Race-baiting remarks in political discourse did not begin with the election of President Obama in 2008. They have been present for a long time, and mostly from Republicans.
 
The 2012 election is no different. In recent months, we’ve seen the candidates call the President a “food stamp president,” imply that the African-American community doesn’t want paychecks, and accuse Mr. Obama of wanting to create an “entitlement society.”
 
Jackie Robinson once said, "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... all I ask is that you respect me as a human being." It’s okay for the candidates to disagree with the President or his policies. What has no place in this, or any election, is the disrespectful manner in which the GOP has talked about minority groups, and the shameful way they have set back race relations in this country.
 
February is Black History Month. It’s not just a time to honor the brave men and women of African-American descent who have contributed to American history and culture, but also a time set aside to celebrate the strides we have made over race relations in this country. The recent rhetoric by the GOP is an example of how much more work we have to do to truly be “one nation…. indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”