demetriuspeaks

Tim Scott’s swearing in ceremony as United States Senator was an historic achievement that was embraced and celebrated by many—except the NAACP. Ben Jealous, president of the organization, made this claim: “We have Republicans who believe in civil rights — unfortunately he is not one of them,” Jealous said. “And unfortunately his party as you know, has really gone after so-called RINOs as they call them, these Republicans who believe in civil rights, again and again.”

Let’s cut to the chase: Scott was ostracized by the NAACP because he’s a black conservative Republican who refuses to subscribe to the myth that all blacks must be loyal to liberals and big government policies.

It’s asinine for Jealous to suggest Scott, who is the product of a dirt poor single mother in South Carolina, isn’t concerned with civil rights. The fact of the matter is that the NAACP, who claims to be nonpartisan, vocalizes opposition against anyone who believes in conservative ideals such as school choice, limited government, lower taxes, and individual liberty.

Here are some recent examples of the NAACP’s bias against conservative Republicans:

Rev. CL Bryant, a FreedomWorks fellow, held a key leadership role within the NAACP, including serving as president of the chapter in Garland, TX in the late 1980s. He noted that after he declined to speak on behalf of the NAACP at a pro-choice rally due to his religious convictions, the organization began to turn sour towards him and that it led to his inevitable departure. He was also relieved of his duties as a pastor due to his opposition to race-card cohorts Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, and after vocalizing his beliefs in the principles of limited government. 

Bryant and Deneen Borelli, Director of Outreach for FreedomWorks, reached out to the NAACP for support after many racial slurs were hurled at them for their outspoken conservative stance. The organization refused to respond or correspond with them in any way.

And if you thought they were only hostile to individuals who differ in opinion, think again. Benjamin Jealous addressed the issue of voter ID in July 2012 at the NAACP’s Annual Convention in Houston. Unfortunately, he embraced the left’s absurd belief that equates voter ID to voter suppression and an assault on the rights of minorities. He likened the movement of opposition to voter ID laws to the Civil Right Movements in Selma and Birmingham. Mr. Jealous invoked this resemblance to elicit an emotional response during an intense presidential election cycle. What he neglected to inform the oldest civil rights organization in the nation of, is that voter ID prohibits voter fraud, which currently serves as the biggest hindrance to casting a ballot and ensuring fair elections. 

In July of 2010, the NAACP passed a resolution condemning presumed racism from the Tea Party. Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP’s Washington bureau and senior vice president for advocacy and policy, made the assertion that Tea Party activists spat on Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights activist and friend to Dr. Martin Luther King, and called Rep Emanuel Cleaver the ‘N-word’. As of this date, neither claim has been proven true and no evidence has been presented to back up these claims. Many Tea Party activists have indicated on numerous occasions that racism will not be tolerated and that the movement is focused on making government fiscally responsible and ruled according to the Constitution.

In 2006, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond compared the GOP to Nazis and compared judicial nominees of then President George W. Bush to the Taliban. 

The partisan rhetoric spewed by members of the NAACP proves that they are entrenched in the far left movement, and that they are not as concerned with civil rights and racial equality as much as they are about creating a false narrative that black Americans are victims and continue to live in oppression.

By bringing these examples to light, I am not suggesting that conservatives ignore the NAACP.  It is important to note that the NAACP was founded by the Republican Party and conservatives should challenge the NAACP to provide a message of equality and opportunity, instead of a message of victimization.

The year 2012 was arguably the most transformational year of my life. At the beginning of the year, I was living in North Augusta, SC. I was enjoying life as a political radio show co-host and producer and local TV show co-host.

I was a very popular figure within my community. I had connections with local politicians, businessmen, educators and even ministers.

When I wasn’t in the comfortable abode of a radio/TV station, I was the center of attention at the party scenes. I was admitted into bars and clubs for free, and I mesmerized many individuals with smooth dance moves and a charming pick-up line or two. I even bragged to my closest friend’s that “the party didn’t start until I hit the dance floor.”

Spiritually, I was dry and lost. I had substituted a walk with God for popularity and a secular lifestyle.

I thought I was having the time of my life until one of my party friends got killed in an hit-and-run accident. I hear an audible voice from God telling me that if I remained where I was that I was going to die. I was unaware if this was going to be a spiritual or physical death, but I just knew that I felt like I was beginning to succumb to fear and anxiety.

I called my parents who were residing in Virginia in February to inform them that I was going to move to their location at the end of March.

During my final month in North Augusta, I began the uncomfortable and painful task of bidding adieu to my co-workers, church family and some of my closest friends. There were quite a few of them who didn’t understand the nature of my decision to move and pondered the thought of my possible return.

