Cao is the second non-black congressman who represents a majority black district. It looks like Cao is going try to get admitted to the Caucus:
Now Vietnamese-American Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao, who defeated disgraced Rep. William Jefferson in Louisiana, is hinting that he might make an effort to join the CBC. The caucus should let him in, along with anyone else who wants to join. Like Cohen, Cao will be representing a mostly black district. I don't see the CBC as any different from any other Congressional group formed around a specific set of principles, and I understand the CBC's desire to keep itself focused on the unique circumstances and desires of their constituents. But people like Cao should be let in, if only because excluding them causes more problems than it's worth. Those people interested in crafting a policy agenda that caters to the needs of constituents in America's mostly black districts will remain part of the caucus. Those who are just trying to make a point will eventually leave, and once it's clear that anyone who wants to can join, it will cease being an issue worth making a big deal about. And we won't have to listen to Republican histrionics about "reverse racism."
Indeed. It's one thing to have a Caucus specifically interested in the welfare of African-Americans. It's another to have a private, race-based, social club. The whole "reverse discrimination" deal has about as much truck with me as Newt Gingrich fear of "gay Nazis." But this fight is stupid on two counts. 1.) As Adam points out, tactically, you have absolutely nothing to gain. 2.) You're just wrong. HBCUs are clearly set up to educate black kids--but they don't bar white kids from coming. They just tell them to expect a heavy dose of Baldwin--as they should.
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