I am a black Republican (have been from birth) and it is so nice to read Walter Backstrom’s article knowing that he understands what a black Republican goes through, especially the ones who go public.

I read his other article about what the white Republicans were thinking when there is a black Democratic presidential candidate running and the Republican Party shows little to no visible representation of black Republican supporters. This also is true in the Washington state elections.

I have tried to educate some of the leaders of the Republican Party on the importance of more minorities’ visibility in the elections and at all Republican events. As Backstrom may have notice, it was very noticeable in all the elections, federal and local, that blacks and other minorities were not featured. That is a shame.

I feel we lost elections because the Republican Party allows the non-Republicans to convince people that Republicans are racist.

I know so well the burden a black Republican has to bear, but we must keep doing what we must do to stay on message. It is good to know Mr. Backstrom is out there and that I am not alone. He knows the pain.

We (black Republicans) might have to come together as a group to help Republicans win election.

Mary Radcliffe