Democrat Takeover Could Mean A Black Speaker Of The House
The country could look a whole lot different after the mid term elections in November. If Democrats can take over the House of Representatives it may change more than philosophy; it could bring the first African American Speaker of the House.
In 230 years, there has never been a black speaker. At one time Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts was considered a republican possibility after the ouster of Newt Gingrich. However, today, the environment is rich with the possibilities of some real change in the House of Representatives. And it’s a place that needs some real improvements. Congress today has a disapproval rating of 73.5! That is clearly not a sign of confidence and is more of a clear indication something significant needs to be done. Like some say if you want to see change, change everything. That opens the door to a world of opportunities.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is going to run for re-election but the writing is on the wall that her days as leader of House Democrats is over. She was once House Speaker starting in 2011 for four years. However, too many see her as the reason things are so wrong in Washington D.C. Right or wrong she is seen as part of the problem and not the solution. This leaves the door open for a host of worthy black House leaders who could take the reins.
When Joe Crowley went down in defeat by Alexander Ocasio-Cortez in June, it threw the race wide open. Crowley was the heir apparent. To be defeated by someone to the left of him has caused everyone to pause. Is the country asking for a sea change in leadership? The republicans received their answer when the improbable Donald Trump was elected president after defeating a host of party leaders and edging Hillary Clinton in the general election in the electoral college vote. Key to his win was winning the south. The most likely candidate among black candidates is U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina. He already is the third ranking member, is extremely well liked and could be a lot of help in the south come the next presidential election. His attributes aside, there is a lot that would have to fall his way. First Pelosi would first have to lose in her bid to become speaker. The Democrats would have to win enough to take over the House and there are other powerful legislators who want to wear the crown. Power is not given; it is taken. The 48-member Congressional Black Caucus can only get him so far. Clyburn, like the others being considered, is loyal to Pelosi. The leadership on top supports her but they know there is strong interest in replacing her. There is also some desire to have a younger person assume the Speaker position. Clyburn is 78 and some worry that people that age might not have the stamina to absorb the rigors of the job. Men much younger are being considered, so the race is far from settled.
But, none of this will mean anything if Democrats don’t first win the House and anything can happen now in the Era of Trump.
Good News on Name Change
Happy to report some good news for a change on changing the name of schools or institutions. One of the most controversial figures in American history is Christopher Columbus, the man who was long credited with discovering America. History stamped him into books proclaiming his great achievements. The problem was, it was a well-constructed lie. He didn’t discover anything. He washed up in the Caribbean lost and thinking he was in India. And of course, the land he claimed to have discovered was inhabited by over 500 different tribal groups. He was not the father of discovery, he was the father of slavery. He slaughtered and enslaved native people and later set up slave trade routes to what Indian people called Turtle Island. He is hardly someone worthy of honors like having his name adorn a school. Native people have long fought the recognition of his National holiday. Many choose to recognize native people instead. So, when Christopher Columbus Elementary School was tabbed for a name change it was good news. But, what to rename the school?
After many suggestions and much debate, the school is now going to be named Dolores Huerta Elementary School. In selecting Huerta for renaming the school, she, along with Caesar Chavez formed the United Farmworkers Union that not only fought for the rights of farm workers but all workers wanting better treatment in the workplace. In her efforts to seek change she was jailed and beaten by police in all her non-violent protests. Her beating at the hands of police was so severe she received a huge settlement that she used to further her efforts in fighting for civil and women’s rights. She is still alive and she has been honored with everything from movies about her life to the Presidential Freedom Medal. This will mark the second time a school has been named after her. However, the name change means much more for the Hispanic community.
The Dolores Huerta Elementary moniker is not just a sign of diversity, it is a compassionate and welcoming hand from the education system to the Hispanic community. The fear and horror Hispanic Tulsans have felt since President Donald Trump took office cannot be understated. Every member of the Tulsa community knows someone negatively effected by the harsh draconian approach to Hispanic immigration and citizenship issues. The school is almost half Hispanic and the Tulsa student population is 34 percent-the largest demographic group in Tulsa.
