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Black Caucus Worries About Resurgent Racism

Anti-Obama anger troubles CBC ahead of triumphant annual conferences

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 23, 2009 6:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Congressional Black Caucus is enjoying unprecedented power, with more of their members in leadership roles than ever before, not to speak of one of their number in the White House, but many are disturbed by changes in the political atmosphere, Politico reports. As the 42-member group holds its annual legislative conference this week, they say the increasingly hostile tone of President Obama's critics smacks of racism. Others are angered by the GOP's attacks on ACORN.

President Obama will address the group's annual Phoenix Awards dinner Saturday night. “It is a great year for the CBC to be celebrating. Many of us have spent a lifetime getting where we are now,” majority whip Rep. Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, says. “But people who think the election of Barack Obama puts us in a post-racial world are being a bit naive at best.” The recession has made it easier for racial tensions to be exploited, Clyburn says, noting that a weak economy in the South contributed to the creation of the Ku Klux Klan.

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[Quotes (1)]

Rep. Charles B. Rangel, D-N.Y.,right, gives a 'thumbs-up' as members of the Congressional Black Caucus are sworn in during a ceremony in Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama is greeted on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, after delivering a speech on healthcare to a joint session of Congress. From left are, Sen. Charles Schumer,... (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 09: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (2R) talks to U.S. President Barack Obama (2L) after Obama addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress at the U.S. Capitol as Sen. Richard Durbin... (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - JULY 27: House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) delivers a statement about progress on health care reform during a news conference in the U.S. Capitol July 27, 2009 in Washington, DC.... (Getty Images)

Judge Judith W. Rogers administers the Ceremonial Oath of Office to members of the Congressional Black Caucus. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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This is a triumphant moment. After all, a member of the CBC was elected president.
- Rep. Barbara Lee,
the CBC’s chairwoman

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 40 comments

SilenceDogood

Sep 24, 2009 12:12 PM CDT

I agree, but the time has come, let’s deal with the smoldering issues lying beneath the surface. I think it was Alexis De Tocqueville who said “America’s greatest strength is its ability to heal itself”. I did not vote for Obama, but maybe these issues are why his time has come; we have issues we need to deal with as a nation.

SilenceDogood

Sep 24, 2009 12:05 PM CDT

well said sir.

SilenceDogood

Sep 24, 2009 12:03 PM CDT

Since we have this 800 lb gorilla on the table, let’s deal with it. Last November 95% of blacks voted for Obama, I don’t know the exact number but I suspect 45% of whites voted for him also. If whites had voted 95% for McCain the roar of racism by the black community would have been deafening, and rightfully so. So therefore I say, blacks appear to be racist by voting in such a racist fashion. What say Yee to the charges laid before you?

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Barack Obama • Congress • African Americans • racism • Barbara Lee • Democratic Party • Jim Clyburn • Congressional Black Caucus

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Black Caucus Worries About Resurgent Racism