Our
current
topic:		 Oklahoma Rep. Julius Caesar (J.C.) Watts Jr. as the House of Representatives newest conference chairman, is the highest ranking African American in the Republican party.
However, his father, J.C. Watts Sr., is reported as saying that for a Black, "voting for the Republican ticket is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders." Can Congressman Watts realistically change the Black perception of the GOP? If so, how?



Submit Date: 12 MAR 1999
Name: Rachele Warren
Email:
Response: If J.C. Watts Jr. is so concerned about changing Black perceptions about the GOP, why has he not up till now condemned Trent Lott, Bob Barr and Tom Delay for their overt associations with the White Citizen's Council. I am waiting. A few years ago, when remarks were made by someone in the Nation of Islam, Congress passed a resolution denouncing the remarks (I'm assuming it criticized whites since this resolution was passed with alacrity). Until now, Mr. Watts has yet to sign the circulating petition drafted condemning his fellow GOP who are supposedly speaking of inclusion to the point of embracing George W Bush Jr., he "seems" to have the Black and Hispanic vote in Texas (what some think is needed to win the presidential election). Yet in the midst of trying to court the vote of these groups, their actions are truly telling of their true stance. And if Bush is elected as the GOP presidential candidate, will J.C. Watt's effort in wooing the Black vote be rewarded as the Vice-Presidential candidate? I will not hold my breath on that. Prehaps Secretary of... but certainly not VP. If no one else does, at least I see through this farce.


Submit Date: 29 JAN 1999
Name: Lartey
Email: "
Response: I am amazed that people think the Democratic party has done SO MUCH for black Americans. Their 'hand out' policies, plus an overt willingness by Blacks to prove that we need handouts, have produced the problems we Blacks face now (the welfare crisis, high crime rates, homes without fathers, low educational standards, etc.). We do not NEED the Democratic party. What we need is a party who will stop raising our taxes, stop wasting tax money, and allow us the dignity of individualism enjoyed by other races. think the Republican party is closer to that ideal than the Democrats are, and so I hail Mr. Watts in his identification with the Republican party. Why are other races allowed to support all sorts of political parties, while we feel like we HAVE TO throw our support behind the Democrats even though the results of their policies in our neighborhoods have been atrocious? Go JC! Go!


Submit Date: 28 JAN 1999
Name: R mack
Email: "
Response: As long as the leaders of the Republican party do not believe in apologizing to the Arrican American's for their forefathers role in slavery, JC Watts should be considered a mere token and/or puppet on a string whom is clearly an example of the political House Negro. Black people in general need not be Democratic either.


Submit Date: 28 JAN 1999
Name: Y.HOLLEY
Email: "Y.HOLLEY@OCC.TREAS.GOV
Response: MR. WATTS CANNOT CHANGE BLACK PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE GOP. THE GOP MUST DO THAT FOR ITSELF BY BEING MORE RECEPTIVE TO POTENTIAL BLACK REPUBLICANS AND BY THE GOP PASSING SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT FAVORABLY IMPACT BLACKS. AT THIS POINT IN TIME WHAT COMES TO MY MIND IS WHAT ARE THE REPUBLICANS GOING TO DO NEXT TO HURT BLACKS AND OTHER VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY. MR. WATTS CAN BE A DRUM MAJOR FOR THE GOP, BUT ONLY IF HE HAS SOME GOOD THINGS TO SHOUT ABOUT.


Submit Date: 27 JAN 1999
Name: Joanne
Email: "joannes@hotmail.com
Response: Is this live?


Submit Date: 28 JAN 1999
Name: Monica G. Wood
Email: "mwood@golinharris.com
Response: I believe that was the republicans aim to do that when they appointed J.C. Watts, Jr. Will they succeed? I really don't think so. I believe that first we as African Americans would have to trust and like J.C. Watts, Jr. and we don't. He must first change our impression of him before our impressions and support of the GOP agenda can change. And, I don't believe he can. I don't even believe he cares to.


Submit Date: 27 JAN 1999
Name: Alaric Clegg
Email: "alclegg@hotmail.com
Response: In personal opinion, we should take his saying as being figurative truth. There can be no leader without cooperative followers, to which Mr. Sanders and his ex-plantation owners would largely agree. But interestingly, if the followers would lead themsevles, a concept ironically missing in today's society, Sanders and his chickens become obsolete.


