Congressional Black Caucus
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The Congressional Black Caucus is an organization representing the African American members of the Congress of the United States. Membership is exclusive to African Americans[1] and its chair in the 110th Congress is Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan.
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[edit] History
[edit] Founding
The Caucus was founded in 1971[2] by a group of black members of the House of Representatives, including Shirley Chisholm of New York, Louis Stokes of Ohio and William L. Clay of Missouri. Black representatives had begun to enter the House in increasing numbers during the 1960s, and the formation of the Caucus reflected their desire for a formal organization. Originally a "Democratic Select Committee", which was formed in January 1969,[3] it was named the Congressional Black Caucus in February 1971 on the motion of Charles B. Rangel of New York.
Founding members were Shirley Chisholm, William L. Clay Sr., George W. Collins, John Conyers, Ronald Dellums, Augustus F. Hawkins, Ralph Metcalfe, Parren Mitchell, Robert Nix, Charles Rangel, Louis Stokes, and Washington D.C. Delegate Walter Fauntroy. The first chairman Charles Diggs, from 1969 to 1971, landed on the master list of Nixon political opponents for his chairmanship.
[edit] Aims
The Caucus describes its goals as "positively influencing the course of events pertinent to African-Americans and others of similar experience and situation," and "achieving greater equity for persons of African descent in the design and content of domestic and international programs and services."
The CBC encapsulates these goals in the following priorities: Closing the achievement and opportunity gaps in education, assuring quality health care for every American, focusing on employment and economic security, ensuring justice for all, retirement security for all Americans, and increasing equity in foreign policy.[4]
Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Tx., has said:
"The Congressional Black Caucus is one of the world's most esteemed bodies, with a history of positive activism unparalleled in our nation's history. Whether the issue is popular or unpopular, simple or complex, the CBC has fought for thirty years to protect the fundamentals of democracy. Its impact is recognized throughout the world. The Congressional Black Caucus is probably the closest group of legislators on the Hill. We work together almost incessantly, we are friends and, more importantly, a family of freedom fighters. Our diversity makes us stronger, and the expertise of all of our members has helped us be effective beyond our numbers."
[edit] Membership
The Caucus is officially non-partisan, but in practice it has been closely identified with the Democratic Party, and tends to function as a lobbying group within the wider Democratic Party. Only four black Republicans have been elected to Congress since the Caucus was founded: Senator Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts, Representative Gary Franks of Connecticut, Delegate Melvin H. Evans of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Representative J. C. Watts of Oklahoma, who became the first black member of Congress elected not to join the group because of its closely Democratic affiliation and goals.[5] Representative Watts said of his refusal to join the caucus, "...they said that I had sold out and Uncle Tom. And I said well, they deserve to have that view. But I have my thoughts. And I think they're race-hustling poverty pimps." White members of Congress have never been welcomed into the caucus (see White Membership below).
The Caucus has grown steadily as more black members have been elected. In 1969 the Caucus had nine members. As of 2008 it had 43 members, including two who are non-voting members of the House, representing the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, Illinois Senator Barack Obama is the only black member of the U.S. Senate.
[edit] Threats to cut funding
In late 1994, after Republicans attained a majority in the House, they announced plans to rescind funding for 28 "legislative service organizations" which received taxpayer funding and occupied offices at the Capitol, including the CBC. Then-chairman Kweisi Mfume protested the decision, which never went through.[6]
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[edit] White membership
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Over the years, the question has arisen, "Does the Caucus allow only black members?" Pete Stark, D-Ca., who is white, tried and failed to join in 1975. The Caucus does have dozens of honorary members who are white, Hispanic, and Jewish.
Rep. Clay issued an official statement from his office:
"Quite simply, Rep. Cohen will have to accept what the rest of the country will have to accept - there has been an unofficial Congressional White Caucus for over 200 years, and now it's our turn to say who can join 'the club.' He does not, and cannot, meet the membership criteria, unless he can change his skin color. Primarily, we are concerned with the needs and concerns of the black population, and we will not allow white America to infringe on those objectives."
On January 25, 2007, Representative Tom Tancredo, R-Co., spoke out against the continued existence of the CBC as well as the Democratic Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Republican Congressional Hispanic Conference saying, "It is utterly hypocritical for Congress to extol the virtues of a color-blind society while officially sanctioning caucuses that are based solely on race. If we are serious about achieving the goal of a colorblind society, Congress should lead by example and end these divisive, race-based caucuses."[7]
[edit] Members of the Caucus during the 110th Congress
[edit] See also
- Congressional caucus
- African Americans in the United States Congress
- Avoice: African American Voices in Congress
[edit] References
- ^ Hearn, Josephine. "Black Caucus: Whites Not Allowed", Politico.com, January 23, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-23.
- ^ Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc
- ^ Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc
- ^ Priorities detailed
- ^ Doherty, Carroll J.. "GOP Initiatives Hamper Efforts To Reach Out To Minority Groups", CNN, March 22, 1998. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
- ^ "G.O.P. to Cut Caucus Funds", Time Magazine, December 19, 1994. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
- ^ Tancredo: Abolish black, Hispanic caucuses - Politics - MSNBC.com
[edit] External links
- Congressional Black Caucus website
- Congressional Black Caucus Political Education & Leadership Institute
- Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- Avoice: African American Voices in Congress (Congressional Black Caucus online archive)
- Congressional Black Caucus Holds Hearings On Police Brutality in Los Angeles
- Counterpunch Article: Corporate Black Caucus?
- Black Commentator: How to Fix the fractured Black Caucus
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