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" "We must rouse ourselves from our comfort, pleasure, and preoccupations and listen to the voices from the ghetto," -George Romney from the 1968 presidential campaign trail.
The Left smears Mitt Romney as a stiff, stuffed money bags who doesn't understand the little man- especially if he's Black.
I've often thought the opposite.
Behind the Warren Beatty looks and reserved air is someone who knows life as an unpopular minority. Let's not forget that his faith was a matter of great concern for GOP purists.
American Blacks sometimes forget that White skin and wealth aren't impervious to prejudice. We should be a lot more understanding toward others while demanding others better understand us.
His quantum leap over this hurdle is itself a civil rights victory, as notable as John F Kennedy's nomination amid fear he'd answer to the Pope or Obamas' breaking of the presidential color barrier.
Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee is one more brick in the road to Americans being judged as just that- Americans. We should all be proud.
His father faced the same and worse during his presidential bid nearly 50 years ago. Then, as now, race and an overseas police action sorely tested domestic tranquility.
George Romney defied advisors and conventional wisdom by focusing on the American ghetto at a time when it was hardly the place for positive photo ops.
Rioting had shaken America to its core with the defense-industrial complex on alert against insurgents at home as well as those abroad. It was a scary time; a time when playing it safe was considered beyond the smart thing to do.
While we haven't had riots during Obama's first term ( to date at least ) the American Black side of town is still a tinderbox of frustration.
Entrenched economic inertia has people angry. Stoking this anger is the ethnic gag order in place since the president is percievd as Black and therefor exempt from open criticism.
None of the usual civic pressure releases, mass marches and spokesmen complaining, are now available.
Cornel West and Tavis Smiley are the few independent voices daring to question Obama on his dismal performance or lack thereof in Black America.
I should say liberal voices because conservatives from Newt Gingrich to Michele Bachmann have had plenty to say about it.
Mitt Romney's NAACP speech didn't strike me as the obligatory act of a racist putting on a good front. There were few votes to be gained. Facing a national electorate determined to vote Black at all costs, Romney gave a warm presentation minus pandering or brow beating.
He spoke confidently and was clearly comfortable with his audience- not quite the Ken doll critics claimed.
We understood going in that he wasn't another Bill Clinton. Or a Ronald Reagan.
He's not a Southerner nor a people person per se. He's very formal and not prone to letting his guard down around crowds.
That doesn't mean he's racist or elitist. It means he's reserved.
Reserved is a welcome change from the personality cult he's opposing. Reserved brings to mind old school values like dependability; integrity and another oldie-but goodie, class.
When's the last time we had somebody classy seeking the highest office in the land?
Mitt Romney has clearly followed in his father's footsteps where character, not charisma, is concerned.
His father was a class act.
Like father, like son.
Vote Romney on Election Day or beforehand if casting your ballot ( or pressing the button ) early.
Cap Black The Hood Conservative tries to get urban men to MAKE PEACE WITH AMERICA, thereby transforming their pain into patriotism before they destroy themselves and their community. ( 504) 214-3082
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