Submit Date: 27 JAN 1999
Name: Kathy Williams Munday
Email: "KWMunday@Bellsouth.net
Response: Although Mr. Watts feels he is helping African Americans, I am convienced that he is doing so poorly. The Democratic Party has always been in the favor of the Black population, moreso than the Republican Party. This is evident by all of the opportunities President Clinton has afforded us. When Mr. Watts voted to impeach President Clinton, that was the most devasting act he could have done to benefit "his people". Yes, President Clinton did lie under oath, however there was a less severe punishment that the President could have suffered, and Mr. Watts should have voted for. I truly believe that often it is best for someone to help his people by sticking with methods that are best fitting to the party. In other words, Mr. Watts could do more service for African Americans by committing to the political party which benefits us overall.


Submit Date: 25 JAN 1999
Name: Irene Houston
Email: "irenesh@vm.sc.edu
Response: I don't think J.C. is going to change any opinions about anything other than the ones people have about him. I have been very much aware of his ability to "color" all issues with his inability to effect change for all people of color. I have wondered if he believes that he can make an impact on turning around African-American sentiments about the Republicans. He will have to completely change his "Colors" (Sic) if he is to succeed at this endeavor. He reminds me of Clarence Thomas and other uncle tom's who want to cross the bridge and then burn it to keep the rest of us out of the forest. I don't think he can influence anyone. However, if he does, let us hope that it by demonstrating to all of us an example of what not to do.


Submit Date: 24 JAN 1999
Name: Brotha G
Email: "gy13@webtv.net
Response: There's no way jc can change African Americans perceptions about the Gop. He only makes us more anti-gop.


Submit Date: 24 JAN 1999
Name: casey
Email: "edndebbellsouth.net
Response: the white republicans have so long ignored blacks that I am convinced they do not care about the black race. i think republicans are discovering that the black vote has quite an impact on key races and realize that it is necessary to get some black support. unless white repubicans have a genuine concern for the welfare of all races i certainly would not be intereste in listening at te nterested in anything they might have to say to white america


Submit Date: 21 JAN 1999
Name: Randall
Email: "b1more1@aol.com
Response: The republicans surely hopes that JC is effective. The public perception of the current president inspite of his troubles, leads me to think JC is a political pawn in the republican bid to strenghten the party. The Republicans have chosen JC precisely for what some who have reponded believe... his spiritual base. The current president has been streghtened and found refuse in the spirit of many Black American clergy and politicians. JC has been pushed out front to attract Blacks to the republican party currently known as the Clinton bashing party. The republicans are hoping that JC won't turn into Clarence Thomas a symbol for Black American Sell-Out. However, if the opinion of JC's father has an weight, JC has Sold-Out. Incidently, I do belive in the GOD given right to choose.


Submit Date: 21 JAN 1999
Name: aurelia
Email: "aurelia white@city_attorney
Response: historically during the reconstruction period, blacks were republicans, today however, there is no difference between a republican or a "dixiecrat", you either live down south or "up south"...they are all the same.......


Submit Date: 21 JAN 1999
Name: Janice Johnson
Email: "ecinaj@worldnet.att.net
Response: No!!! their agenda is strictly for white, rich males. They are simply for themselves, and their own kind. The majority of them have no empathy for those who have experienced hardships such as, blacks, hispanics, poor whites, women, and even gays. I view the republican party as a bunch of bigots, sexists, and homophobic wanna be christians.


Submit Date: 22 JAN 1999
Name: Daniel L. Manuel
Email: "dlmanuel@bellsouth.net
Response: I believe that blacks can bring about change in the Republican party. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the current list of Black Republicans want to. I have been a Republican for the past 16 years. I believe in strong family, strong community and strong economics. That doesn't make me a follower of Watts, Thomas or Sowell. These men are Conservatives cloaked as Republicans, as are the majority of the "New Republicans". Now, what we do as Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians or whatever titles we carry depend on OUR personal agendas. Let's stop searching for Heroes and Enemies and find a common ground for the common man.


Submit Date: 24 JAN 1999
Name: Roslyn Chase
Email: "b1276@bellatlantic.net
Response: It all good and fine the J.C. Watts has some high post within the GOP but didn't that only happen after the past elections? I smell a rat!!


