Token Talk

A lot has been made about the fact that I have chosen to refer to GOP Chairman, Michael Steele as a ‘token.’ Go figure.

First, let’s review the definition of ‘token’ from the Urban Dictionary, shall we…

A minority that was deliberately put on a show or movie for the sake of being culturally diverse. They get few lines so less mistakes are made and few to no flaws. Tokens are written for specially because everyone knows people who look different MUST act different.

Now, it has been said to me that I should be pleased that the Republican Party is “finally becoming accepting of blacks.” I kid you not — someone actually wrote that to me.

So, here was my response…

While I appreciate your view, here’s my take. If Republican’s wanted to impress me with ‘inclusion’ they would have named a black chairman in 1965. OK, maybe that’s not fair. How about 1975 or 1985 or 1995 or 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008? No, they waited until 2009. Now what significant event happened in 2009 before the GOP selected their new token? For some reason the date January 20, 2009 sticks out but I can’t seem to remember why that date is so important. Oh well, I’m sure it will come to me. In the meanwhile thanks for sharing your thoughts with me and for reading my Blog. Keep the comments coming…I love the dialogue! CJ

What?? Too bitchy?

The bottom line is this, if it looks like a token, acts like a token and talks like a token then who am I to call him anything but a token? Maybe, just maybe had Steele stuck his ground when he called out Rush Limbaugh earlier this year, I would have a different view of him. But, no. He spoke…then the masses spoke…then he apologized. From where I’m sitting, he all but established himself as a token right there. I was just merely pointing out the obvious…or so I thought.

Now I know at the end of the day, I’m simply giving in to name calling. But I do have history, personal history to fall back on. When I turned 18, I was actively recruited to join the GOP in my hometown. At the time, the GOP was very strong in my area, and it was made clear to me that “good things” could come from my registering as a Republican. Again, I kid you not…that’s exactly how it was presented to me. Now, there wasn’t ever a hesitation when I registered to vote for the first time, and while it was flattering to be courted by the GOP, I wasn’t interested in becoming a token member of the party…which is exactly what they wanted me to be…hence why they targeted me and others in my neighborhood.

Don’t get me wrong…I believe Steele believes in all things Republican, and isn’t just putting on a show as the leader of the GOP. But that doesn’t make him any less the token I’m calling him.

On a positive note (OK, not really) I will say this for Mr. Steele…he is fast becoming my favorite person to watch being interviewed. During a recent interview, Steele said, “I don’t think I’ve ever really subscribed to that view that you can turn it [being gay] on and off like a water tap. You just can’t simply say, oh, like, ‘Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being gay.’ It’s like saying ‘Tomorrow morning I’m gonna stop being black.’”

For the third and final time….you just can’t make that stuff up!