From The Politico (a new website, I might add):
As a white liberal running in a majority African American district, Tennessee Democrat Stephen I. Cohen made a novel pledge on the campaign trail last year: If elected, he would seek to become the first white member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Now that he’s a freshman in Congress, Cohen has changed his plans. He said he has dropped his bid after several current and former caucus members made it clear to him that whites need not apply.
“I think they’re real happy I’m not going to join,” said Cohen, who succeeded Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., in the Memphis district. “It’s their caucus and they do things their way. You don’t force your way in. You need to be invited.”
Cohen said he became convinced that joining the caucus would be “a social faux pas” after seeing news reports that former Rep. William Lacy Clay Sr., D-Mo., a co-founder of the caucus, had circulated a memo telling members it was “critical” that the group remain “exclusively African-American.”
Other members, including the new chairwoman, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., and Clay’s son, Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., agreed.
“Mr. Cohen asked for admission, and he got his answer. … It’s time to move on,” the younger Clay said. “It’s an unwritten rule. It’s understood. It’s clear.”
The bylaws of the caucus do not make race a prerequisite for membership, a House aide said, but no non-black member has ever joined.
Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., who is white, tried in 1975 when he was a sophomore representative and the group was only six years old.
“Half my Democratic constituents were African American. I felt we had interests in common as far as helping people in poverty,” Stark said. “They had a vote, and I lost. They said the issue was that I was white, and they felt it was important that the group be limited to African Americans.”
Cohen remains hopeful, though, that he can forge relationships with black members in other ways.
“When I saw the reticence, I didn’t want anyone to misunderstand my motives. Politically, it was the right thing to do,” he said. “There are other ways to gain fellowship with people I respect.”
Cohen won his seat in the 60 percent black district as the only white candidate in a crowded primary field. If he faces a primary challenge next year from a black candidate, as expected, some Black Caucus members may work to defeat him.
Mr. Cohen, speaking as a black man, my advice to you would be to serve your constituents to the best and to the fullest of your abilities. While the CBC may discriminate against you (as well as your black consitituents in the process), have confidence in knowing that excellent public service breaks all racial barriers. Surely the majority of blacks who gave you their vote of confidence last November shall reward your efforts once more come the next election.
The CBC has become the “good ol’ boy” network that they claim to dislike. They, by and large, couldn’t care less about serving the individuals who repeatedly re-elect them, let alone care to focus on issues pertaining to black Americans. In short, the CBC (as well as other caucuses based on race) is about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.
Focus on your elected position, and treat your constituents like the full-blooded Americans they are. The respect and relationships will follow.
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