The Republicans flaunt Connie Rice as an example of Bush’s colorblind racial perspective. I don’t think so. This is not a Republican-bashing statement. I do not dislike Republicans. After reading George Will and William F. Buckley, I have learned that Republicans honestly want to make our country a better place for everyone. Many non-Republicans will take issue with my conclusion, especially the African Americans.
The people I dislike do things that lack compassion for those who are different. While you can find such people in all political parties, Republicans tend to promote economic, legal, and socially conservative views that I personally believe push their individual responsibility stance a bit too far. Anti-affirmative legislation, anti-abortion, and anti-immigrant positions are a few examples. Politically, Republican collective actions on these issues have brought considerable harm to a lot of people—in my estimation. Democrats fair slightly better only because social justice advocates and a higher percentage of blacks among their constituency curtail such wrong-headed positions.
I am not going to pretend that I am a Connie Rice fan. I am not. However, I am an African American who wants the best for both America as a nation and African Americans as a people. To this end, I hope Connie succeeds in her new position as Secretary of State. America needs to mend the wounds of divisiveness among its citizens and with allied countries. African Americans need a good role model in her capacity. She has a huge undertaking as Secretary of State in our country’s current unfavorable standing in the international community.
Is Connie Rice black American or African American? This question is likely to be raised among academics familiar with the racial identity literature, rather than at the everyday African American dinner table. One side would of the argument is that she is considered black because her allegiance to the Republican party is a sign that she struggles with racial identity issues. The other side argues that she merely represents the diversity among African Americans today. In my view, her competence as a Secretary of State is the most important thing for us to focus on given the pressing circumstances.
I want Connie to succeed as an American, rather than as an black or African American because the stakes are too high to get caught up in the racial thing. However, America makes us take notice of her race. Consider the media coverage of Illinois senator Barack Obama. On the one hand, they acknowledge that his mother is white American. On the other hand, he is constantly labeled as black or African American. According to census criteria, he is best described as multi-racial or bi-racial. America is so stuck in a rigid, dualistic view of race that multi-racial people get plugged into black-white categories instead of how individuals prefer to be identified. Connie Rice is a black Republican.
Black Republicans, such as Connie Rice, are a special category of Americans. They have fully bought the American rugged individualism piece. And for good reason. Any American can lift herself or himself up by the bootstraps with enough hard work. American is the land of opportunity. However, individual success is self-annihilation for many Americans. Our Native American sisters and brothers are perhaps the best example of this. American Republicans can learn a lot from our collective ethnic and racial groups about social responsibility, international negotiation, and honoring the environment. These are things that make us better as a nation beyond race and ethnicity.
Connie has made it to top as a Republican of African descent. She will not likely enjoy the historical collective respect of Andrew Young or even Colin Powell for that matter. Her socially conservative views will get in the way. We need her to show her collective roots as an African American. I encourage her to listen to our international allies, but more important—listen to all constituent groups among her African American sisters and brothers. We can help her succeed and go down in history.
