Is Black Political Power Under Siege?
In the past two weeks, one could make the argument that African American politicians are somehow under siege. With Republicans headed into a majority, the four Congressional Black Caucus Members lose Chairmanships over powerful House committees. Eighteen will give up subcommittee Chairs. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) barely held on to finally end up with a specially designed “Assistant Leader” position to back midterm-demoted House Minority Leader-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Publicly, the CBC appears fine with it; privately, some cringe that Clyburn ultimately got a made-up political crumb. Founding CBC Member Rep. Charlie Rangel’s (D-NY) ethics trial ends up in an embarrassing vote for censure. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) will be next to face the House Ethics Committee gavel. Two others, Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), are in the immediate inquiry pipeline. There is a larger issue of waning Black political influence nationwide. Much of it is si
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