This column certainly should open some eyes about the “low Negro tolerance” of the Democrat Party in Michigan.

Some Democrats in Michigan have a distorted view of affirmative action. It's one thing to advocate giving minorities an opportunity. It's another thing to actually practice it.

Just recently some hard-core members of the party told me that any opposition to Gov. Jennifer Granholm in November is also a vote for the anti-affirmative action ballot measure known as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.

In other words, Democrats are the only people who support equal rights for people of color in Michigan. I don't think so.

I mean, letÂ’s look at the Michigan Democrats, aside from a few black officials from safe districts.

The Democratic Party is probably the biggest hypocrite when it comes to giving African-Americans opportunities to develop politically.

Let's look at its track record in Michigan. When Granholm came into office, she tried to appoint Melvin Butch Hollowell as the chairman of the Democratic Party of Michigan. Guess what? Mark Brewer, backed by the United Auto Workers, refused to step aside. Hollowell was given a title of co-chair with no power. Brewer controlled the finances and all of the hirings.

How many African-Americans and other people of color hold positions of power in the Michigan Democratic Party? How many black consultant firms has Brewer hired? I am not talking about subcontracting jobs. When was the last time we've seen a black campaign manager managing a Democratic candidate for statewide office in Michigan? Never.

What's makes Granholm campaign manager Howard Edelson qualified for the job? I know at least five African-American political strategists who have more experience and are more battle-tested. They weren't even consulted or asked to apply. What job do blacks occupy every election for the Democratic Party? Let me see. Hmmmm, field coordinator.

A few months ago, a well-known African-American Democrat asked the governor about the attorney general position. She told him to run for secretary of state. Is that the only statewide position that blacks can run for as a Democrat? Until African-American voters break the cycle of dependency, we will continue to be an afterthought.

It is the Democrats who gladly let blacks onto the lowest rung of the ladder – and then keep them there. But when well-qualified black conservatives are raised tohigh office by Republicans, we ehar about tokenism and how such folks are not “really” black – and the term “Uncle Tom” gets trotted out soon afterward.

Republicans freed the slaves. Republicans were responsible for the passage of most civil rights legislation in this country’s history. And Republicans continue to seek to put forward well-qualified African –American candidates for office, while Democrats play Jim Crow games.

So would someone explain to me why the party that has always promoted slavery, segregation, and racial division is seen as the friend of African Americans?

Posted by: Greg at 10:24 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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