Submit Date: 20 JAN 1999
Name: colleen pegram
Email: "cpegram@bellsouth.net
Response: J.C. Watts Jr. Let's focus on the Junior. Junior means second, to come after. I believe J.C. Watts Jr., will have no problem changing the minds of his generation because his generation has been forced to change with time. As one person wrote, the issues we are dealing with as a society are so overwwhelming, a party's name is irrelevant; what the party can do as representative of the people's needs is the main issue. J.C. Watts Jr., is not of the old mind set; that which is democrates might steal like the republicans, but the democrats will always leave a little for the poor or that Democrats care about Blacks. If a person is a biais, prejudices individual, and that individual can represent either party, he or she does not care about anyone but self. The difference in partys continues to provide our government a check and balance system; it keeps each side, excuse my pun on words, HONEST! (SMILE). But the philosophy is: if a man is a fool it doesn't matter if he is rich or poor, he still is a fool. If a politician is for the people, does it matter the party with which he serves? Not today. Each party has continuously changed its ideals and agenda, whatever sells votes, the parties market. So which one is any better? Perhaps the ideal of capitalism verses controlled enterprise or welfare verses work programs; Medicare verses unregulated cost; social security verses poor quality of life for senior citizens to homophobia verses homosexuality. The party must be able to answer the issues. J.C. Watt Sr., I believe feels a loyalty to the democratic party because of the Kennedys and their role in the civil rights movement. Yes, History depicts the democratic party as the Black man's road to freedom and equality. But there were a lot of democrates residing in the south who still wanted Blacks to remain second class citizens. Their party affiliation had nothing to do with their morales and values of other human beings. By the same, there were many republicans who wanted equality for all people and have made major contributions to that road being paved. The new generation of black entrepreneurs has loosen the democratic party's clutch on African-Americans, resulting in African-Americans seeking affiliation and alliance with the party that will best further their American dreams. As we are continuously forced to deal with rising crime, poverty, financial deficits, military conflicts, foreign affairs and issues, low youth mortality and sickness and disease, we will be force to start thinking autonomously, not party voting for candidates, but choosing candidates that voice concerns we have and exemplify and live the life we live, resulting in no longer being a matter of the party, but a substance of the candidate -- regardless of the party!


Submit Date: 20 JAN 1999
Name: JEFFREY
Email: "jazmanj@hotmail.com
Response: It is interesting that we (blacks) are attempting to work within this political system. I guess we really don't have a choice. "Since we've got to be here, let's live" (Marvin Gaye Let's Get It On)Democrat/Republican I'm sure they are some differences... although both working in the same political system.(Is there a common goal of the political system to maintain status quo whether democrat or republican?) Put a black man where you can, anywhere in the system, what can he do? Maybe a little more than he could if he weren't there at all! Think about it


Submit Date: 19 JAN 1999
Name: TIM
Email: "SKYSPORT@ONE.NET
Response: What if this question had been posed by a white man? What the hell does this have to do with the issues at hand? Let's take every issue today and throw in the race issue. Jesus!! Don't we have enough problems without pondering over hypothetical situations? If I sat around all day worrying over all the "what if's" in my life then....I don't even want to think about it. Stop living in a past you never knew and worrying about a future that only exists in your minds and start living in the real world with the rest of us. What if clinton was and this had occured? Then I guess he would be the victim when the proceedings started.


Submit Date: 14 JAN 1999
Name: Gwinyai P Muzorewa Jr.
Email: "Bay_bee_g@hotmail.com
Response: Rebulicans, Democrats, in name and in practice these instutions offer different approaches to deal with the same problems to societies ills. These institutions as weel as all other instituions ,are made up of the the individuals elected to them.This should be the focus, not the institution in the individual but the individual in the institution. We are a people in need of healing , in many shapes and forms. The best remedy for a complex, illness is a constructive complex , multifunctional cure. The different angles the Reblicans may have may also be host for enlighted and fresh views and solutions to our monting problems. In other words forget the term Democrat and Repulican, rather think in terms of an obstilce and how to overcome it. Democrats and Rebulicans are groups of elected officials with a party name, we need people in such positions with names and faces of the people who need social healing and finacial resolution. The people may be in either party the question is whoi are the right people for the jobs soceity needs citizens to fill. The question also should be are we hurting ourselves by denying our brothers and sisters the best possible canidate at the polls , simply because of which party they are associated with.


