The New York Times in its Feb. 14 edition confirmed what many have long believed to be the modus operandi of the Congressional Black Caucus. That this historic organization, that once garnered respect and clout among Washington powerbrokers, has dwindled into a social abyss through its actions, including sleeping with strange bedfellows. Which does little or nothing for their Black constituents.
Some of my Nubian brothers and sisters who want to live in perpetual denial will quickly dismiss an exposé by the Times as a mere racializing media assault on a notable Black congressional group.
Others might be questioning what audacity the Times has in delving so deep into the dark sides or the underbelly of the Congressional Black Caucus when there may be other White organizations that are equally guilty of the same unethical and contradictory practices as the CBC.
But I am not interested in the application of race to defend the indefensible and allow mediocrity, incompetence and hypocrisy to thrive at the expense of millions of African Americans who are waitint on the CBC to deliver.
I do not run an enterprise called “Racism Incorporated: How Much Can You Pay?” that will find grounds to justify the inexcusable behavior of the CBC, which claims to be fiercely fighting for the economic, political and social liberation of African Americans in Congress.
Yes, there is mounting evidence that Black organizations do not get the same fair treatment as their White counterparts by the mainstream media.
But in this instance let us allow the facts to bare themselves as far as the self-inflicted troubles of the CBC are concerned.
In an article titled “In Black Caucus, a Fund-Raising Powerhouse,” the Times revealed that from 2004 to 2008, the CBC took in at least $55 million in corporate and union contributions through its various political and charity apparatus or non-profit groups.
Out of that staggering amount, only $1 million went to the CBC political action committee.
When the CBC was approached, officials justified the fundraising by saying the non-profits exist to help “disadvantaged African Americans by providing scholarships and internships to students, researching policy and holding seminars on topics like healthy living.”
Interesting.
How many Detroit students are on a CBC scholarship?
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