As Americans tuned into CNN and C-Span in high numbers to watch the House debate and vote on health care reform, controversy swelled about racial insults hurled at black members of Congress as they made their way in to debate.
In an incident that took place on Saturday, black members of the house allegedly had the N-word shouted at them by members of the Tea-Party movement. These leaders included Reps. John Lewis, D-Ga. Rep. Lewis had been instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s, fighting against the government for equality for blacks. Now, as a member of the institution he once rebelled against, he faced off against racism once more. “I haven’t heard anything like this in 40, 45 years. Since the march to Selma, really,” Rep. Lewis told reporters.
Congressman Rangel, also active in the Civil Rights movement and one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, was quick to respond. As the Fox News Website reported:
You don’t see any black folks in these groups,” said Rangel. “Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever.”Rangel suggested that some of the protesters knew Lewis’ story and deliberately went after him.”They knew what he represented.”
Rangel also made sure to make his feelings known during the actual debate. “”No matter how long anybody has been in this body, people will ask which side were you on and, thank God, I’m on the right side,” Rangel said on the floor of the House. on Sunday.
Rangel rose up in Congress fighting for under-represented Blacks and other minorities, as well as poverty-stricken, so, in the wake of recent scandals, it served him well to remind his constituents about the positive things he stood for and the many fights against racial intolerance he fought and won in the past. Instead of merely doing damage control and trying to stay out of the limelight, he was able to make his voice heard again.
Unfortunately, the Rangel campaign made a recent gaffe that the Daily News was able to seize upon. A tax pamphlet was sent out to Rangel’s constituents offering advice on how to do your taxes properly and receive money back from the federal government.
Considering allegations of tax fraud against Rangel, the Daily News find a few quotable types who were amazed at Rangel’s hubris. From the article:
“Well, I think if anyone is going to tell you how to pay – or not pay – taxes, he’s your guy,” chuckled retiree Ed Hanft, 85. “It’s too much of a reminder to his constituents as to what he did. He shouldn’t talk about taxes at all.”
Reno Brown, 89, agreed. “I’d never take tax advice from that guy,” Brown told the Daily News.
“It’s probably not the best time to put something like that out,” observed Keisha Jones, 40.
A common criticism lobbied at Rangel was that he felt too comfortable in his powerful position and took questionable liberties because of this. Sending out a pamphlet championing your ability to help people do their taxes when you’re in tax trouble yourself probably isn’t the best move if you’re trying to show that you don’t think you’re above the law.