Submit Date: 14 JAN 1999
Name: Monte Pratt
Email: "
Response: I think J.C. Watts can change Black perceptions of the Republican Party. My perception of this most recent GOP has always been that it is a "No Blacks Allowed" political party. Now, there is a Black person-- albeit only one-- and he has been elected by his peers to the Republican Party leadership. I think there are a number of Black people who support the "pro-life," lower taxes, strong standing military, and all of that other Republican stuff. However, these folks overwhelmingly vote for the Democrats because of one important political platform: civil rights. Relatively speaking, Democrats have been supportive of giving Blacks their constitutional guarantees... and Republicans have not. Any conversion of Blacks to the Republican party because of J.C. Watts is tempered by the membership of Strom Thurmond(R-SC), Jesse Helms(R-NC), Bob Barr(R-GA), Trent Lott(R-MS) and a host of other "conservatives"/bigots in the same party. Heck, when deciding which party to use as his vehicle for election, David Duke picked the Republican party. Why?


Submit Date: 13 JAN 1999
Name: Glen Cosgrave
Email: "BgroveG@juno.com
Response: This one is in response to the guy who calls himself Urban Gurreilla you'll find his responses below mine. (1) Now as far as Malcom and the Black panthers and all of those guys are concerned they have done alot to change the political and social minds of white people all over the place. In fact there were already alot of white people who were ready to give up segregation. It's just that they did'nt think that they had the political muscle to back it up until the blacks came along and started pushing for it themselves. (2)I guarantee you if you go to the white side of town and talk about racist issues and then you go back to the black side of town and talk about the same issues and then you look at what's really going on in the world you will find out that liberal black people are the biggest racists of all!!! That's all liberal black people ever talk about is how the white man is keeping him down. They act like that's all white people ever have to do. (3)There will never be what he calls a real black president in the white house because that blows the argument of LIBERAL black politics. LIBERAL BLACK VICTIM-OLOGY POLITICS/GROUPS. Dictate that white people are in control of everything and their sole purpose is to keep the black man down. LIBERAL BLACK VICTIM-OLOGY POLITICS/GROUPS can't survive unless there is somekind of hint that they have to deal with white racism so what they've done is spread the idea that white people are racists and that you need the black groups to get anywhere. If you want to talk about the plantation. LIBERAL BLACK VICTIM-OLOGY GROUPS are the PLANTATION and their sole purpose is to use a bunch of bitter and ignorant (especially ignorant, especially MR. Urban Guerrilla)black people as political muscle to further the agenda's of the the organizations leaders while the bitter and ignorant black people who support these organizations are left holding the bag!!!!! You don't believe me? Look at how much the leaders make (MR. Mfume, Louis Farakhan) compared to what organizational members get out of their lawsuits with various companies. Or become a productive succesful member of society without the help of these black organizations and you'll see who the plantation owners really are!!!! This is the absolute truth and until you people wake up and see this you will always be the biggest dupes in American History!!!!!!!!


Submit Date: 13 JAN 1999
Name: Bonnie Jackson
Email: "bonjac@aol.com
Response: Who know if he will or won't? What about a GOP of their own? Anyway, let us get back to the chicken for there are lessons to be learned. There are two ways to view the chicken scenario. View (1) Colonel Sanders business is raising, killing, and cooking chicken. Now if a chicken (having very little self-esteem), wants that type of lifestyle and sees no better life for itself, why not vote for the Colonel? View (2) Colonel Sanders doesn't care whether the chicken votes for him or not. He is still going to raise, kill and cook the chickens. If I were the chicken, I would be somewhere trying to figure out how to get out of the Colonel's yard and start a little business of its own. Maybe the chickens can sell the Colonel a better ideal like frying cows (beef) instead of chicken. In other words, Blacks should become creative about saving themselves and stop relying on someone else to do it.