I tried my best to explain to them that my exodus was to begin a new journey and that I was simply unaware of what the future would bring.

I moved to Virginia the last week of March with a definite fear of the unknown. How would I adapt to my new environment? How will it be living with my parents again? How long would it take for me to rehabilitate spiritually? Will I find employment? Will I be able to trust anyone here?

I immediately began to feel a positive impact when the church my parents attended in Virginia quickly embraced me without holding judgment. Through the weekly small group meetings and Sunday services, I found myself spiritually maturing quicker than I had originally thought.

I could’ve easily entrenched myself in self-pity, condemnation and guilt. Instead, I challenged and encouraged myself to accept God’s forgiveness for past sins and to move forward and fulfill the purpose God has given me.

My newfound faithfulness to God’s kingdom quickly paid off. I found a job within a reasonable time span and me and a good friend from St. Louis launched a successful online radio show at the end of May.

As I write this final blog post for 2012, I can sit here and reflect on God’s mercy and grace. I’m highly confident that 2013 will be a year of transition. I’m expecting my faith to be accelerated. I feel there will be a transition from being a spiritual nomad to being a vessel used by God to perform miracles, signs and wonders. I’m expecting the transition from experiencing the fear of the unknown to fully taking hold of the challenges put before me knowing that God will never abandon me and will help me accomplish every task given to me.

I’m acutely aware that challenges and circumstances will arise in 2013. That’s a given. With the transitioning to a mindset of spiritual authority and dominion, these obstacles will not be a distraction, but a mere stepping stone to the next level of faith.

I’m enthused about what God has in store in 2013. It’ll be a monumental year. One transition has already been made: Instead of hoping for positive results, I’m already claiming that there WILL BE a surge of positivity to come my way.

Be blessed in 2013.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley appointed Rep. Tim Scott to be the replacement for outgoing Sen. Jim DeMint. The move was highly anticipated since DeMint announced that he would be departing the Senate on December 6th.

Scott, a Tea Party favorite, will bring a strong message of conservative principles to the Senate; one that is centered around limited government, lower taxes, and free enterprise.

In the press conference announcing her appointment of Scott to the Senate, Gov. Haley noted the historic significance applied to her decision.  “It is important to me, as a minority female, that Congressman Scott earned this seat,” Haley said. ”He earned this seat for the person that he is. He earned this seat with the results he has shown.”

Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives in 2010, Scott worked at an insurance company and was also involved with real-estate. He served on the Charleston City Council in 1995 and was selected to be the statewide chairman of the late Sen. Strom Thurmond’s senatorial campaign. He is a staunch believer in school choice and tuition vouchers, both are strong assets to his conservative credentials.

At the press conference, Scott immediately turned his focus toward the frail and anemic economy, “I look forward to pressing the flesh on economic development issues, having the opportunity to work on making sure that our economy in this state continues to hum like an engine and get on the team with Nikki Haley to make sure that all of America continues to hear the great things about South Carolina.”

Scott is now the lone African-American in the Senate. He is the first black Republican Senator since Edmund Brooke in 1979 and first Republican Senator in the South since Reconstruction.

While the mainstream media has long attempted to label the Tea Party and Republicans as “old, rich white men” and “racists,” Tim Scott debunks that liberal myth. He broadens the GOP’s appeal and brings a sense of leadership that Washington so desperately needs.

In retrospect, the Tea Party is to thank for the diversity and appeal that is attributed tot he modern-day conservative movement. It produced victories for Hispanic New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, newly-elected Hispanic Sen. Ted Cruz, and the well-known Cuban-American, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who is rumored to be one of the favorites to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2016. 

Not everyone was pleased to hear about Tim Scott’s promotion. Liberals began to conform to their usual race-baiting whenever a black conservative gleams in the spotlight. Radio show Amos Brown managed to express a distasteful and hateful sentiment towards Scott via Twitter (@Amoswtlcindy). “Gee, courtesy of S. Carolina GOP, the nation gets Tim Scott an ultra-rightwing, Tea Party devotee US Senator who’s Black only in skin color.”

While it is typical of the left to invoke a senseless notion that black conservatives are less authentic for their stances and beliefs, it is important that the narrative be centered on true substance: jobs, growing the economy, and strengthening the middle class.

Tim Scott is not only a symbol of racial progression and diversity, but he embodies the American dream.  He is someone who came from very humble roots, experienced many challenges along the way but with hard work and dedication has become a powerful voice for liberty.  He will be positive force in the United States Senate. 

On Sat, Dec 1, college football was the center of attention in many American households as the Alabama Crimson Tide and Georgia Bulldogs squared off in an intense battle for the SEC Championship. During the game, Marco Rubio, the 41 year-old GOP senator from Florida, sent several tweets related to the game.  I thought to myself, ‘This guy gets it!’ Not that a college football game resembles politics, but sports do reflect culture, and culture is essential into making political gains in the ever so changing demographics.

