Project 21: Press Releases

Washington, D.C.: - The following are comments by members of the Project 21 black conservative leadership network on the signing of health care legislation by President Obama yesterday and on continuing accusations of racism by Tea Party activists protesting the bill: "Saying that health care is a civil right is as paternalistic as it is just plain wrong, and is just one more example of liberal nanny-state politics.  Forcing Obamacare down our throats is going to come back to bite many lawmakers.  The American people are not going to stand for this." - Project 21 Member Darryn "Dutch" Martin  "I ...
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Washington, D.C.: Black conservatives opposed to government-run health care routinely are called the "n-word" and worse -- by liberals, says Deneen Borelli, full-time Fellow with the Project 21 black leadership network. To black lawmakers allegedly receiving the same treatment, Borelli said: "Welcome to my world! I've been called worse than the N-word by alleged enlightened liberals for the outrage of expressing my views on topics such as the threat of government overreach on things such as ObamaCare, climate change legislation, the Second Amendment and pro-growth economics." "It should go without saying that racial slurs are offensive and uncalled for," added ...
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Washington, D.C.: Mychal Massie, chairman of the Project 21 black leadership network, is critical of the premise of talk show host Tavis Smiley's upcoming March 20 conference that seeks to set a "black agenda" for America. "What is a black agenda?" asks Project 21's Massie. "Jobs, retirement income, education, cost of living, crime and so on are not black American issues. They are American issues. It's not predicated on race and color. So why is Tavis Smiley seeking to divide us when Americans should be coming together?" Tavis Smiley, a PBS host, is set to hold a conference at Chicago ...
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Washington, D.C.:  Members of the Project 21 black leadership network are commenting on the announcement by Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) that he will at least temporarily step down from his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee. Bishop Council Nedd II:  "If even just for now, Rangel stepping aside will help restore some public confidence in the idea that Congress can police itself.  The question remains why it took so long to do the right thing.  Rangel should actually resign from Congress entirely.  It's been clear thus far that he hasn't had an appreciation of the gravity of his ...
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Washington, D.C.:  Mychal Massie, chairman of the Project 21 black leadership network, is condemning President Barack Obama for urging Senate leaders to employ controversial reconciliation rules to force a government takeover of health care. "The people have spoken, and they have said no to Obama's radical brand of health care reform," said Project 21's Massie.  "Putting his seal of approval on usurping regular Senate procedure showcases not just an extraordinary arrogance and a willingness to abuse legislative power, but it also unambiguously indicates his contempt and disregard for the will of the American people." In an address from the White ...
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Washington, D.C.:  Members of the Project 21 black leadership network are speaking out about the congressional "public admonishment" of U.S. Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY), the chairman of the powerful tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, for going on trips to the Caribbean paid for by corporate sources in violation of House rules. Bishop Council Nedd II: "Contrary to what Charles Rangel believes, common sense dictates that adults, and elected representatives of the people in particular, need to be held responsible for their actions.  Has Rangel completely lost touch with the real world?  I have never been on a trip and ...
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Washington, D.C.:  The NAACP’s decision to bestow an Image Award on radical activist and former Obama Administration official Van Jones is drawing a stern rebuke from Mychal Massie, chairman of the Project 21 black leadership network. "I understand that it's their award and the NAACP can give it to whomever they want," said Project 21's Massie.  "But an Image Award is supposed to be reserved for 'outstanding achievement.'  Can they really justify Jones' failed tenure in government and his continued wrong-headed views for such an honor?  At this rate, I expect next year's ceremony will honor Lil' Wayne." Jones, a ...
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As Black History Month draws to a close, the web site The Root has chosen to publish a hateful article that demeans black conservatives solely for their political views -- grouping them with brutal dictators, convicted criminals and self-centered celebrities.  This has drawn a stinging rebuke from Project 21 member Bob Parks. "It doesn't take much for liberals to call black conservatives 'self-hating,'" noted Parks, "but what is it called when someone decides that blacks deemed inappropriate should be wholly removed from history?  What kind of egos are we talking about here?" The Root is operated by The Washington Post.  ...
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Washington, DC: Proposed soda taxes fall flat, according to Deneen Borelli, a fellow with the Project 21 black leadership network, who says the demonization of carbonated beverages is just another example of the progressive attack on liberty. "After the Obama Administration tried to put itself between me and my doctor with its health care plan, the White House - along with Governor David Paterson and Mayor Gavin Newsom - now want to come between me and my can of soda," said Borelli. "Raising taxes during hard economic times is a horrible idea and it's doomed to failure," added Borelli.  "Elected ...