Submit Date: 13 JAN 1999
Name: LaWanda
Email: "LAWANDA@prodigy.com
Response: The choice between the Democratic and Republican Party, as our only choice, is a real deliema. But the need for us to choose and vote is crutial..so which one? I suggest that black community leaders/activist/politicians check out the platform and follow-through record of politicians, as it pertains to the minority coommunity. The next step is to organize to have the best person elected, with continued community monitoring of elected person's behavior/actions in office; with further work to remove him/her if they don't produce. Both parties have their negatives (i.e., the christian fundamentalist democrats).The smart money and votes follow the expected benefits, not the party or skin color. Blacks have blindly voted for the democratic party for so long, many don't see a choice; so very little is done by the party to win our votes. Maybe we should take a closer look at the republican party. What we have, we've gotten ourselves w/o much from either party, and we've lost with both parties.


Submit Date: 13 JAN 1999
Name: CARDELL DOTSON
Email: "CARGONS@WEBTv.net
Response: I believe that blacks being republcan is a smart move because this is putting blacks in a strategic possition. About GOP, this seems to me to not really be a big issue. I just hope that these black political figures do not forget, that they are the one's that make blacks believe in the good and bad in black politions.


Submit Date: 13 JAN 1999
Name: CARDELL DOTSON
Email: "CARGONS@WEBTv.net
Response: I believe that blacks being republcan is a smart move because this is putting blacks in a strategic possition. About GOP, this seems to me to not really be a big issue. I just hope that these black political figures do not forget, that they are the one's that make blacks believe in the good and bad in black politions.


Submit Date: 12 JAN 1999
Name: K. Glaze
Email: "glazek@nlap.com
Response: I give the brother his props as being an intelligent man, on the other hand politicians as a whole (no matter what party) have their own agenda and as far as the republican party it's done everything but try to keep african americans down and out. Only the strong survive. As I read one of the other opinions about blacks and gov't programs if you look at it statistically alot of the gov't programs benefit white america (the media leaves that tid-bit out). I find it hard to believe that JC Watts will change the perceptions about the GOP. I've listened to JC Watts on several occassions and I don't agree with alot of what he says, but I respect his opinion. Again I don't foresee any change in the GOP, especially with Strom Thurmond still alive...Good Luck though....


Submit Date: 11 JAN 1999
Name: ms Delt
Email: "ddelt@mindspring.com
Response: We shoud be in all areas of life its about doing your on thing and being accepted as black people. It is good to see us in all area of life so other can know we are God fearing ,caring etc . Individuals , that can play the same games as everone else ...


Submit Date: 11 JAN 1999
Name: sabrina micheals
Email: "sonshine@integrityol.com
Response: I feel that J.C. Watts father has the right to his opinion however black people must open up their eye's. To see that to depend on the demorcart's word semming that what they say comes back void. I feel that the other parthy at least try's to give you a say in what your life should be like.


Submit Date: 11 JAN 1999
Name: covi jean-francis
Email: "yemi@francemel.com
Response: According to me(a black person from France) ,being a republican negro is as strange as being a jewish nazi but you may say that i don't know what i'm talkin'about.


Submit Date: 11 JAN 1999
Name: Glen Cosgrave
Email: "bgroveg@juno.com
Response: The biggest problem J.C. Watts has in changing the black perception of the GOP is that he did'nt rely on the Liberal Black establishment. The Liberal Black Establishment dictates that black people suffer from racism and because of that they can't get a job (much less a good job) or education or all of the great things in life that are possible in America. So what they do is they round up all the other black people who feel like they have been shafted and they appoint a leader who will supposedley fix everything. Truth is the Liberal Black organizations can't fix anything for anybody and the leaders just use the people in their groups for political power to promote their own well being. And any black person who makes it in America without the help of the Liberal Black establishment is labeled an Uncle Tom, or a sell out, and they are Generally Hated. Like J.C. Watts or Clarence Thomas. I am a white guy and I have been discriminated for all kinds of reasons even in the job market. I've had problems getting a job because of personality conflicts or because I just did'nt fit into someones clique. But you have to move on and do the best you can in life despite what certain people may think of you. And J.C. Watts is just one of those people. He just got in there and went to work and made something of himself which is ultimately what the GOP is about. Which is why he is a member of the GOP. And I think the greatest thing any person can do for themselves regardless of who or what they are is to get out there and be the best at whatever they do.


Submit Date: 11 JAN 1999
Name: DORA DORITY
Email: "nalsetd@fuse.net
Response: "My, my, How we do define ourselves!" Republican, Democrat, "Black Perception?" On the one hand, it is nice to see an "American" excercise their freedom of choice, on the other "My, my, How we do define ourselves!"


