What would you call a man born into poverty who became a success despite many obstacles? You would probably call him an inspiration and invite him to speak at your next business convention.
Suppose that man from humble roots is African-American? He might be a keynote speaker at the next NAACP gathering, or the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Except that this man is not a Democrat. He's a Republican and a conservative. What would you call him now -- an "Oreo," an "Uncle Tom," a "token"?
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Their problem, the one most Democrats have with African-Americans who have Mr. Steele's work ethic and political pedigree, is that he became a success without their help.
One particular episode related in the column explains a great deal about Steele:
He was admitted to Johns Hopkins University, but when his grades were substandard, he was invited not to return. His mother urged him to go back.
Three times he petitioned the dean of students for a second chance. Three times the dean refused. Mr. Steele persisted and the dean told him to enroll in four summer courses the dean would select at George Washington University. Mr. Steele did so, brought back straight A's and he was readmitted to Hopkins, from which he graduated.
He later earned a law degree at Georgetown University.
"Hopkins gave me a second chance," Mr. Steele told Johns Hopkins Magazine, "But before it gave it to me, it told me to straighten up, to recognize your priorities, and to do what you're responsible for. ... That sounded a lot like my mom."
I wonder what some of the Democrats who denounce Steele's emphasis on personal responbility would have done in a similar situation. Some would have given up, which may be a route. Others no doubt would have cried racism on the part of Johns Hopkins and sued to get back into school. Others would have decried their situation shrouded in the verbiage of victimhood.
What did Steele do, he kept trying. Whether Steele did so for his own good, to please his mother or out of fear of his mother's wrath is unimportant. Steele learned the lesson of personal responsiblity, that you make good in life by making good on your efforts. but Steele runs counter to the Democratic current:
This is not the modern Democratic Party message, which teaches victimhood and government dependency, telling African-Americans they can't make it on their own.
Mr. Steele rejects such thinking. He tells blacks their best political future lies in the Republican Party, through which they can build vibrant businesses and decent schools.
The Baltimore Sun, with which Mr. Steele and Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. have a running feud, said of Mr. Steele during the 2002 campaign: "Michael S. Steele brings little to the ticket but the color of his skin." In response, Mr. Steele said, "It's an ignorant statement meant to diminish what I represent." He became the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland history.
Liberal Democrats are worried about success stories like those of Michael Steele, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and Clarence Thomas. While discussing the demographic makeup of the Supreme Court in a Nov. 1 editorial, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel implied Justice Thomas isn't really black and that he "deserves an asterisk because he arguably does not represent the views of mainstream black America."
I have news for those who think this way. The so-called "mainstream" of black America, as represented by race-hustlers like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, doesn't represent the best interests of black America. The work and personal ethics of Mr. Steele, Mr. Powell, Miss Rice and Justice Thomas do.
Michael Steele should be elected to the Senate from Maryland, not only because he is qualified but because he would provide a sharp contrast to the Democratic Party and its plantation mentality. Currently, the only African-American in the Senate is Barack Obama, Illinois Democrat.
Mr. Steele's inspiring story should serve as an example not only to African-Americans, but to all Americans.
Indeed. Steele did not chose his party affiliation to be a token or an agitator within the black community. Steele is a Republican because his values and the value of the GOP are largely in line. He does not agree with his party on all issues, notably on the issue of affirmative action, but on most issues he is conservative. His values were shaped by a childhood where he saw his mother and stepfather work hard, make it on their own without assistance from the government.
When blacks in Maryland and across the country start to understand that the Democratic party does not favor the up by your bootstraps mentality of Republicans like Michael Steele, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Clarence Thomas, J.C. Watts and the growing black republican caucus, the more defections you will see. The Democratic politics of victimhood, of class warfare, of welfare have done little to lift the black community. The bigotry and racism of Maryland black Democrats does nothing to help either.
More coverage here:
Steele Decries Black Critics as Racists
Steele Race Baiting--Still no Apology from Anyone
Steele Race Baiting Update
Leading Dems Don't Apologize to Steele
Race Baiting In Maryland
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