On March 5, 1770 America as we know it began. The spirit of activism that has spread across our country in recent years is the spirit of Crispus Attucks, a black man who lost his life during the Boston Massacre. That day would serve as the basic premise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and the begining of the American Revolution. Three years later we would see rise to the Boston Tea Party. Crispus Attucks’ legacy and what he died for doesn’t represent a feather in the cap for just Blacks, but for everyone."When in 1776 the Negro was asked to decide between British oppression and American independence," renowned educator Booker T. Washington observed in an 1898 address, "we find him choosing the better part and Crispus Attucks, a Negro, was the first to shed his blood on State street, Boston, that the white American might enjoy liberty forever, though his race remained in slavery." After the 2008 election we saw rise to a Tea party that, like Attucks, only wanted Freedom and to be left alone.

It wanted the basic rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution, Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. It wanted Freedom from government intrusion, Freedom from high and excessive taxation, but most importantly it wanted the Freedom to CHOOSE its own path and destiny.

Some have labeled the Tea Party movement as a racist movement designed to destroy President Obama. Now while some may want to see President Obama fail, the basic premise of the movement is founded on the life and legacy of Crispus Attucks. The Tea Party movement of today could have been more successful had it reached out to Blacks, Hispanics, Democrats and Moderate Republicans who believe in the American tradition. For those of you who will say the opposite, I beg you to point to a credible face or person that is talking to these groups. The problem is that a credible Black voice in the spirit of Crispus Attucks does not exist. This year’s midterm elections could very well change that. Right here in Texas, we have James White and Stefani Carter, who are black and Republicans, both won State Representative races in majority white districts that insiders had written off as a lost cause. Also voters elected two blacks to Congress who are also Republicans, one in South Carolina and one in Florida. Again these were majority white districts. These individuals and others following them, have the opportunity to become credible voices of the movement.

Right now the Tea party movement is in a unique position to go into Black and Hispanic communities to recruit and elect Democrats and/or Republicans to carry its message of freedom, smaller government, ethical leadership and ridding the system of business as usual politics. The voters in Sunnyside have the same concerns as voters in Briargrove Park. While one may point to Sunnyside being an urban area and Briargrove Park being more affluent the issues are still similar if not the same. A prime example of this theory being true is the re-election of Borris Miles. Representative Miles, a Democrat ran his campaign on “Taking Back 146” the same language as the Tea Party movement (Take Back America). It can be said Representative Miles, a black Democrat could very well espouse some of the same philosophy as the Tea Party movement. Who was he taking District 146 back from? White racist or an elected official who was out of touch with his constituency and the times? I would like to think it is the latter since Representatives Miles beat Al Edwards, a real estate broker and preacher who is black.

Right here in Houston, Texas we heard about a “racist” group called the King Street Patriots (KSP) and how they were out to deny Blacks and Hispanics the right to vote. KSP fueled this flame even more so because they didn’t have the foresight to send a letter to Democrat precinct chairs to offer poll watcher training. They didn’t have the foresight to invite Democrat elected officials out to share their views on Government and its role. By reaching out to Democrats, King Street would have dodged a public relations blunder.