Gary Franks: Black Conservatives Held to Double Standard

NEW YORK, NY, August 23, 2012 (Press-News.org) They refer to the current period in the American political cycle as the "silly season," but in some cases politics can go well past the point of "silliness" and become downright ugly. One example comes from a recent campaign ad, run against conservative Florida Congressman Allen West. The ad shows the Congressman punching a pair of women in the face, and has been met with considerable controversy. In an appearance on Fox News, Congressman West expressed his belief in a "double standard" for black conservatives--a sentiment that has won support from former Connecticut Congressman Gary Franks.

Gary Franks is no stranger to the unique position into which black conservatives are often placed. When he was elected to Congress in 1990, Franks made history for being the first black Republican elected in nearly six decades. Additionally, Franks was the first black person elected from an overwhelmingly white district, where the black electorate totaled only 4 percent of the district's total.

Gary Franks, who was elected to Congress three times, has issued a new press statement in support of Congressman West. "Candidates and elected officials being depicted hitting folks in a commercial is a new low for political ads," says Franks, sharply condemning the controversial ad at the heart of the current debate. "Congressman West, who like me is a black conservative who has had the privilege of serving in Congress, does not deserve such an attack. In fact, no one does."

Franks continues by agreeing with Congressman West that a double standard is in play. "The ad shows Rep. West hitting two white women, one old and one young," explains Franks. "If it were in the reverse and a white man were hitting two black women, the ad would be forced off the air or would have never been allowed to run in the first place, and rightfully so."

The rhetoric used by Gary Franks mirrors the remarks made by Congressman West in the Fox News interview, where he asked the anchors to imagine "if the Republican Party or a conservative PAC ran a picture of a black Democratic politician or congressman punching white women and white seniors."

Congressman West went on to suggest that left-leaning activists and political operatives have declared an "open season" on black conservatives.

ABOUT:

Gary Franks made history when he was elected to Congress in 1990 from the State of Connecticut. He was the first black person ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from an overwhelmingly white district, where the black population totaled only 4 percent. Mr. Franks was the first black Republican elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in nearly six decades. Perhaps even more significantly, he was the first black conservative ever elected to Congress, and the first and only Republican voting member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. Franks was elected three times (1991-1997), and during his years in Congress served on the Commerce Committee, Armed Services Committee, and Small Business Committee, among other prestigious appointments.