Look Mom, There ARE Black Republicans...
The Republican wave in Congress swept in two new black congressmen, Tim Scott of South Carolina, and Allen West of Florida. Both men will be the first black Republicans to serve in Congress since J.C. Watts retired in 2003. Both men also made history as the first black Republicans elected to Congress from their states in over 100 years. Both men also ran with the blessing of the Tea Party and Sarah Palin. They joined a wave of black Republicans on the ballot this year. According to ABC news, this year 42 blacks ran for the Republican nomination for House seats, and 14 of them won the nomination. For an interesting story on the recent surge in black Republican candidates, click here. For a look at all of the black Republican candidates who ran this year click here.
Allen West |
Tim Scott |
Around the Globe...
In July 2010, Russia elected its first black politician (at any level), Jean Gregoire Sagbo.
Russian Councilor Jean Gregoire Sagbo |
A native of the West African Country of Benin, Sagbo migrated to the Soviet Union in 1982. He was elected as one of 10 Municipal Councilors in the town of Novozavidovo. Sagbo's election is particularly remarkable given Russia's notorious culture of racism. See video of Mr. Sagbo below.
In October 2010, the country of Slovenia elected Europe's first black mayor, Peter Bossman, a Ghanian physician.
Mayor Peter Bossman |
According to Bossman, "I think that people don't see me as a black man. They see me as a good man, as a doctor and the racial question really didn't came into play here."
Congrats to all the winners.
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