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April 30, 2009
Out on the Town
Justin Katz
Apparently, there will be strict adherence to the guest list at Mattapalooza tonight at Dave & Buster's in Providence, but I'll be there and will likely check in from time to time. (Not knowing what's in store, I don't want to promise liveblogging, per se.)
I'm also hoping to make it to the RIGOP Black Caucus kick-off at Tazza Cafe, but family-related scheduling may intervene. As readers know, I'm really not a fan of identity politics — quite the opposite — but the message that it is possible to believe in Republican ideals no matter the color of one's skin, as obvious as that should be, is an important one to make.
1:59 PM
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Matt has some nerve holding Mattapalooza on my birthday.
Posted by: michael at April 30, 2009 3:40 PMI am going to do the reverse of Justin, and go to the RIGOP Black Caucus event first, then try to sneak into Mattapalooza afterward ... or at least get close to it.
As for the idea of identity politics, I tend to agree. However, I think it's pretty natural for people to group together based on any number of factors, some of which are immutable, and some of which are chosen. However, I think that whatever the Republican Party can do to show that its open to different people who share our party's values, is a good thing. The key part is "who share our party's values."
Given the history of the Republican Party's founding, I think it only natural for us to let black people and others know that they're not only welcome, but encouraged to get involved. I also think that the Democratic Party's policies over the years have had a tendency discourage individualism, and to encourage reliance on government. I think the Democratic Party has taken advantage of them long enough, that many are open to alternatives ... even if they aren't ready to make the leap yet.
Posted by: Will at April 30, 2009 5:44 PM