Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Uncle Tom? or McCain Supporter?

Last week, James T. Harris went from being an average guy to one of the most reviled men in Black America. At a Waukesha, Wisconsin, town hall rally with Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin on Thursday, the African-American radio host from Milwaukee pleaded with McCain to step up his attacks against Barack Obama. “We have the good Reverend Wright. We have [the Reverend Michael L.] Pfleger,” Harris said to the cheers of thousands of White audience members. “I am begging you, sir. I am begging you. Take it to him.” In a show of true solidarity, Harris, 44, and the Republican nominee then hugged.

As this moment spread throughout the media, many African-Americans likened his impassioned remarks to racial betrayal and subservient shuffling. Theories circulated that Harris was a plant for the McCain campaign. ESSENCE.com talked with Harris, who describes his political beliefs as being “right of Rush,” about how he ended up at the town hall, receiving hate mail, and how he really feels about that hug with John McCain.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I don't think it's being Uncle Tom....He's just a black republican..... Something we don't really see......