May 17, 2010

NRAAC's National Chair
Dr. Jean Howard-Hill

National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] Blog
http://nraac.blogspot.com
http://www.nraacaucus.org

The National Republican African American Caucus Has Its Say!: 18 Day Political Revival

Day 18: The need for a true spiritual and political revival of thought and practices within the GOP, if it is to continue to make claims of being the party of moral values.

[Every good preacher ought to know when it is time to end a revival. I should hope I am among the good preachers. So today ends the 18 Day Political Revival.]

This last political sermon I want to spend talking about the need for a true spiritual and political revival of thought and practices within the GOP, if it is to continue to make claims of being the party of moral values.

There are a lot of benefits of being a united party that returns to its historic roots not just for the purposes of embracing African Americans, but also to restore its core values.

As I have talked about the history of the Republican Party, inclusion, and the redeeming values of the original Republican Party of Lincoln, many have been shocked to know the rich history of the Republican Party and its core values, that makes it the right party for the right times.

With America being in such a political upheaval, where many citizens are openly expressing their displeasure, GOP core values are exactly what most Americans are searching for. These values are something which are needed, not just within the Republican Party, but also across partisan lines. We are a party blessed to have values such as these:

That the right of the individual to achieve the best that is within him, as long as he respects the rights of others, is the source of our nation's strength.

That government exists to protect the freedom of opportunity in which each individual's creative ability can flourish.

That government activities should be limited to those things which people cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves.

That the most effective government is government closest to the people.

That those who cannot provide for themselves should be assisted by both government and society, but that every effort should be made to help them become self-supporting, productive citizens with pride in their independence.

That equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity belong to all, regardless of race, creed, age, sex or national origin.

That the preservation of our nation and the security of our citizens depend upon the Constitution, the laws and the courts, and that respect for these, is the responsibility of every individual.

That government is accountable for maintaining sound money and a responsible economy. Individual rights, liberties and properties are continually eroded when citizens are oppressed by excessive taxation, inflation, government waste and over regulation.

That government is responsible for national defense and that only a strong America can remain a free America.

That it is absolutely essential to maintain a strong national defense posture in order that we may at all times negotiate from a position of strength, not weakness, in our continuing efforts toward world peace and friendship.

That these concepts are the foundation of our national strength and that the Republican Party, which is committed to their preservation, is the Party of today and the Party for the Future.

These are the core values that have caused so many of us to stay and fight, and even endure racism and humiliation in hopes that we can cause the party to take a look at itself and see where it has veered off track and where it has allowed the tare to overtake the wheat.

These values are pure. They are patriotic and American. They embody the American spirit of freedom, liberty and justice for all. They are honorable, compassionate, responsible, strong in resolve, accountable, just, and good. They are powerful and compelling. They have the power to even cross partisan lines and to end its bickering, because they are not just the core values of Republicans, they are the values of Americans.

We called this political revival of "our" beloved Republican Party, not just because we seek to be included at the table, but also because as a political party, we have lost our values and in doing so, we have lost our vision and our way. Our core values are missing and until they are restored, the party lies in ruins, contrary to its own nature and beliefs.

If the GOP can humbly bring itself to the political altar, see its failure to adhere to its own core values, repent of that, change the paths it is taking, turn from the foolishness it has allowed to tarnish its image, then it will not only hear from heaven, but it would hear the sounds of those who once left running swiftly to return home! It also would cause others to join at its side to preserve the true spirit of America. This of itself would heal the land!

This is the power of true Political Revival!

As members of the National Republican African American Caucus, we look forward to this day, and will continue to preach the message of Revival of the Republican Party! We also will not fail to do our part to re-gather those who share this birthright. We will continue to extend the olive branch and to preach a message of civility, integrity and inclusion - a message to return to the very core values in which we were a part of, in the birthing of this Grand Ole Party.

If we can return to those original core values, not only would we cause African Americans to migrate back to the party, but I am convinced that along side them a host of others would come as well.

I also challenge white Republican clergy to join with us and take a stand for what is right. You no longer can sit on the sideline and do and say NOTHING! Nor can you raise other issues, without also dealing with race and the erosion of core values within the GOP. You too are just as much a part of this political revival as black clergy. Therefore, you are obligated to preach the same message of racial inclusion and values. To do anything less, is to compromise and tarnish the call that is on your lives, which is to "cry loud and spare not, lift up your voice like the trumpet of Zion and show the people to whom you shepherd their errors, so that they can find a better way of governing with integrity".

Thank you for listening so attentively over the past few days, as we have had our say in preaching a message of Political Revival for our Grand Ole Party - the true Party of Lincoln.

This brings to a close the NRAAC's Political Revival! ...At least for right now.

One final thing from the preacher: With arms stretched out wide, bring them in to yourself, ...and what you have is a big hug from me!

I love you all from a deep place within my heart - even those who may have been offended by the sermons. But sometimes it takes being offended, before you can get it right. It is my prayer that God will grant us the humility to do what is right and to open our arms to each other in the American spirit of being one nation.

To reach the NRAAC national chair:

Jean Howard-Hill
423-702-5622 NRAAC office
nraachowardhill@gmail.com
Jean.howard.hill@gmail.com

[Dr. Jean Howard-Hill is the author of Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed. She has serves as the national chair for the National Black Republican Women with her late husband, Attorney Bobby Lee Hill serving as the head of the Black Republican Men for Change from 1987 to his death in 1991. After his death up until 1993, she remained head of the organization, and in 1999 combined the two groups to form the National Republican African American Caucus.

She has taught full time and as an adjunct, American Government, State and Local Government, and International Politics and Culture of Nonwestern Countries at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, and was voted 2006 Outstanding Professor of the year. Additionally, from 1976 to 1979, she designed and directed the "Democracy In Action" Program, which was a civics program taught in the local school systems. Howard-Hill also is a local political commentator and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law. She also is ordained clergy and heads The Healing Place Ministries International, overseeing 47 ministries throughout Africa.

She also is a TN third district congressional candidate. If elected, she would be the first African American Republican and female to be elected from the third district. Her campaign website can be found at: http://ladyjforcongress.com and http://jeanhowardhillforcongress.com; http://jeanhowardhillcampaignnews.blogspot.com; http://blogwithladyjforcongress.blogspot.com; http://jeanhowardhillforcongress.ning.com; http://www.youtube.com/JHHCongress; http://twitter.com/ JHHCongress.]

The National Republican African-American Caucus is an organization that is comprised of Spirit filled people of faith within the African American community, that works in conjunction with local, state and national party efforts to embrace, and offer African-American Republicans opportunities for inclusion and involvement in the Republican Party, and builds bridges between the African-American community and the Republican Party. In doing so, it seeks to carry out the philosophy and mission set before President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas to build a stronger and more inclusive Republican Party, where those guiding principles are more important than politics.

More information on the NRAACcan be found at:

http://www.nraacaucus.org; http://nraacaucus.ning.com [NRAAC] National Republican African American Caucus Social Issue Network (members only); http://nraac.blogspot.com [NRAAC Blog]; http://youthonthehorizons.blogspot.com [NRAAC Youth on the Horizons Blog]; http://the-twig.blogspot.com [NRAAC New Generation-New Direction Blog]; and
http://theblackolivebranch.blogspot.com [NRAAC National Chair's Blog]. Each State Caucus can be accessed by state. See related links at http://www.nraacaucus.org/index_files/Page816.htm. Also can be found on the RNC group page at http://our.gop.com/Groups/National_Republican_African-American_Caucus_NRAAC.