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Washington, DC: Members of the Project 21 black leadership network are speaking out in support of Focus on the Family and the family of former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow for their efforts to air a pro-family commercial message during this weekend's Super Bowl broadcast. Project 21 members are also praising the CBS television network for not giving in to pressure to not air the ad. Lisa Fritsch: "Tim Tebow is one famous example of the countless children born in the face of challenging circumstances.  These children deserve a voice and a right to life just like so many who ...
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Washington, DC - Bob Parks, a member of the Project 21 black leadership network, questions the sensibilities of MSNBC talking head Chris Matthews after Matthews made yet another racially-charged comment on the air last night. After last night's State of the Union Address, Matthews said about President Obama's performance: "You know, I forgot he was black tonight for an hour."  Trying to explain this "epiphany" later with fellow MSNBC talking head Rachel Maddow, Matthews said he was "proud" he made the statement. Parks said: "Chris goes on and on about President Obama being 'post-racial,' and then admits that he 'forgot ...
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Washington, DC - In anticipation of President Barack Obama's first State of the Union Address, members of the Project 21 black leadership network are offering their thoughts on his first year in office and the strength of the nation. Bob Parks: "During the last few months, President Obama has arrogantly broken one campaign pledge after another. Even after the "Massachusetts Miracle," when his fellow liberals began to act as if they were moving to the center if only for purposes of political preservation, Obama continued his narcissistic approach to governing. "When Representative Marion Berry (D-AR) was said to have warned ...
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Washington, DC: As they did with Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL), members of the Project 21 black leadership network are taking MSNBC talking head Keith Olbermann to task for his wrong-headed and offensive behavior in equating the free speech victory in the Supreme Court case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to the infamous Dred Scott case. The ruling in yesterday's Citizens United decision eases certain restrictions on the free speech rights of businesses, associations, organized labor and certain advocacy groups with regard to their participation in political campaigns.  During a tirade on his "Countdown" program on MSNBC on January ...
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Washington, DC:An "environmental justice" public relations tour of economically-disadvantaged communities being led by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and members of the Congressional Black Caucus is being criticized by Project 21 Fellow Deneen Borelli as a desperate attempt to play the "race card" to bolster the Obama Administration's "cap-and-trade" emissions proposal. Borelli contends energy limits, such as those in the Waxman/Markey bill approved by the U.S. House last year, would devastate the communities the EPA-CBC tour is highlighting as in need of help. The tour begins today in Greenville, Mississippi and will stop in Maryland, South Carolina and Georgia. CBC ...
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Washington, DC - Members of the Project 21 black leadership group are condemning remarks today by Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) comparing today's Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to the Dred Scott case. The decision in Citizens United eases certain restrictions on the free speech of businesses, associations, organized labor and certain advocacy groups with regard to their participation in political campaigns.  In response, Grayson said: "This is the worst Supreme Court decision since the Dred Scott case." In the 1857 Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court ruled that black Americans who were either slaves or ...
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Washington, DC: Black conservatives affiliated with the Project 21 leadership network are speaking out about the stunning victory of Republican state senator Scott Brown over Democrat state attorney general Martha Coakley in Massachusetts. Kevin L. Martin:  "Scott Brown's victory in the bluest of traditionally blue states can only be viewed as a complete loss of confidence in the policies of the Obama White House and its allies in Congress.  People have tasted the fruits of a government dominated by liberal ideologues and they've not found it to their liking.  What remains to be seen is if this repudiation has been ...
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Washington, DC: As people honor the values and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., members of the Project 21 black leadership network are also taking this time to commend the American people for their quick and generous acts of charity after last week's devastating earthquake in Haiti. Deneen Borelli (Project 21 Fellow): "As we remember Dr. King, it is heartwarming to see how the American people have come together to help those in need. As they always do, average Americans of all races, classes and backgrounds opened their wallets and asked what they could do to help long before ...
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On the January 5 edition of his MSNBC program "Hardball," Chris Matthews claimed that everyone participating in tea party rallies such as the one held in Washington, D.C. on September 12, 2009 were white. In a discussion with Mark McKinnon of the Daily Beast and Susan Page of USA Today, Matthews said: "And they're monochromatic, right?...  Meaning they're all white.  All of them -- every single one of them -- is white." Members of the Project 21 black leadership network disagree.  They were there. Bob Parks, a Project 21 member from Virginia, said: "Here's a news flash for Chris Matthews.  ...
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Statement of Project 21 Fellow Deneen Borelli on Congressional Research Service ACORN report requested by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), which absolves ACORN of allegations of misusing taxpayer money received over the past five years: "Anyone who saw the video of undercover filmmakers being advised by several different ACORN offices on how to break tax laws and set up brothels can figure that taxpayer money is likely being misspent somewhere by this radical group. Representative Conyers' refusal to conduct an investigation of ACORN, and ignoring the pleas of his colleagues in the process, is appalling. "Now, it seems as if he ...
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