nemo me impune lacessit

Translation of Barbra Boxer's entire line of questioning of Dr. Condoleezza Rice yesterday:

"Who do you think you are? denying your racial heritage and being a conservative Republican and wanting to serve in a white man's White House?"

Uh, yeah, Barbra. It was that obvious. I have never understood why so many black Americans (and I once read of a prominent black actress going to Africa and when asked what her ethnicity was, she replied, "African-American." The African looked at her and said, "No, you are an American with black skin. I'm African." She rethought her word choice.) have imposed the expectation of all blacks having to be a Democrat? If a black American chooses to be conservative in their politics and even (gasp!) call themselves a Republican, they are treated as a traitor to the black community (and by the way, I personally believe in one race- the human race, with varying ethnicities) and have their integrity and intelligence insulted (as was done by Barbra Boxer to Dr. Rice).

La Shawn Barber is a perfect example from the blogosphere. She is intelligent, graceful, strong, well-written and well-read. She is a Christian who has allowed her belief in God to shape her worldview rather than her culture, her peers, or her detractors. I have been reading her since about March of 2004 and have seen her attacked repeatedly for not buying into the "expected politics" of her black peers. She isn't a parrot of a white party. She uses her own mind, logic and rhetoric, influenced only by her faith to express her opinions. She isn't the only one, either.

Juliette of Baldilocks is another example of a conservative black woman. She hasn't "sold out to the Man" and hasn't compromised her integrity. She has proudly served her country in the United States Army, not some conspiritorial institution created to keep black people down. Her experiences and the opportunities she sought while in the military have lent themselves as a seasoning to her profound faith and shaping of her character into outstanding integrity, and service to the people of this country.

So, talk on Barbra Boxer. There are plenty of conservative black people out there who will continue to speak out for their fellow American citizens, promoting and encouraging thoughtful and respectful dialogue that will bring about the excellence of all peoples only at the expense of their own sweat and self-denial for the betterment of themselves and their neighbor, not at the expense of their neighbor.

P.S. Good for you, Dr. Rice. I was so proud that you didn't allow the malicious intent of Senator Boxer's questioning to rattle you, but rather reminded her to keep the dialogue away from false accusations and personal agendas.