African American
Related: About this forumI'm not excited to post this, but it *IS* a notable first...
Utahs Rep. Mia Love takes spot in historyWashington Utahs Mia Love raised her right hand in the House chamber Tuesday to take the oath of office and enter the history books as the first black female Republican member of Congress.
"Im in awe," she said earlier as she greeted waves of well-wishers in her new office, now sporting the official Representative Mia B. Love sign. "Im just taking it all in and enjoying it. Ive decided Im not stressing today."
Love, who is also the first Haitian-American in Congress, got the star treatment on her first day as Utahs newest representative: Rep. Paul Ryan, the former GOP vice presidential candidate, escorted her to the House chamber, Speaker John Boehner kissed her on the cheek and Majority Whip Steve Scalise brought her a gift.
"For everybody who did so much to work on this campaign, thank you so much for bringing this budding star to Congress," Ryan told a crowd of supporters huddled in Loves office. "Were so proud of her; were so thrilled for her; and we cant wait to see what shes going to do."
Love, 39, won her second bid for the 4th Congressional District in November after Utahs only Democrat, Rep. Jim Matheson, opted against running for re-election. With Love, Utah now has an entirely Republican delegation.
Reps. Rob Bishop, Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart were sworn in again Tuesday.
Love, though, stole the spotlight. A line of folks stretched out of her office, each hoping for a photo with the new congresswoman. Loves family, including her parents, who flew in from Connecticut, held court in the packed space.
Her father, who immigrated to America from Haiti, didnt stop smiling.
"This is a country of hope and opportunity," Maxime Bordeau said. "This is America."
http://www.sltrib.com/news/2026676-155/utahs-rep-mia-love-takes-spot
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)being a female Republican member of Congress. Not to mention being Black. It's as if she has not been paying any attention to the Republican part for the past decade or so.
On the other hand, many years ago I knew a Black man who'd come to this country from Barbados, and he was constantly puzzled by the behavior of the American born Blacks he came across.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)SheilaT
(23,156 posts)To be honest, I know almost nothing about her.
But to raise the question once again, what in the world is a Black woman doing as a Republican? Or as a fundie? What ever happened to the idea of thinking for oneself?
I know. Fundamentalists absolutely don't think for themselves. They simply swallow the fundamentalist line, and quake in fear at an independent thought ever raising its head.
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)about religion when it comes to the GOP.
The crazy fundie viewpoints of Ted Cruz, the media avoids that like the plague.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)I can be nice for a day.
ellenrr
(3,864 posts)and Mia Love - maybe she has decided that the Republican Party meets her interests, her values.
Maybe she wants to become a political player and in her opinion the Rep. party is the best path.
She doesn't sound to me (not that I know a lot about her either) like someone who is not thinking for herself.
bravenak
(34,648 posts)I think she may be Mormon too, something to consider. Her family looked so proud. I'll giv her a few days to settle in and say some crazy stuff. I have met plenty if black people like her.