Making politics acceptable, in part, is realizing that most voters do not live in a political space but yet are immersed in culture. Therefore, even politicians, especially politicians must reach out to that culture in whatever means available and Rubio’s engagement on social media and football is part of that effort. Whether it’s keen knowledge of sports, music, spirituality, or the arts, the intertwining of culture and politics will produce a renaissance in the 21^st century.

Nothing irritates me more than seeing old, half-bald men, who are only accustomed to phone banking and door knocking in an election year, trying to lead the narrative on engaging the youth. It’s not to say that there isn’t wisdom to be gained from seasoned activists, but new voices must emerge. Millennials should be the most active, energized and engaged and advocate for cultural appeal among the conservative movement. Politicians are a synopsis of their society. Culture is a synopsis of society. If we want more politicians elected that inhabitant a moral conscious and a law of ethics, we must be willing to change the cultural environment.

Many youth are reluctant to obey rules that are set before them, it’s why I’m positive that they would be hesitant to embrace a nanny-state America if they truly understood what liberties were at stake. Letting young people know what the power of free markets and individual liberty looks like and how it can empower them will enable them to boldly tell the government “hands-off” of their freedoms.

Young conservatives have done quite well in engaging in technological euphoria of social media. There is an immense amount of conservative talent that amasses Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The intellect and wit of conservatives on these websites are undeniably second to none. However, it is quite easy to abide in the political bubble of social media and not change a single heart or mind.

It can be entertaining and comfortable to use social media as an outlet to vent frustration and to bring awareness of the liberal agenda within the mainstream media, but it will not change anything if there is no actual engagement in culture. We must feel obliged to not just use social media, but to be physically active in our cities and communities. It’s time to dispose of the coat and tie, and appeal to the youth. 

Within our own political circle of trust, we find it easy to discuss taxes, budgets, deficits and use mathematical statistics to prove our points. However, this is only appealing to political enthusiasts, not the average millennial. I sincerely believe that the message of freedom and liberty is universal and transcends to all generations. Young people, who I believe by nature are driven by self-interest, should be informed of the rising student loan crisis and the lack of jobs being awarded to college graduates, as well as the entitlement crisis to which they are footing the bill. These are issues that are front and center in the lives of today’s youth. The bigger the government, the less of a chance that today’s youth will have the opportunity to exercise their God-given rights.

Conservatives are known for talking about the corruption of culture that exists in Hollywood, schools, colleges, etc. But let’s not just talk. Let’s activate change. Culture will remain contaminated unless we vocalize our alternatives. We should be present in the areas that are dominated by liberals. If we’re going to win this culture war, we must define the narrative. Because the future of the youth is at stake, a cultural renaissance must occur within the conservative movement. It must be bold, courageous, fierce and unprecedented.

Jeremiah 1:5 states: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” It is in this scripture that we see God’s fondness and admiration for the unborn child. Before our birth, God had a master plan for us to fulfill.

This serves as one of the main arguments for the pro-life cause. The advocacy for the life of the unborn child is in harmony with God’s heartbeat for those who have yet to take their first breath.  Every life is precious and deserves an opportunity to live its life to the maximum potential.

The film “October Baby” takes you inside the life of a high school student named Hannah, who founds out after a serious medical scare, that she was adopted after being on the failing end of an attempted abortion.

Hannah goes on a quest to face her birth mother for the first time and to seek out the truth regarding her mysterious life.

As you can imagine, anger, hurt, frustration and bewilderment became the new norm for Hannah. The feeling of being neglected became Hannah’s world. Whenever she saw herself in the mirror, she saw anguish, bitterness and fear. She viewed herself as a mistake and pondered the reason for her existence.

“October Baby” served as a harsh reminder of the cruel reality that there are those who view the unborn child as a non-necessity and as punishment for an unwanted mistake. There are many who view pregnancy as an obstacle instead of a blessing. We live in a society where it’s easy to abort the unborn child, but easy to indulge in a reckless lifestyle without adhering to the consequences.

In viewing “October Baby”, one is comforted in the fact there are those who are convicted with the fact that true love outweighs all negativity and circumstances. While the liberal ideology tells women that abortion is a choice that should be embraced, there is a positive alternative that encourages adoption or simply keeping the child.

I would highly recommend “October Baby” to every person who reads this. We must all be solemnly reminded that the sanctity of life is a God-given conviction that must abide within our hearts and souls.

President Ronald Reagan once said, “I’ve noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born.” If you’ve read this, you are the beneficiary of life. I compel you to want the innocent to have that same luxury.