The Howard University College Republicans kicked off day one of their First Annual Economics and Government Symposium Monday night. This five-day look into the dynamics of the Republican party and its relation to the black community, hopes to give the liberal HU campus a glimpse into the other political front.
The event, entitled "Open Forum Discussion: Why Republican?" included a 20-minute video about the evolution of the Republican Party and a panel of its distinguished members who represented a variety of ideologies.
With hopes of dispelling the stereotypes associated with the Grand Old Party (GOP), the panelists spoke on a range of topics, including the need for more blacks to join.
"Neither [party] is doing anything to effect change in the black community," said panelist Republican Jabriel Ballentine.
Ballentine said both parties discount the African-American vote because they think it is already decided, saying Democrats feel no need to cater to blacks because they know they already have their vote, and Republicans assume the black community's allegiance is far beyond their reach.
"If we have people on both sides, they won't discount us," Ballentine said. "If we have people on both sides, in both parties, they will have to fight for our vote."
The party members encourage students to look at politics on a broader scope, dispite the animosity left between the two parties.
Don Scoggins, president of the Republicans for Black Empowerment, said, "Our people should look at politics more like a business because that's what it is. Diversify. The more you diversify, the more options you have."
With the overwhelming number Howard students being non-GOP, rejection can often times follow the few remaining conservative Bison.
Michael Varner, president of the College Republicans, said that when he was promoting the events for the week, people heckled him and questioned how he, as a black man, could be a member of the conservative party.
"I booked this whole place [Blackburn's Digital Auditorium] for three hours and only five people showed up," Varner said. "I think the student body here wants to stay ignorant and upset. I brought you the freakin' chairman of the D.C. Republican Committee, and a variety of other panelists who have lots of insight to offer and nobody even comes."
The chairman Varner referred to is Robert Kabel, who also served as the panel's only Caucasian speaker.
"This being a city with mostly minorities, we have been at the forefront for D.C. voting rights, as well as creating economic opportunities and raising school choice issues in D.C.," Kabel said. "We carry the banner for the urban Republican agenda."
Throughout the event, the panelists tried to defend the party as audience members questioned the traditional practices of the Republican party, and how they directly affect the black community.
The Economics and Government Symposium will continue tonight at 7:30 p.m. by hosting another panel and movie screening with guest panelist Dr. Gregory Carr in the Blackburn Digital Auditorium.
