(NNPA)—Some will notice that the title of this column comes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” when he challenged the war then being waged in the name of global anti-Communism that conflicted with fighting the evils of racism, militarism and materialism at home.

These evils still rage today. Racism still presides over the attitudes and actions of many who shoot unarmed Blacks before bringing them to justice, or spit on Black congressmen, calling them the “N-word.” Militarism is still regarded as the ultimate tool by which we regain our revenge and global standing in Afghanistan, and materialism causes many of us not to care about those less fortunate who are growing by the minute in the wake of an economic disaster.

With so much news coverage surrounding the heated rhetoric coming from the Tea Party, I thought it would be instructive to dissect their anger to see if we can come away with some understanding of their issues.

But let’s be clear on something. Tea Party members are aligned with the Republican Party—no matter what both sides say. Name me one Tea Partier that is supporting a Democrat or the president’s agenda. This is part of the perception problem each group is having—the public doesn’t distinguish one from the other. Furthermore, both group’s rhetoric is so similar so as to make the public think they are Siamese twins.

(NNPA)—In the end in the United States, as evidenced by the furor over passing of the Health Reform Bill, it always leads back to race. Those American Tea Party protesters who screamed racial epithets at Black members of Congress and who waved signs whining that “Obama Plans White Slavery,” once again illustrated that those who exult over a “post-racial” America are, to put it mildly, living in some kind of fantasyland.

by Shannon Williams

I always say that there’s a basic level of respect that everyone deserves.

This doesn’t mean that we have to be overly friendly or fake to someone, but it does mean that the most simplistic form of courtesy should be extended to an individual.

President Barack Obama has not received the basic level of respect he deserves from some Americans, nor have members of Congress. It seems that the individuals who publicly berate our president and other elected officials are members of the “Tea Party” movement.