The Brilliance of the Crispus Attucks Tea Party

On the evening of January 18th, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural meeting of the Crispus Attucks Tea Party of Houston, founded by American Majority’s own Anita MonCrief and other local leaders in the city’s black community, such as Reverend Bowie and Earl Johnson. The meeting was held at “This Is It” restaurant in Sheila Jackson Lee’s district, just down the street from her residence. Humorously, the advent of a tea party organization that seeks to reach out to the voters in her community has come on the scene just as the Congresswoman has been castigated nationally for her less-than-logically-sound comments regarding the supposed unconstitutionality of repealing ObamaCare. The Congresswoman was invited to the meeting, but not surprisingly, the organization’s outreach was declined.

On the goals of this new Tea Party:

Our primary objective is to break the cycles of dependency and decay that continue to anesthetize and hold captive too many Black families and neighborhoods. We provide a continuing series of speakers, seminars, training and practical business support services designed to help Blacks fully assimilate into and be competitive in American society. Our objective is to teach all Americans the fullness of the history of Blacks in America and to help Blacks gain control of their lives and the destiny of their children. Only by understanding our full and true history will we all of America be liberated.

The Crispus Attucks Tea Party is part of America’s rapidly growing Tea Party movement. Starting with Houston’s 3rd Ward, it will focus all of the power amassed across America by the Tea Party movement directly into targeted Black neighborhoods across America. Yes !! .. Our army operates .. “Inside The Belly Of The Beast”. The Crispus Attucks Tea Party is a non-partisan, neighborhood movement. It provides a base of operations for the descendants of Black Slavery who realize that welfare checks and government dependency are key elements of their destruction. The corresponding destructive cycles have destroyed lives, families and their neighborhoods. Government dependency holds Blacks hostage. It precludes true liberty and forever blocks full assimilation. Our mission includes building series of strong neighborhood operating bases made of business people, elected officials, Constituents and Voters, living and working in “hostile areas”.

The Crispus Attucks Tea Party promotes and fights for the founding principles originally defined by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Our core principles include personal responsibility, education, a constrained and transparent government, a balanced budget, self sufficiency, full assimilation and the development of viable Black businesses …. that create jobs.

Sounds like a great starting point, doesn’t it? I was impressed with the objective (more of which can be seen here) upon first reading it – and am thoroughly convinced after having met all of the fantastic people invested in making this new group successful, that we truly can make a difference.

Regarding the meeting, I can honestly say that I can’t recall attending a more moving political gathering – and anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I frequent such events regularly; arguably too much! The crowd was truly diverse – and I mean that on a level much deeper than ethnicity. After all, the theme of the night, in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, was the notion that content and character are more important than color. The truly amazing thing about the audience was the differences in people’s backgrounds and beliefs. Some of us were seasoned activists, there to show our support for the new group. On the other hand, there were also long time liberal Democrats in attendance – Third Ward residents like Marie Johnson, who was actually interviewed by Houston’s local FOX affiliate.

Of the meeting, Ms. Johnson said:

Race didn’t make any difference to me as long as I had a tea party and we get together. Frankly I’m the type of person that’s not afraid to step out of the box. I think black people need to be more concerned about what our politicians are doing for our community, where is our money going and what they are doing with it.

Additionally, there were many open-minded independent voters from various backgrounds. One of the attendees who stood out in my mind was a black man who works as a contractor. He stated to the audience that he came to the meeting because he’s concerned about the lack of business coming his way, and thinks that minority communities need to do a better job of organizing to attract more investment in their neighborhoods. A point extremely well taken – and one that Anita MonCrief eloquently explained is exactly in line with the goals of the Crispus Attucks Tea Party, as one of the organization’s missions is helping minority business owners attract capital and restore prosperity to their communities.

Speaking of Ms. MonCrief, her speech was truly the moment that brought the night full circle. She was justifiably emotional about the new Tea Party she worked extremely hard to make a reality. Nearly in tears, and bringing many members of the audience to the same point, Anita recalled her childhood in Birmingham, Alabama, describing the racially mixed neighborhood she’s from, and the fact that people where she grew up were intent on helping those in their community, regardless of ethnic background. She then went on to discuss her time with ACORN, and how she came to realize that an organization she truly thought meant well shamelessly exploited minorities for money, power and prestige.

I’ve heard Anita speak on numerous occasions, but never have I seen her so emotionally invested in her story. It’s extremely clear that through the Crispus Attucks Tea Party, she intends to do exactly what she thought she’d be able to accomplish through ACORN – educate minority communities in desperate need of substantive change, and offer compassion, guidance and locally based aid to those truly deserving of it. I’m proud to count a woman of Anita’s caliber as a colleague and friend. It takes courage to do what she’s done in a relatively short period of time. It seems that everywhere Anita goes, she manages to meet and the influence conservative leaders who have already been making a difference in their communities.

Anita’s connections speak to the other incredible leaders she helped pull into the organization. The speech made by Earl Johnson, a longtime black conservative tea party activist was truly inspiring as well. He’s a man with a powerful presence who doesn’t mince words and is far from politically correct, yet manages to have friends from across the political spectrum. The most memorable part of his talk was when he described the once prosperous black neighborhood of Sugar Hill, now known as the Third Ward. Mr. Johnson said, “Sugar Hill was the most prominent part of Houston; that is, until social justice programs were applied”. And he’s correct. You can see the remnants of that success by observing the beautiful old houses that line the outskirts of what has become a defunct, government dependent community. It’s truly tragic – but I’m optimistic that with outreach efforts, education and dedication from well-meaning activists of all backgrounds, we can help change that.

In fact, we’ve already had a taste of how powerful black conservatives have made waves here in Texas. One of the night’s speakers was newly elected Representative James White, who now resides in east Texas, but grew up in Sugar Hill. A truly inspiring man, it’s easy to tell that Rep. White is motivated by his deep convictions, and desire to make Texas a better state. He spoke from the heart about what it took to get elected in what historically, is a part of the south infamous for KKK activity. It was amazing to hear him discuss how it’s evident that a great deal of progress has been made, and that he was elected for exactly the reason MLK would have wanted. The content of his character prevailed – and that’s what brought him to victory.

As Representative White boldly said, “When you have a country to save, nothing else matters. You step out on faith”. That’s what the Crispus Attucks Tea Party is all about – and I’m honored to be a part of it.


Corie Whalen