When Representative Thomas Petri (R-Wisconsin) testified Friday, July
25, 1997, in front of a House subcommittee studying the multiracial
category, he deliberately perpetrated mass "identicide" upon millions of
multiracials across America. In a lone and despicable act of betrayal,
Petri stated the following:
There sat a proud-but-helpless Susan Graham, Executive Director of
Project RACE, watching in stunned silence as Petri, the former sponsor
of H.R. 830, sacrificed our cause for an unspoken political agenda.
There sat a noble and courageous Charles Byrd, editor/publisher of
"Interracial Voice," shaking his head in disbelief as the man he had
promoted on his "IV" website stabbed us over and over again.
There sat a dedicated and insightful Valerie Wilkins-Godbee, A Place For
Us spokesperson, eyewitnessing an incredibly ruthless and insensitive
act by a fundamentally unprincipled politician.
And to make matters worse, Petri's rush to concession was apparently
unprovoked. Because among those testifying was the Democratic
representative from Michigan, John Conyers, Jr., who in his written
testimony had offered the following compromise:
Now where does this leave the rest of us? Well, we still have the
public forum being provided at the Multiracial Solidarity Rally in
California on August 9, 1997. This event is sponsored by A Place For
Us, and detailed information is available here at "Interracial Voice."
Certainly, the multiracial community should make it known, then and
there, that we want a distinct multiracial category, along with the
ability to "mark all that apply."
Also, there is the possibility of a massive write-in campaign to the
Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and Technology,
which is part of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Try
writing directly to the subcommittee chair, Representative Stephen Horn.
Demand a distinct multiracial category with sub-identifiers (mark all
that apply). "CC" as many committee members as you like. A list of
the full committee membership is provided below. Definitely "CC" any
representatives from your home state.
In conclusion, I hope and pray that others in the movement will seize
Rep. Conyers' original offer as a means of reopening this debate. Given
Rep. Petri's "flight to avoid persecution," it would also be wise to
approach the Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, to see if he will take
over as the principal sponsor of an updated version of H.R. 830. (To
his credit, Mr. Gingrich unequivocally defended our multiracial category
in the written testimony he provided to the subcommittee.)
Lastly, I urge all proponents of the
recently-wounded-and-now-bleeding-profusely H.R. 830 to begin lobbying
for an amended version, one which includes sub-identifiers. This change
can negate our critics' primary objection to a distinct multiracial
identifier -- the fear of losing relevant civil rights data. Without
this change, we are "D.O.P." -- Dead On Proposal.
Address your letters and e-mails to:
Congressman Stephen Horn
E-mail: Steve.Horn@mail.house.gov
Send copies to the following:
Members of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight
Republicans
Dan Burton, Indiana, Chairman
Democrats
Henry A. Waxman, California, Ranking Minority Member
Independent
Bernard Sanders, Vermont
(Consult the Electronic Activist for additional Congressional email addresses.)
"Although I would like to see a separate box on the form for the
multiracial community, counting separately those who have checked more
than one box comes close and, if the OMB follows through, would
accomplish the goals of H.R. 830."
Petri's crudely crafted words cut like a steel shiv deep, deep into the
hearts of all multiracial activists present in the gallery. You could
see the trauma spreading across the faces of each and every one.
"I would like to propose what I believe is a very simple solution for
the OMB -- we should include a 'multiracial' category on the next census
AND within the same question allow people to check all of the racial
categories with which they identify. This way, people who wish to
assert that they are indeed 'multiracial' would be allowed to do so,
while we could continue to keep careful track of the racial makeup of
our nation."
Ironically, Rep. Conyers stumbled upon the exact compromise many of us
within the multiracial movement have been promoting emphatically for
months -- a multiracial category with sub-identifiers. Unfortunately,
Rep. Petri committed his crime of indifference before Rep. Conyers gave
oral testimony. So by the time it was his turn to speak, Rep. Conyers
realized his written compromise was unnecessary. Therefore, he withdrew
the "simple solution," knowing that Petri had unilaterally conceded
every cubic centimeter of middle ground. In other words, you poker
players out there, Gutless Tom folded our collective hand one betting
round too soon.
Chairman, Subcommittee on Government Management, Information, and
Technology
Committee on Government Reform and Oversight
2157 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-6143
Fax: (202) 226-1012
Phone: (202) 225-6676
Benjamin A. Gilman, New York
J. Dennis Haster, Illinois
Constance A. Morella, Maryland
Christopher Shays, Connecticut
Steven Schiff, New Mexico
Christopher Cox, California
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida
John M. McHugh, New York
Stephen Horn, California
John L. Mica, Florida
Thomas M. Davis III, Virginia
David McIntosh, Indiana
Mark E. Souder, Indiana
Joe Scarborough, Florida
John Shadegg, Arizona
Steve C. LaTourette, Ohio
Marshall "Mark" Sanford, South Carolina
John E. Sununu, New Hampshire
Pete Sessions, Texas
Mike Pappas, New Jersey
Vince Snowbarger, Kansas
Bob Barr, Georgia
Rob Portman, Ohio
Tom Lantos, California
Bob Wise, West Virginia
Major R. Owens, New York
Edolphus Towns, New York
Paul E. Kanjorski, Pennsylvania
Gary A. Condit, California
Carolyn B. Maloney, New York
Thomas M. Barrett, Wisconsin
Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia
Chaka Fattah, Pennsylvania
Elijah E. Cummings, Maryland
Dennis Kucinich, Ohio
Rod R. Blagojevich, Illinois
Danny K. Davis, Illinois
John F. Tierney, Massachusetts
Jim Turner, Texas
Thomas H. Allen, Maine
Harold E. Ford, Jr., Tennessee
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