Dear Readers: I am in lovely San Juan Capistrano today, having been invited to do a presentation of managing media effectively as a citizen activist at a strategy meeting for the California Tea Party Groups, as I am the Media Director of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition. One of the main objects of my talk was to help our volunteers get over their fear of being insulted (especially in the comments section of news websites). As my dear friend Word Warrior might put it: If you ‘re taking flack, you’re over the target”.
Another guest, whom I was thrilled to meet, was Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder of B.O.N.D. and the South Central LA Tea Party. He was also discussing a similar concept with these activists: Having courage in the face of false charges of “racism” bandied about by our opponents.
After the conclusion of the Reverend’s uplifting, energizing, unifying chat, an event occurred that underscored the importance of new media and standing strong against the false charges of racism. Our “Tea Party” was crashed by “Public Enemy”.
Meet three of Tea Party’s opponents:
- BUNKY BOX
- And REGGIE DONALD (Who was so brave that didn’t want his picture with his “WHITE POWER” sign taken, when I specifically asked to get a picture).
They caused a disturbance just as Rev. Jesse was wrapping up his chat. The three dragged in bags of hoods, Confederate flags, and racist signs into our conference center room. They were trying to, as Reggie put it “distribute them because we want to give you want you need.”
Very tired, very uninspired. But a great example of the crap that Rev. Petersen said he routinely has to handle.
This three “heroes” are good example of the silly, useless tactics that will no longer undermine citizen efforts to get out our message on fiscal sanity, personal responsibility, and governance based on Constitutional principles.
Needless to say, I went into my “intrepid reporter” mode, grabbed by notebook and camera, and went full media on these three gentleman. The results were most illuminating.
First, I identified myself as a freelance journalist. I asked specifically if I could interview them. I asked them, as I do in these situations, for their names. I think these three thought that we Tea Partiers were culturally inept. For example, one of them decided to use the name of a hip-hop artist instead of identifying who he really was.
Hey Rosco — How can you be proud of a message when you would not be willing to use your real name when presenting it?
Next, I asked if they belonged to a specific group. Reggie hemmed and hawed as he mocked my handwriting several times to distract me (Hey Reggie — I know my handwriting is shitty, but I have a Master’s Degree and my dignity — what do you have???). After asking the same questions several times, I got a vague story of how they got together four years ago, and drove in a van to distribute things.
Hey Reggie — if you can’t explain with pride why you are doing something, then probably you shouldn’t be doing it.
Then the clever one, Rosco, offered that they were from “Public Enemy” (and noted publicenemy.com with Chuck D. as the website).
Guess what Rosco — some of our pop-culture, music-loving members actually recognized that band and has one of their CD’s. Yes, some of our tea party activists are tuned into the black music and entertainment scene!!!
I must say, I actually respected Bunky Box the most. A false name, true. However, he offered the most honest reason why these three young men were in California:
WEATHER, WOMEN, AND WEED.
Bunky — stay true to yourself, run on that platform, and you might become a member of Congress. I know I would vote for you in preference to Maxine Waters if I had a choice.
I asked all three of them how they had happened to come here today. They mumbled something about “Google searching for Tea Party”. For some reason, I sense another lie. I suspect they were wanting to harass Rev. Peterson, whose message resonates with Americans of all races everywhere and who is slowly undoing the stranglehold of victicrat leaders.
One last point: Reggie asked me why I was upset with the “White Power” sign. I told him blatantly that he was a racist.
In fact, I shocked him into silence. He look stunned.
Then, I informed him that I did several news stories that promoted the businesses of black small business owners, and how could Reggie be against a movement that wanted such men to succeed in the free market. I then told him that he knew absolutely nothing about my race, so how dare he presume.
For you see, I don’t have white guilt. My great-grandmother was a Romanian gypsy sold into slavery in a Turkish harem by a black man. My great-grandfather’s brother died in the Civil War, having joined to help abolish slavery. I know who I am, and no insult is going to undermine my beliefs.
But it isn’t my past that holds me strong, but my future. The single most racist statement I ever heard was in Legoland, from the lips of a young black boy. This boy said: “There are too many white people here”.
This was in earshot of my then 5-year old son. It is my grizzly-mother instinct to work for a world that ensures we change things so that a man is judged by the content of his character, per the words of Martin Luther King Jr.
