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anniebrisibe@yahoo.com Woodbury, MN, USA

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IN AMERICA: THE REPUBLICAN AND THE DEMOCRAT AFRICANS, A TALE OF TWO AMERICANS

n America, the word "Liberal" is a no, no for many especially Republicans or conservatives to be more exact. The November election of 2004 only serves to reemphasize the complexities of being a democrat in the United States. As much as Republicans proudly flaunt their party association, it is not the same for many democrats. Unfortunately, Republicans have succeeded in creating a myth around the word "L" for many who stand in the way, policies and agenda of the Republican Party. You are tagged a "persona non-grata" if a Republican dares speak the language of a Democrat or worse of all a LIBERAL. And what is that language, one may ask "You know the poor in America deserves a better attention from the government", "There needs to be a discussion surrounding the American constitution with respect to racism and how the constitution protects it", "Why is the world not recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity, after all we all agree that the holocaust is a crime against humanity and slavery, even the word itself is a crime against humanity," Why is the working poor paying more taxes than the rich, including corporations," and "Why is White America the decider of the faith of all other Americans." These issues and many others are the underlying factor and concern of the average American especially the most taunted Democrat Senator Edward Kennedy.

On the other hand, without concentrating only on the issues or concerns for democrats, lets shift our attention to that of the Republicans.Republicans have pushed for polices concerning abortion, cut in social programs, eradication of affirmative action and most of all a tightening of immigration policies. These are truly real concerns of many Americans also after all the last election of November 2004 proved it. Republicans would do anything to achieve their desired ambition. Even if it means indirectly suppressing freedom of expression of both citizens and the press or influencing the political process to tighten the noose around the weakest link of any individual especially as it relates to your livelihood. The interesting aspect of all these is that Republicans are not ashamed to say and write about it. They use television, the likes of Bill O'Railey and Rush Limbo, public political forum, a church leader in the person of Dr. Jerry Falwell and the prints crossing gender lines, who else but the Queen of ignorance Anne Coulter. These fore front, core Republicans have bluntly and proudly made statements that are not only discriminatory but undermine the values and goodwill of the average American. Even presidents play these games as did (God bless his soul) Ronald Reagan in 1988 "The masquerade is over; it's time to ... use the dreaded 'L' word, to say the policies of our opposition ... are liberal, liberal, and liberal."

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But how does this affect the Average African immigrant that takes sides either with the Republicans of the Democrats. These past election provide an interesting revelation for me as an individual. In America today, Africans take sides according to how it affects their moral values or socio-economic opportunities. However many well placed Africans choose social economic values and vote republican or support republican policies, some low income Africans with strong religious beliefs also go the ways of Republicans. It is more complicated when some Africans choose to have these two combinations; socio-economic and religion. Well these inclinations are not so far from that of the average White, Black or Asian American.

For many Africans with Republican mentality, being a democrat is supporting the evil of this society, encouraging people to continue to be lazy especially Black Americans and supporting the carelessness of young mothers on welfare. "How can I continue to pay my hard earned money to people who are not willing to work?" Well, that's a genuine concern. But remember, your security is just as insecure in this society and the welfare system may be your last call. Some Africans may even call you a Liberal minded person with lack of understanding as to how the system works. Interesting, the academic African teach on! The argument becomes even more daunting when topics like African Americans and crime, or abortion. From my understanding, pro abortion advocates would not support abortion if we lived in a perfect world. But you can not deny the imperfection of our society and the traumas that come with it.like a pregnant mother with a life and death situation or a young girl that was raped either by a stranger or a family member.

On the African American issue, this article does not have the answer but can explore some suggestions. The mental state of mind is a thing that makes or breaks a person. When your ability to define yourself and justify your confidence is undermined, you automatically start doubting your self worth no matter how good you think you are. For many Africans with opportunities in corporate America, in the post secondary institutions and government there is a tale or two to tell. If with all of our established upbringing with the encouragement of parents and teachers that we can be what we want, yet we get intimidated by the system the African American person must be our psychologist. Without acting as a social justice preacher, we need to appreciate the determination of the Black person in America. Racism is synonymous with ill health especially mental ill health. You probably won't notice when depression, suicide or even going back home starts building up at the back of your mind. Indirectly inviting Prozac..Yeah, you know what I am talking about right.

Finally, both the Republican and the Democratic parties have their pros and cons.but which one favors us more as immigrant and minorities is the question. How does this affect our low income African families? The security of the welfare system, social security, but most of all Medicaid and Medicare is PRICELESS. Think about it, you may see yourself in this class someday.