Diversity: a GOP label?

While I share Bob Geary's surprise at and support of the recent PR from NC Democratic headquarters in response to Rep. Renee Ellmer's health care vote and statements, how about a response to the N&O's top political reporter calling the GOP's incoming members "diverse?" Where was the prompt response to such a ludicrous story?

Just for the record:

There were 6 women elected to the new NC Senate out of 50 Senators. Half of these (3) are Democrats and half (3) are Republicans. No NC Women's Political Caucus endorsed candidate was elected. The Senate now has a "veto proof" majority of Republicans (31) of whom only 3 are women, and none of whom are African American.

To their credit the GOP leaders have appointed both returning women Senators, Clary and Preston, to leadership roles. More on that later.

There are 7 African Americans in the Senate this session, including just one woman,Sen. Gladys Robinson, who filled the position previously held by another AA female, Katie Dorsett, who did not seek reelection.

All the other African American Senators are males.

MARTHA BROCK

----- Forwarded Message ----

To: Martha Brock
Sent: Mon, January 24, 2011 11:29:00 AM
Subject: RE: "GOP Ranks are diverse"

from a female member of the NC Senate re: Rob Christensen's story on GOP "Diversity:"

All White, All Men, All the Time!

________________________________

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Martha Brock
To: Rob Christensen
Cc: John Drescher ; Steve Ford ; Michelle Houck ; Rep. Deborah Ross ; Rep. Rosa Gill ; Leigh Rose
Sent: Mon, January 24, 2011
Subject: "GOP Ranks are diverse"

Rob: I was struck by the quote, "There are cleavages of a variety of different dimensions," said Andy Taylor, an N.C. State University political scientist. "They cut across ideological and generational lines."

Read " title="Diversity by Christensen">more:

I suppose in the view of someone like a Locke Foundation financed professor, Andy Taylor, or another white male like yourself, diversity might be in the picture at the NC General Assembly.

For me, it's hard to understand how the N&O has not noticed the low percentages of women in the NCGA this many years after feminism first came on the scene.

Even more astonishing, is that you could use the word "diversity" in a headline in Raleigh at this moment in time without consideration of the fact that of all those new Senators and Representatives, there is not a single new Black Republican.

Look at the Demographics: can you really call this white male dominated NCGA 'diverse?" Just wondering.

MARTHA BROCK