The Republican National Committee has elected Michael Steele to be its new Chairman.  Steele was formerly the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland during the administration of Governor Robert Ehrlich, a position which at the time was the highest office held by an African-American Republican in the country.  The selection for the head RNC post demonstrates a marked new direction towards diversity for the GOP, which until now had only chosen white male Chairmen to lead the Committee.

However the Republican party still obviously has a long way to go to honestly represent the enormous variety of backgrounds and creeds in this country.  Currently the only non-lilly white Republican members of Congress are Cuban-American Representatives Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, both from South Florida (there are currently zero African American members).But regardless, this move by the GOP is undoubtedly a good thing for advancing diversity in America.  Always siding with the same political party is a good recipe for being taken for granted sooner or later.  While I doubt many African-Americans will buy what Michael Steele is selling as RNC Chair, it’s good to know at least the party is at least trying, finally, to make the sale.

You can takepart in advancing the interests of African-American in the United States by checking out the NAACP.

LINKS:

Baltimore Sun: Steele elected to lead Republican party

AJC: Congratulations, Chairman Michael Steele

Fox News: Michael Steele: The Republican Party Does the Right Thing