Republican Party Chairman Speaks at Philander Smith

He's the first African American to serve as the chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Monday night, Michael Steele spoke to students at Philander Smith College. 

It was a warm welcome for former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele at Bless the Mic.

In January Steele was elected as the first African American to chair the republican party. He told students the world today is much different than the one he grew up in.

Steele says, "Segregation, bussing, civil rights, civil rights marches, cross burnings lynchings, not so much a part of your daily intake of news and information."

But Steele says racism still exists in more subtle ways, the job not offered, the loan not approved. And he faults his own political party as part of the problem.

Steele says, "Democrats have left African American lurching from one election to the next on the promise that this time their agenda will be addressed. But like wise republicans haven't been that sharp either. We've not walked that walk as well as we've talked the talk in making sure we're working for and with the community."

Some came to Monday night's speech hoping to hear something out of the ordinary from the republican leader.

Republican Tracey Well says, why she cam, "To hear the republican national chairman say something practical besides demogogging(sp) the democrats. I need to hear something besides criticism, practical solutions to a practical, a realistic world."

In the end, Steele challenged the students to help finish the changes started in the last 50 years.

Steele says, "As much progress as we have made, African Americans have still not become full partners in America. It is your opportunity to help create that partnership and strengthen it.

Steele said the hardest thing he had to do in life, was to tell his die-hard Democrat mother about his decision to become a Republican.

Steele was also the first African American elected to a statewide office in Maryland when he took office as the state's Lt. Governor in 2003.