A Black Man's Speech At The Minnesota Tea Party Rally

Donald W.R. Allen, II - Editor in Chief of theThe injustices, such as years of empty promises
Independent Business News Networkwithout the delivery of jobs and opportunity,
Good Afternoon, my name is Don Allen. I am thesuffered by the people of Minnesota call for a
editor in chief of the Independent Business Newsdifferent approach and new ideas.  This means
Network.that we as a Conservative Movement cannot
I would like to thank Toni Backdahl and the Teawaste any more time attacking the beliefs of a
Party Patriots for this opportunity to speak togroup, individual or organization, without brining
you today.anything to the table.  
Malcolm X said, "I believe in human beings, andWe need this movement that will speak to the
that all human beings should be respected as such,needs of all the people of Minneapolis/ St Paul. 
regardless of their color."This includes whites, blacks, Asians, Native
The Tea Party Movement has reached out toAmericans, Somalis, and immigrants, documented
me, and people that look like me.and undocumented.  There is no place for racism
Yes, I've heard the mainstream media reportsand intolerance in the Tea Party movement.  I
that the Tea Party Movement is racist and didthink that we are bigger than this.  We are
not believe what I believed in.   But I think thatbetter than this.  Our cause is nobler than this.
there is the potential for this movement to bringAnd it is time for us to move beyond objections
about a true revolution in this country.and attacks, anger and rage, to deliver
I also witnessed first hand on last Saturday theconstructive solutions that will make this nation
mainstream media's attempt dismiss a positivethe great nation that we know it can be.
Tea Party forum when WCCO channel  4I come before you today to ask the Republican
television sent out a camera and reporter to aParty and Conservatives to set aside your sense
Tea Party rally in north Minneapolis at a Blackof White Privilege. I ask that you actually make an
owned business and refused to air the report oneffort to reach out to those in the community
their 6 p.m. news cast, sighting excuses of notwith a promise of an open mind with actions to
enough time in the news cast. The fact of thefollow.
matter was, this rally was in the heart of a BlackI have to keep my plan local. In 2008 I personally
neighborhood; it was successful and we talkedwatched a process where GOP endorsed
about issues that concerned all people from allcandidates receive less than favorable treatment,
walks of life. WCCO would never let thisin an effort to support those who had a "more
information be aired on their network. The proofpopular" base.
– they haven't aired it yet…I guess it's okayMinnesota's 4th and 5th Congressional District
for WCCO Channel 4 to stay inside the box.deserves conservative leadership able to answer
I always find it funny when people who fear athe needs of the many, without celebration status
new idea and make fun of that idea are lackingof a Hollywood rock star or tabloid starlet.
factual information to make an informed choiceI come before you today on behalf of the many
for their families, friends and co-workers. If youConservatives who look like me; who want
each, respectfully, look back in the past to localchange in the political process; that want a
political races, the questions that are being askeddifferent kind of response from elected official
today are the same questions that were asked inthat govern our poor and jobless communities.
2004, 2006, 2008. When will an answer comeI ask that you actually make an effort to reach
forth?out to those in the community with a promise of
But yes, there are troubling circumstances. Somean open mind and actions to follow.
in the Tea Party Movement have taken ChristianIt is not okay to ignore Blacks, Hispanics, Asians
fundamentalists' language of ‘moral' panic andand Somali voters.
used it as a platform for a white nationalistIn closing, using the words of the late Reverend
uprising." We, as a movement can no let thisDr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Almost always, the
happen. The Message is not White or Black, it's all.creative dedicated minority has made the world
The Minister Louis Farrakhan said, "Anarchy maybetter."
await America, due to the daily injustices sufferedThank you.
by the people."