For the Victims of Ass-Whippings

By Dr. Pamela Lightsey

At a recent McCain campaign event, a Black conservative Republican, James T. Harris, who by the way is a Wisconsin radio talk show host made his entrance into sound-bite history.  Standing before Sen. McCain, with microphone in hand, Mr. Harris uttered this truth,"I doubt there's anyone in this room that's taking the - pardon me - the ass-whipping that I have taken for supporting you..." The crowd rose to give him a standing ovation.  For the most part, his opening statement and his presence in a crowd where African Americans are scarcely seen, drew both my respect and attention. Indeed, the African American community is rather hard on its Republican skin-folk. 

Though I take issue with much of the Republican platform, I don't begrudge Mr. Harris' political resolve. There is something about the voice of the marginalized declaring independence of thought that resonates with me. Maybe it's because as an African American fighting for the rights of LGBT within the church and especially within the Black community, I know a little something about taking an "ass-whipping." 

But unlike Mr. Harris, I have always taken my licks without grovelling.  Ending his remarks against Sen. Obama, Mr. Harris pleads with Sen. McCain, "I am begging you sir, I am begging you, take it to him."  Well, for all his arguments that African Americans are used by the Democratic party, Mr. Harris - who was reportedly hand-picked from the line waiting to get into the event and ushered to one of the best seats in the hall - was the poster child for racial profiling Republican style.

There was just something extremely wrong with that picture.  What was wrong was not what many have taken issue with: how dare a black man "beg" any white man given our history of oppression at the hands of white Americans?  Rather, what is most difficult about this picture is his willingness to debase himself before a man whose record on civil rights is deplorable.

Persons whose principles won't allow them to remain quiet in the face of injustice and oppression have a responsibility to consistently pick our battles wisely. If an ass-whipping is in the waiting, it's best we make sure we know who's really swinging the belt. Ouch!