Three thoughtless young hipsters will not stop our efforts. Instead of making themselves larger, they lost some of their souls today and inspired many Californians to fight for a better country.
I suspect this is not the result they expected.
******************************************************************
UPDATE:
A thanks to Mark Meckler for the link: CA Tea Party Coalition Meets “Public Enemy” – It’s Mutteriffic! I would also direct my readers to his post on our event today: More in the “Waning Tea Party” Series – Liveblogging the California Tea Party Coordinators’ Conference in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Believe it or not…we even had protesters outside the event while Rev. Peterson was signing books. There were a few young black people who were trying to hand out white hoods and confederate flags and saying that “you forgot your hoods.” They were carrying signs that said “White Power.” Contrary to their obvious intentions (they came equipped with video equipment), they were unable to create a stir. Instead, they were invited in for lunch, and offered water and sodas. The irony of the contrast between their actions and Rev. Peterson’s message was clearly lost on them.
As a side note: It seems a cameraman was scoping the Conference Center for several hours, checking out for Rev. Peterson’s arrival. If these young men are a small sample of the hostility with which the Reverend has had to deal with over the years, God bless his good work. Rev. Peterson has his work cut out for him.
Thanks for setting the bar on how to respond to the foolishness the left throws at us.
[…] Democratic tea partier. She’s at the CA Tea Party Coalition meeting with me, and she got some great pics and interview with the folks who came to protest our presence. It’s must read stuff…and very amusing. I’d even say it’s […]
You go Leslie! Very sad that these young men don’t even understand what it is that they are against. I wonder which group sent them out to agitate?
Fantastic banter, Goddess!! Makin’ us all proud!
Awesome!! I’m a liberal who supports the Tea Party, and those racist haters are an embarrassment to “my” side. Thanks for setting ’em straight.
Sounds like you had fun!
Great job, Leslie. To quote my Raider nemisis leader Al Davis, “Pride and Poise.”
Thugs should motivate, as they did in your case, rather than intimidate, as they all too often do. We learned that lesson the hard way as youngsters. I am happy to be reminded that you have not forgotten. Racist goons ought to realize that they do their own cause harm, as they are their opposition’s best recruiters. Bravo, Leslie!
Druggie, That’s devoid of thinking. The Tea Party is well above average in education. Tea Party is real, caring folk that you can trust. You are slandering them by implying racism without fact or figure.
Ya, I was there. They placed a confederate flag in my hand. I snapped it in half and stood on their prop. They placed another flag in my hand. I snapped it in half and stood on it. They placed a white hood on my shoulder. I threw it off to stand on it, but ran out of feet. I stood my ground and called them racist as I see no color. People missunderstood that I was confronting them. NOT! I was standing up for my FREEDOM and LIBERTY and GOD!
Wow. You guys are awesome. Breitbart would have been proud.
A link is on the way.
With Facebook’s new facial recognition software – it ought to be easy to find out who these guys are… 🙂
LOL, Hey KT! Imagine meeting you here!
All the cool kids come here!
Hi Leslie!
I was there for the meetup on Saturday when those guys showed up. I captured a little bit of what was going on on my phone. You were in part of it and I wanted to put some of that footage into a documentary I’m making about grassroots Conservative movements. I’m looking for backers but I need a release from you to help my cause. You were great! Can you shoot me an email at sfhsnewspaper@yahoo.com if you get a chance? Thanks so much!
Tom Griffin.
Leslie,
Great job getting the word out. I was out side smoking when these guys showed up.
Some of the finest men Ive ever had the privilege to call “brother” during my time in service were Black. This filth isnt fit to lick the mud off those men’s boots.
Good Job, Hun.
Awesome report – and a testament to the power of Tea Party! Breitbart LIVES!!
thank you Leslie for your presense at the TP conference. You are awesome. I wish the young men would have joined us for sandwichs and waters so they could have seen we are fighting for ALL Americans..not just a select few.
Linked again.
the guy with the wild hair is named eric andre, he’s a stand up comic, pretty sure thats why he showed up….why wasnt his real name mentioned anywhere in this article?
This was actually more of a joke for the eric andre show. I thought it was pretty funny actually.
[…] It was crashed by 3 young African American men, who proceeded to mock Peterson and our group. […]
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