September 25, 2007 4:39 PM

A Dark Day for Black Americans

Bob Herbert spoke out today against the racism core to America's right-wing politics. As he wrote:

The G.O.P. has spent the last 40 years insulting, disenfranchising and otherwise stomping on the interests of Black Americans. Last week, the residents of Washington, D.C., with its majority black population, came remarkably close to realizing a goal they have sought for decades -- a voting member of Congress to represent them.

Representation for DC is an issue Working Assets members have worked on -- and yet the Senate's obstructionist minority killed its chances. As Herbert notes, from voter suppression to race-baiting in campaigns, the political dynamics of the Right treat Black Americans as a target, not a constituent.

Herbert's column resonated through the day: from the criticism of GOP candidates for skipping the Tavis Smiley-hosted PBS debate, to Bill O'Reilly's comments that he was surprised by the quality of an esteemed New York restaurant was owned by black people.

Working Assets is proud to support organizations like the Ella Baker Center, which addresses race in a thoughtful and honest way as the Center does important work bring justice and opportunity to urban communities.

The attitudes of too many in power reveal how important the Center's work is.