Blacks gain power in new Congress

[deadparrot]

Black lawmakers are likely to lead key committees in the new, Democrat-led House, and that means issues such as Hurricane Katrina relief, hate crimes and voting problems are likely to get much more attention.

"Within the Congress, their influence went from about a one to a nine," said David Bositis, who analyzes black politics for the Joint Center for Economic Studies in Washington. "This is by far the peak — ever — for the Congressional Black Caucus." Members of the group may head as many as five prominent House committees and 17 subcommittees.

With the Democratic majorities slim in the House and slimmer in the Senate, National Urban League President Marc H. Morial cautioned that turning talk into legislation will be tough. And Bositis noted that President Bush "can veto whatever the Democrats do."

Still, Vanderbilt University political scientist Carol M. Swain said, "it is historic." Black representatives "certainly have more potential power."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061122/ap_on_go_co/black_power

[jaysunb]

1. This shouldn't be news...

particularly since they are Americans who were elected to federal office, WHO JUST HAPPEN TO BE BLACK .

By continuing to focus on racial makeup of EVERYTHING in this country, it only reinforces the notions that people are some how different due to the color of their skin. This kind of article is only a thinly veiled attempt to provoke more racial controversy.

I would hope that those who visit this site claiming to be progressives will see why we have such a hard time moving this country away from it's racist history, and be more vigilant in calling out those who promote and push this kind of stealth race baiting.

[psychopomp]

2. I see your point, but as a black person

I am interested in hearing that members of the CBC are heading up various committees in Congress. African Americans are watching to see what leaders in the black community will do now that they have the political ability to advance an agenda that focuses on issues important to their constituents.

The fact that those issues are not "black issues" but rather issues, like health care, that affect all Americans, does not change the fact that many were put in office by the black vote. It is natural that African Americans are going to want news about what their reps are doing in Washington.

[classysassy]

3. Blame the victums

Rid this country of its racism and the problem solves its self.