Submit Date: 10 JAN 1999
Name: sabrina harris
Email: "ms bri@aol.com
Response: The GOPhas never work in best interest of the black people. They always try pass laws to get richer they never represent the poor people.


Submit Date: 9 JAN 1999
Name:
Email: "Urban_Guerrilla@webtv.net
Response: This is one more question to be considered by the masses. Adam Clayton Powell, Malcolm X, Black Panthers, Medga Evers, and a host of other Strong African-Americans have attempted to change the Stupid White Racist's minds; They have all failed, miserably!!! White minds are locked into Self Preservation...THEIRS!!! Whenever a Real African-American can Capture the White House (and live), we can begin to work, from the top down! Our every goal ends in Servitude! We don't Aim high enough...We need to OWN the Plantation!!! Then, have White-Fokes work for us!! Is there anyone out their with ears that hear...??


Submit Date: 9 JAN 1999
Name: Malcolm
Email: "Malclm7@aol.com
Response: Its nothing wrong with the chicken voting for Colonel Sanders, as long as the Colonel has a history of saving chickens. Let me continue on this chicken analogy...Have you ever noticed that theres a rooster wherever ther are chickens Roosters along with their other duties let the farmer in the house know if the fox or the wolf is in the area.In this instance the fox and the wolf represent knowledge of the truth. People in my opinion like Jesse Jackson, Martin King and now J.C. Watts are the roosters that the master of the house put in place to warn him when the chickens are stirring, because the wolf or the fox is outside the fence. Haven't you ever noticed in the cartoon when the man hears the rooster crowing he comes out the house with a shotgun...


Submit Date: 9 JAN 1999
Name: Jimmie C
Email: "jcook@hotmail.com
Response: I think J.C. Watts will definitely change the GOP to some degree. Changing it to the point that it will be totally inclusive of Black people is another story. I think that Black people will some day have to take a real look at all political parties and realize that in order for us to be truly represented we must organize our own party. Everything is not necessarily racism, these parties look out for their best intrest and that alone. Finding jobs, providing bank loans, and the host of other things the "majority" people benefit from, is just plane old nepatism. Everyone looks out for "their own". We must began to learn and apply this very same principle. Good luck J.C., you have your work cut out for you.


Submit Date: 8 JAN 1999
Name: Rickie V Anderson
Email: "rickie.anderson@gte.net
Response: There is a new black visage appearing. These black faces realize, like Watts, that the democratic party is not the only game in town. Why should all blacks be democratic, access the best that both parties have to offer. As a black republican I like less government intervention in my life. The democratic party under FDR setup the entitlement programs (general assistance, public aid and others) as a means of indenturing blacks to the democratic party to maintain a voting powerbase. It has been successful. You can count back generations of families who vote only democratic and wish they had a straight ticket and could punch one time and vote for every democrat on the planet. If we study history some of the first blacks elected to congress were in the republican party until the indenturement set in by the democrats. The republican party is going to change, because is has to for it’s own existence. The white boys are now realizing that the power is beginning to switch. Poor whites cannot get anything from old white money so they are looking for alternatives. Believe me white males are seriously talking about the issue of the switchingof power, they know it’s coming. How do democrats and republicans define themselves. (Democrats define themselves by saying what they are for - Republicans define themselves by saying what they are against.) Dig this: There are three types of money, old money suggesting the ownership of dignity, new money for the purchase of dignity and nigger money, for which dignity is not for sale.


Submit Date: 8 JAN 1999
Name: Moctar Sakho
Email: "MD SAKHO@Compuserve.com
Response: America being a democratie, I think the senior is free to be whatever he decides to be, in matter of politic affiliation. I've watched & heard him speak, its sounds to me that he's not stupid at all and most of all he believes in what he is doing; that's what politic is about.CONVICTIONS!!! I do not think a lot blacks democrat politicians have that. All what I see them good at is strenghtening their positions as intermediate between an inorganizate black community, politically soporific, agregat of individualisms, low esteem persons always whining and shouting for help and a democratic party who might have some good ideas, but is inefficient to solve black people problems. What we need is more leadership, more familial values, more FOCUS ON EDUCATION and less NEGRO-HIP -HOP IMAGE! I think somebody had said it : the example to follow is THE JEWS which are , originally , A FRACTION OF BLACK PEOPLE, THE GOOD ONES! KHALASS! MAA-SALAM!


