The Republican Party and Black Music Month

by Raynard Jackson

For the past 30 years, the month of June has been declared Black Music Month. Former President Jimmy Carter signed the first proclamation in June 1979. The proclamation came as a result of the tireless lobbying efforts of my good friend, Kenny Gamble (of the famous songwriting team, Gamble & Huff).

My radio show will celebrate legends like Gamble and others throughout the month of June. You can listen to my show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m. (east coast time) at: www.ustalknetwork.com.

Former president George W. Bush celebrated the occasion every year with an event at the White House. Thus far, I have been unable to confirm any such proclamation or event from President Obama.

But even more disappointing is that the Republican National Committee (RNC) nor Republican members of Congress have done anything to acknowledge this occasion. These are the simple things the party could do to create a presence in our community. Republicans never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity!

Instead, Republicans spent last weekend and the early part of this week criticizing President Obama for spending time with his wife. The president decided to take his wife to New York to see a Broadway play and Republicans went on this silly tirade about the cost of him flying on a plane with his security detail. How appropriate—Republicans use the month of June (Black Music Month) to show how “politically” tone deaf they really are.

We are supposed to be the party of family values, but we ridicule a president that exudes family values and criticize him because he didn’t use Amtrak and dump his security detail for his trip to New York. And Republicans wonder why they keep losing elections?

“Wake up everybody no more sleeping in bed; no more backwards thinking, time for thinking ahead.” (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)

How much time would it have taken for the RNC and Republican members of Congress to send out a press release acknowledging the beginning of Black Music Month? I know, I know, I can make the same argument about the Democrats, but I don’t care about them. I am a Republican!

There is a very disturbing message behind this oversight. It’s quite obvious that the RNC nor Republican members of Congress have anyone around them that are in tune with the Black community. Why do they not have a master calendar of major events in the Black community (Black History Month, Juneteenth Day, etc)? Republicans, as usual, are “Talking Loud and Saying Nothing.” (James Brown)

Republicans have a very powerful message to begin a conversation within the music industry on issues like copyright protection, piracy, and royalties. It’s a no brainer to do a town hall meeting with singers, producers, and songwriters during Black Music Month.

If the party did this, these artists would be “Overjoyed!’ (Stevie Wonder)

Today, people are focused on “Survival.” (The O’Jays) But, Republicans are focused on the president taking his wife to a Broadway play. They need to focus more on how to “Give the People What They Want.” (The O”Jays)

People want a growing economy, domestic security, a good educational system, and affordable health care. What are Republicans doing to deal with these issues? If Republicans think they have better solutions than the White House, when will they take their solutions to the market place of ideas?

The Republican’s approach has been hitting a sour note with the American people, especially within the Black community. Calling Obama the “messiah, the chosen one;” calling Sotomayor a “racist;” or criticizing the president for spending time with his wife goes to the heart of the Republican problem. Weak people take strong positions on weak issues!

With music, you need strings, percussions, and keyboards to create a holistic sound that appeals to people. But, as long as Republicans insist on having only one section, they will continue to fall flat and thereby create a sound that makes one put their hands over their ears. There can be a message in the Republican’s music, but not if they insist on eliminating other sections of the symphony.

Everyone loves good music, but not when it’s off key. Republicans have been off key for several years and if they are not careful the American people will totally tune them out.

Republican’s failure to recognize Black Music Month is a fitting symbol for their relationship with the Black community—nonexistent. In the words of the great balladeer, James Ingram, “I did my best but I guess my best wasn’t good enough ‘cause here we are back where we were before; seems nothing ever changes, we’re back to being strangers; wondering if we oughta stay or head on out the door. Just once, can’t we figure out what we keep doing wrong.?”

Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm.