Blame the Civil Rights Movement (by Matt Singer)

Years ago, my father, a moderate Republican, commented that he thought it was surprising how much Malcolm X's philosophy might find in common with the best strains of American conservatism. Then and now, I think there's a lot of truth to that. And then and now, I still find it hardly surprising that Republican efforts at outreach in minority communities do not go well. Campus Progress has two guest-bloggers embedded at the College Republican National Convention, which sounds like a real treat of an event (even though they would not accept this advertisement).

One of the infiltrators provided this report on the CRNC's speaker who was billed as the conservative answer to Jesse Jackson:

• "I am an American, not an African-American."


• The Civil Rights movement destroyed black people's sense of self-respect and their compass for what's right.


• The Civil Rights Movement took the men out of their homes and prevented black people from thinking for themselves.


• It is not racism but lack of moral character that causes problems for black people.


• The black leadership succeeds by keeping black folks angry.


• Now Muslim folks are moving in and trying to take over.


• "I don't care what people say, but (Muslim people) don't like us!"


• America has already given black people all it has to give.


• On reparations, he emphasizes the fact that all the slaves are dead.


• On those who want reparations, he says, "Instead of reparations, how 'bout a free ticket back to Africa?" (Raucous laughter.)


• "The Democratic battle is ordained by the devil."


• "It's not white vs. black, it's good vs. evil."


• "White folks need to get over their fear of being called a racist."

Huh.

--Matt Singer