a basic understanding of economics know tax cuts do not stimulate an economy more than spending, I believe the ratio is almost 2 to 1. Didnt hear all this crap about no spending while we dumped billions into IRAQ while piling up debt with China. No wonder my laptop is a piece of crap. Lastly, how come no one is talking about the part of Republican party who are planning to make their exit from the GOP because its leader is an African American...you dont have to believe me ask bill oreilly, sean hannity, rush limbaugh, and david duke. Grand Old Party...still seasoned with sights and sounds of the Confederate States of america
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By: Jay on 2/08/2009 1:58AM
Well deserved. This man has a bright future. We need more brothas like this instead of victims like Jesse and Al. Jesse and Al need to go away, especially Jesse.
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By: badbns on 2/08/2009 11:12AM
I agree with Jay's comments and would add that the Black Community cannot truly move forward with old thinking such as Jesse and Al. The Black community needs positive thinkers that move forward, not dwell on the past. Michael Steele appears to be that new kind of leader. Positive change comes from positive thinkers and doers.
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By: What!!! on 2/08/2009 11:04AM
They may have changed the color of the book, but it still reads the same old bull s****: hate; division; hate; war mongering; hate; lyintg; hate; unequal justice; hate; make the rich richer and the middle-class and poor poorer; etc., etc. Oh, and did I mention hate?
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