Tea party supporters who are standing around and waiting on an apology from Congressman Andre Carson might as well sit down and sip some tea; an apology is not coming.
Carson, who represents most of Indianapolis in the U.S. House and is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, suggested last week that some members of the tea party movement, including some of its supports in Congress, are actually racists.
Video of Carson’s comments, delivered at a CBC event in Miami on Aug. 22, was circulated this week on “The Blaze” Internet operated by conservative commentator Glenn Beck.
“This is the effort that we’re seeing of Jim Crow. Some of these folks in Congress right now would love to see us as second-class citizens,” Carson. “Some of them in Congress right now of this tea party movement would love to see you and me … hanging on a tree.”
The video clip was edited and those comments were the strongest of Carson’s speech, but his remarks about the tea party drew sharp criticism from those demanding that he apologize.
Carson, however, has said that he will “stand on the truth” of his comments.
In a statement, he added that he “was very passionate in my language, and perhaps if I had to do it over, that analogy wouldn’t have been used because I would have known it would have been a distraction.”
Earlier, a spokesman for Carson said he might have chosen different words to use, but would not take back his message.
Spokesman Jason Tomsci explained that Carson’s comments simply reflected the frustration felt by many in Miami and in his home district in Indianapolis regarding Congress’ inability to bolster the economy.
“The Tea Party is protecting its millionaire and oil company friends while gutting critical services that they know protect the livelihood of African-Americans, as well as Latinos and other disadvantaged minorities,” Tomsci said. “We are talking about child nutrition, job creation, job training, housing assistance, and Head Start, and that is just the beginning. A child without basic nutrition, secure housing, and quality education has no real chance at a meaningful and productive life.”
Tomcsi added that, “yes, the congressman used strong language because the Tea Party agenda jeopardizes our most vulnerable and leaves them without the ability to improve their economic standing.”
On Thursday afternoon, Carson’s statement was up for discussion on the popular Afternoons with Amos radio program on WTLC-AM (1310).
Most of the citizens who called into the show were supportive of Carson, while others criticized him for being divisive.
One caller recalled how Carson and a few other Democratic congressmen were attacked by tea party supporters in March 2010, during the intense debate about President Barack Obama’s national health care proposal. The protestors allegedly heckled and spit on Carson.
The called asked, “If they spit on him, then why should he apologize to them.”
