The 21st Century Abolitionist- November 24th, 2010

The 21st Century Abolitionist

Greetings!  Greetings and happy Thanksgiving! As many of you will be with family and friends this weekend, my wife and I pray that you will have a safe and enjoyable time. Please remember why tomorrow is called "Thanksgiving Day." It isn't about you. It is about Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, who provides all of our needs!  On Thursday, November 19th, Latessa and I attended the National Republican Congressional Caucus Reception for the Newest Members of Congress. We had a great time meeting a number of new members from across the country to include two individuals whom the Frederick Douglass Foundation had been pulling for all year long, Congressmen Elect Allen West (FL-22) and Tim Scott (SC-1). Congressmen Elect Allen West, Dr. and Mrs Timothy Johnson   We are looking forward to working with a number of these new members as well craft our agenda for 112th US Congressional Session, prepare for the 2012 Presidential election and focus on those issues which will improve the lives of every American. Sincerely, Timothy F. Johnson, Ph.D. Founder & Chairman The Frederick Douglass Foundation "...And if the Negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is give him a chance to stand on his own legs! Let him alone...your interference is doing him positive injury. ... I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs. Man's greatness consists in his ability to do and the proper application of his powers to things needed to be done." - Frederick Douglass

Recent News

A recount in North Carolina's closest congressional race has confirmed a victory for Republican candidate Renee Ellmers.Read more here Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on the deficit and how President Obama is handling the economy. Watch clip here N.C. Rep. Thom Tillis, a Cornelius businessman first elected to the General Assembly four years ago, was chosen Saturday to lead the new Republican majority and become the presumptive speaker of the House. Read more here  Regardless to the concerns of those in the Armed Forces Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said this week that the Senate will consider a repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy after it gets back from its Thanksgiving break. The policy, which bans homosexuals from serving openly in the military, has been in effect since 1993 Read more here North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Tom Fetzer said Saturday he's stepping down from his post five months early, citing family and financial reasons following a successful election cycle for the state GOP that led to historic electoral and fundraising gains. Read more here

Spotlight on FDF Members and Candidates

Timothy F. Johnson Announces His Run to Replace Current State Chairman   North Carolina Republican Party Vice Chairman Timothy F. Johnson announces his run to replace current State Chairman Tom Fetzer at the NCGOP State Executive Committee meeting on Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday, January 15th. Mr. Fetzer announced at the North Carolina Republican Party's State Executive Committee meeting on Saturday, November 20th that he would be resigning effective January 15th due to his new family obligations. Fifty-five years old and married for the first time, October 2009, his wife recently gave birth to their son and he says he wants to spend more time with them since the historical victories  in North Carolina and the re-election of US Senator Richard Burr. It is also widely rumored that Fetzer personally recruited and the  Associated Press has reported that former Congressman Robin Hayes would be seeking the chairmanship in January.  What else is at stake? His election would be significant as the Republican Party seeks to rebrand the party's image, as a party of inclusion not exclusion. And while his election would not make him the first Black to serve as State Chairman in the United States, he would be the first in North Carolina's history, the first in the South since 1869, and the fourth Black ever. If you would like to donate to Tim for the NCGOP Chairmanship election, go to www.TFDF.org website and click the donate button and mention in the notes that the donation is for NCGOP Chairman race.   ************************************************************  Lenny McAllister Takes a Strong Stance By: Alesha Martin Lenny McAllister guest hosted "The Other Side" on WVON last Wednesday evening. He spoke with Black conservative pundit Kevin Jackson, after another attack on the First Lady, about the difference between empty commentary and necessary leadership. Before the show Lenny, on his Facebook page, posted a side by side image of himself picking cotton and the orignal unflattering picture of the FLOTUS. McAllister made the following statement with regards to the two images: "perhaps to learn if the bond to historical obligations (pictured left) is stronger than the urge to propagate the worst among us for the sake of pop politics (pictured right). I have said this before and I mean it: Black political thought will end up being the salvation for urban America in the 21st  century, and that salvation will not come without the conscientiousness and cooperative advocacy of Black Republicans for the masses of Black people suffering in America. That cannot and will not come about - in fact, it will never come about - as long as these types are propagated throughout the media, made worse no less by the fact that this behavior was instituted by "The Black Glenn Beck." Dr. Timothy F Johnson, Founder and Chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation, made the following statement concerning the topic:  "...this conversation needs to take place. Just like many think all Blacks are Democrats and support the POTUS. The same can be said about people's perception about Black Republicans. It's time to have a real conversation in the open and that is what is going to start happening." When all was said and done many opinions were shared over the outcome of the show. Comments regarding the airing ranged from McAllister being exhaulted for taking a stance to critisized for his demeanor and "calling out" a fellow black conservative activist. Realistically, the show proved the black conservative is not a monolith.  The range in theory and ideology amongst black conservatives is as old a battle as the issues of field and house negros. Ultimately, we have the same vision however, the approach for our goals at least by this organizations standards, should be presented with poise and class. *************************************************************** If you have an upcoming event or speaking engagement, please email amartin@tfdf.org for inclusion in the newsletter.