Sussex County’s Republican committee gathered Monday in Georgetown and there weren’t any victims in the room.  I’m not talking about some newcomers to the political scene.  Eighteen members of the Sussex County Community Organized Regiment attended and got a firsthand look at a political party working to rebuild itself from the local level.  Despite some earlier concerns the two groups were civil. 
 
Tuesday morning I telephoned a lady friend to give her all the details from the GOP meeting.  Then it dawned on me.  Every last person I could see in the auditorium Monday night was Caucasian.  Similar note from Saturday’s Regiment
meeting, our frequent radio caller, Art from Long Neck, leaned over at one point.  “There aren’t any blacks here”, he said.  Two meetings and a few hundred
people combined and the voices of Sussex County’s people of color are nowhere
to be seen or heard.
 
The liberals like to maintain it’s because Republicans and conservatives aren’t welcoming.  Let me tell you something, folks, everyone walking through the door Saturday didn’t have any serious idea of what they would see.  It was new.  Much the same could be said of Monday’s Republican gathering.  As you know there was trepidation before that meeting from many in attendance, whether they be party regulars or first time viewers as were many from the Regiment.  I went to Monday night’s meeting and I can assure you there were people there who would rather endure root canal than deal with my presence.  It’s my job.  I make noise and I raise public interest but sharing roses doesn’t always do it.  Let me also wager the local Democrat committee has few people of color in attendance.  Last summer I called a rally in hopes of lowering fuel prices.  Didn’t see many minorities that day.  Do you have a minority gasoline discount?
 
Yet I walked through an open door Monday, chatted with a few people and took a seat.  The Republicans conducted very much a freewheeling and open meeting.  The County Chair even opened the floor before closing and allowed input from the room.  The meeting ended only after the last interested speaker had his or her say. 
 
Where were the blacks?  Some, like Betty from Millsboro, often call my show and express anger.  She and a few other people like her insist the deck in the American card game is stacked against them.  Oh, Betty, where were you Saturday morning and Monday night? 
 
Interesting there are residents of Sussex County who philosophically believe
government must do more, much more, in involving itself in our daily lives and
yet these very same people don’t get involved.  An example would be the Sussex County Council.  The meetings are streamed live on the web.  I can take a seat at work and watch the action.  Yet I can’t recall the last time I looked at the pictures and saw anyone of color in attendance.   
 
A man attending the County Republican meeting stepped down as party Vice Chairman after 8 years in that role.  He has nearly a dozen kids at home and a job and his children have been home-schooled and over the years he got them to church once or twice a three times a week.  Tell me, those from the minority community, why don’t you have the time?
 
If you want a seat at the table then show up.  Complaints to a radio show change no laws.  I’m not the government.  I make no laws and I enforce no laws and I sure as heck make no decisions about government resources.  Complaints to talk radio echo briefly into the ether and then vanish into some vague memory.  Success and self-reliance require your participation.

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