Keeping the Color Line

• Why are many progressive organizations, as well as the Republican and Democratic parties, still so white?

This election year, both parties are taking credit for their supposed progress on the ever-ticklish topic of race. The Democrats are giving Barack Obama a prime-time starring role while Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie makes repeated references to "celebrating a milestone achievement in our party's connection with America's minorities." One of the delegates to the Republican Convention, Dominican American Fernando Mateo told me, "In terms of minority representation, the party has grown by more than 70 percent since (2000)." Of course, a closer look at the convention showed the Republican Party is still an overwhelmingly white institution, a glorified gated community where non-whites (excluding those propped up for photo opportunities) sweep, caretake and do almost everything except exercise power. The claims of inclusiveness don't stop with the rhetoric of Democratic or Republican leaders. Peace-minded protesters, progressive organizations like United for Peace and Justice (UPJ) and others outside of the politico-corporate consensus claim similar advances. [more ]