Submit Date: 7 JAN 1999
Name: JOSEPH BART
Email: "joebart@novagate.com
Response: I think JC Watt Jr is the only Repulican with some reasonable sense. I think he is an oppunist& will go for in today's repulican right wing climate. I respect his view but do not agree on most of them!joe


Submit Date: 6 JAN 1999
Name: danny
Email: "dwalker@alexia.lis.uiuc.edu
Response: What is the view of the republican party. A group of conservatives who stick together regardless of what ones personal beliefs are. I think if JC Watts can honestly be his own man and vote his conscious regardless of what the party line is, well, he will change the perception of the republican party. But it won't be because he is just black. It will be because he stood up for what he believe and just so happen to be black. If he sticks with the party line and 99.9 percent of the time vote the way the majority of the party votes, then, I will look at him as just another puppet of the republican party. And that goes for anybody in any party. I have a serious problem with any sect that stick and vote together on almost all issues. To me that is almost cult like.


Submit Date: 7 JAN 1999
Name: J.L. Walker
Email: "jawalker@cnbc.org
Response: First of all, look at what his parents named him Julius Cesear, 2nd of all he has his work cut out for him regarding changing the GOP's perception. And if his father has a problem with him as republican, he won't last long with the public!


Submit Date: 6 JAN 1999
Name: Darnel Tanksley
Email: "DarTanksle@aol.com
Response: Aside from racial factors (A factor in everything in America), the Republicans believe in as little government as possible, while Democrats(Mario Coumo is one of my favorites) believe that large government has it's place. We as Negroes in America have always had to turn to a powerful government like Lincoln(A republican!) and LB Johnson to get basic rights, like eating at Woolworths and going to the bathroom. Thus as the Democrats are champions of large government they appear to be the Negro's champion. The Republicans claim they are the avocates of self reliance and bootstraps and that the merit system should replace Affirmative Action while Democrats say give a slice of your tax dollar to your lazy cousin. The real truth, as always, lies somewhere in between. It would be cute if the American Negro, like the World Jew, held more power within their own communities, regardless of who was a elephant or a donkey. It would be cute if we could decide if we wanted to live in a capitalist or socailist society (The real question).But in a world where we can't decide between Colored, Negro, Afro-American, Nubian, African-American or Ameraisian(Tiger action), it makes no difference if the white racist hides behind the GOP(David Duke)or the Kennedys(Joe Kennedy Senior), we, the American Negro will always be the American Dupe. That's what made America great.


Submit Date: 6 JAN 1999
Name: lartey
Email: "
Response: Without even trying, J. C. Watts will change Blacks' perception of the GOP. He strikes me as being a strong individual, with very strong views. He knows what he believes, and he lives by what he believes. Therefore, just by being himself, he will effect change. I'm so proud of the brother!! He has the guts to swim against the Democrat tide.


Submit Date: 5 JAN 1999
Name: Frances Murphy
Email: "FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: A Black conservative Republican in today's world is swimming against the tide but if he is strong- willed like JC Watts he just might be able to make a difference. Many of us since our grandfather's days have been rooted in the Democratic Party. Maybe it is time to listen to some of these members of the younger generation and look around and find out what else is out there that can help us get true democracy-- or our share of the pie. We need to improve the chances of our young Black men and women to survive, get an education, get a job and join the so-called middle class with two cars in the garage. Maybe we old Democrats need to sit back and listen to these young turks. If the GOP can help us as JC Watts thinks it can,it is worth a try.


Submit Date: 5 JAN 1999
Name:
Email: "bradfo43@ccvax.mmc.edu
Response: If anyone can change the Black perception of the Republican party, it's J.C. Watts. His views, be they conservative, sometimes actually make sense in terms of his spiritual foundation, and his belief in strengthening families through economic empowerment. I am surely not a Republican, but I am heartened by the changing face of the party, and will REALLY stand up and take notice if Elizabeth Dole runs as the party's president. Unless I have to re-register as a Republican to do so, I will even vote for her if she runs. Not everyone in the party seems to be a complete idiot like Dole's husband, and his compadre, Newt Gingrich.


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