Are Black Americans Invited to Tea?
Article audio sponsored by The John Birch Society

In the hubbub of recent articles and arguments about supposed racism in the Tea Party Movement — and conservatism in general — there is much mention of the anti-Obamacare rally held in Washington D.C. on the weekend of last month’s healthcare vote.

Though no audio or video proof is forthcoming, some patriotic attendees at the rally were accused of shouting racial epithets at black members of Congress. The charges are not only unsubstantiated, but hypocritical, as well, since — for some reason — the video of Jesse Jackson taking a snatch at one of the Tea Partier’s signs that Sunday evening from under his low balcony has not made the liberal media rounds.

But the attendance of two particular conservative black men at Tea Party events is conveniently forgotten by the mainstream media.

One less-than-remembered conservative attendance incident was from last August 6. Thugs sporting SEIU (Service Employees International Union) logos attacked and beat a black gentleman, Kenneth Gladney, for distributing Gadsen “Don’t Tread on Me” flags following a Town Hall in St. Louis County. According to David B. Brown’s account, his attorney who also witnessed the event:

Kenneth was attacked on the evening of August 6, 2009 at Rep. Russ Carnahan’s town hall meeting in South St. Louis County. I was at the town hall meeting as well and witnessed the events leading up to the attack of Kenneth. Kenneth was approached by an SEIU representative as Kenneth was handing out “Don’t Tread on Me” flags to other conservatives. The SEIU representative demanded to know why a black man was handing out these flags. The SEIU member used a racial slur against Kenneth, then punched him in the face. Kenneth fell to the ground. Another SEIU member yelled racial epithets at Kenneth as he kicked him in the head and back. Kenneth was also brutally attacked by one other male SEIU member and an unidentified woman. The three men were clearly SEIU members, as they were wearing T-shirts with the SEIU logo.

Kenneth was beaten badly. One assailant fled on foot; three others were arrested. Kenneth was admitted to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center emergency room, where he was treated for his numerous injuries. Kenneth was merely expressing his freedom of speech by handing out the flags. In fact, he merely asked people as they exited the town hall meeting whether they would like a flag. He in no way provoked any argument or altercation, as evidenced by the fact that three assailants were arrested.

Atty. Brown added, “Kenneth supports conservative ideals, although he subscribes to no particular political party.”

Then there is Lloyd Marcus. Not only was he welcomed to Tea Party events, he entertained there. How was his experience? In two weeks of touring with the Tea Party Express bus last fall, he performed at 34 rallies over 16 states. About the racial hatred he endured, Marcus explained:

I experienced vicious racial verbal attacks, not from the tea party protesters. The racial hate expressed against me all came from the left, people who support President Obama’s radical socialist agenda.

Unfortunately, my deleted email box is littered with numerous messages expressing the following:

"You are the dumbest self hating f****** n***** I have ever seen!"

… As to the claim that the tea party protesters are racist, they are not. Quite the opposite. At every rally, with thousands in attendance, I was overwhelmingly showered with affection and thanks for standing up for America. At one rally, a sign read, "Lloyd Marcus for President". These protesters are not racist. They are decent hard working ordinary Americans who love their country and disapprove of the radical changes planned by the Obama administration. Race is not an issue with them. They have deep concerns for their country.

Many patriotic, conservative black Americans have had to fight the same fight. Their ranks might well be much larger if not for the discouraging, well-worn tactics used to “keep them in line” with the race agenda marked out for them.

Photo: Lloyd Marcus