one thing, the often there is this political or censorship of political view a -- [inaudible] worries me a lot, too. i wonder if you have to which input without about the challenges to get to where you want to go, what you want to know? the reality is for all forces you describe in your question over the last decade people's lives are becoming larger, more diverse, more diverse demand tended isn't to the system to figure out how to accommodate them because they cannot be put into the box. it is the thing to be watching, who among the leadership will figure out first that if they want to remain in the position they have that they will and must figure out how to adapt. we are out of time.

[applause] >> opening line of your book backlash. one of the first links that comes up when you google my name is an article entitled the black tea bagging. quite an opening line. >> this is as a result of me being a clak conservative. someone who is an independent thinker. >> when you google your name, when you see that, what do you think? >> i think my message is getting out there. when people attack you, they try

to shut down, discredit you by calling you names, and that is something that is not going to stop me from delivering my message. again, i'm able to tell my story backlash to really being an activist for liberty. i also think my book is a great tool for people to have conversations with individuals in terms of what you can do to play a role in terms of government that has gone wild in our country. >> where do you come up with the name? >> i was just trying to b dlefer -- be clever and creative. the game is very synonomous because people are curious. it brings them in and what the book is about. >> most negative comments come from afteramericans -- african

americans or black people? >> i think black people. next time i see you i'm going to, you know, beat you the f-up. again, it's not going to stop my from delivering my message. >> they're free to flirt with communism and socialism too. why is it that they seem to have more choices than i'm supposed to. why can't the black women question the outrages? >> i think we all should question. i think right now our debt was about 16 or 15 trillion, now it's over 18 trillion. we have government that is really out of control. that's something that america needs to recognize because we are in debt. we have to pay that money back.

this is a burden on our children and grandchildren. >> why do you say you don't have option of political views? >> i do have the options. all americans should have the option and not be afraid to be criticized. >> on the book you take on jesse jackson, in particular, why? >> why? growing up it was the same message i heard throughout different publications, blacks were victims, african americans needed special treatment because of their color. they are still selling that message today, the message of victimization. my book tells people of how i came growing up, working numerous jobs, taking advantage of all kinds of opportunities

and advancing myself because that is what i wanted to do for myself. i never fell in the victim-games because of the failures that are happening in the black community. i never felt for the victimization. my story is a great story specially for young people to think that if i can do you can do it too no matter what your circumstances are, or your family situation happens to be. >> how did you come to your political views? >> grows up i was a democrat because it was something that my parents -- that's how they voted. i thought that's all there was. i didn't do a lot of reading. i started reading different things and experiencing different situations and meeting a number of different people who had various backgrounds and different political views. that's when i realized that i had -- i was being lied to.

if you work hard and persevere and take risks, doors will open for you. i've worked numerous jobs. i always made the best of each opportunity and each circumstance. i'm someone who was able to work at a corporate company for 20 years in manhattan, that's what i had to do to get my college degree. thank god i'm the first college graduate in my family. you have to be patient and have a plan. the doors will open and the opportunities are out there. i can't say enough how exceptional our country is, but it's really important for people to take advantage of the opportunities that are available for them. >> who are your parents? >> my parents are still alive,

they instilled great work ethic, to respect other individuals and to basically stay out of trouble because you make certain decisions and choices, they will follow you throughout your life. i thank god for my parents every day. my father was in corrections. >> worked in the supermarket at night? >> two jobs for over 25 years, 30 years. i saw that. i saw how he got up earlier and didn't see him for dinner time. i admired my parents very much for making sure that we got our education and also watching how they went about their daily lives to keep a roof over our heads. >> what did they think of you being a tea partyer? >> they are very open minded of where my views are.

it's been a treat for them to see me at fox news. i happen to be a contributor. they get a kick seeing me on television. they understand and they understand where they came from. they know what i was like. they know that i was a very determined child, had my views and opinions early on. i don't think they had to worry about me because they knew that i would make my way. >> you include -- you compare your college experience to michelle obama. >> i compare it because a lot of the comments i heard and read about her is that she complained about black americans, different universities and they were targeted and things weren't even. >> i tell you, it's about hard

work, utilize the opportunity. don't blame others because you're not advanced in the way you think you should be. it's really up to the individual to make sure that whatever plans you set forth are the plans that you follow and just take advantage of the opportunities. >> why did you include the track story? >> first of all, that was my first love track and field. i ran when i was in high school, long jump, 440 and 100-dash. we called 100-yard dash back then. i was a true tomboy, loved sports. to mention that, it's something for our young people to look at to really try to think about what you can do for your future, embrace something that you love

and unfortunately i wasn't able to utilize a scholarship because of my senior year in high school, i worked half a day and went to school half a day. another great experiences for me, but i wasn't able to go to college right away. that's okay. i appreciate what i had to go through. i went to school at night 11 years. i didn't squander. >> how obama and the left are driving americans to the government's plantation. >> i mean, too many individuals who are relying on government for everyday wants and needs. with this administration there are records who are relying on government, housing assistance,

food stamps. the numbers have gone up. they are harming working americans. something like that obama care, for example. it was the absolute opposite. i met people who have lost their health insurance. they were happy with doctors, they are experiencing record rates with premium. my hearts go out to individuals. they are hard-working people. they want to support the family. i do see a lot of people who are in circumstances that they don't want to be in because of the failures of the government. >> what made you send you your first tea party -- >> sure. i tell you, it was a great experience for me to be a prime time speaker in dc in 2009. prior to that i was going to

local meetings. i live in new york. i don't want high taxes. that's more money out of my pocket that i could be using for other things. i got involved because years i wasn't involved in politics, look at the situation where we are in with spending, and i got tired of it. so i started to get involved. it's a wonderful things to see americans of all across the country getting involved through activism because it is up to the citizens to play a role. it is up to them to see what politicians are doing and what decisions you're making. politicians need to understand that they work for us, they answer to us. so that's why it's so important, i think, when people to recognize what's going on whether it's locally or

nationally and have a voice. when you see what happened in baltimore, what would you like to have seen? >> i found that to be heartbreaking what happened in baltimore. citizens running down their own neighborhoods. i also find that a lot of the decision-making that came from the mayor and the local accomplishments and the government, they really didn't have a handle on the situation. so it blew out of control. unfortunately, that situation turned into citizens being pitted against the police, law enforcement. the situation should not have happened. it was a local issue, but unfortunately we had external influences that inflated the situation and they made it much worse. >> have you experienced racism in your life?

>> to tell you the truth, i don't believe i have. and i tell you that because of i'm sitting here with you today on national -- on this national network and i've taken advantage. i looked for another opportunity to advance my agenda. for me to sit here and say that i have been targeted racially, i can't say that i have. >> if you oppose to obama, president obama it's because of racism. >> something you address. >> the last that progresses, realizing have all the basis covered if your white and oppose president obama you're a racist, if you're a black conservative like myself, sellout.

they have all the basis covered. they are not looking at what the facts are. if you look at what's happening in the black communities, for example, president obama opposes food choice. why would you oppose a program that would help disadvantage children get out of the cycle that they are in in terms of a broken household or a parent who maybe incarcerated or a single parent household of a neighborhood that is affected with gangs, trying to initiate children. you have children to be empowered with an education so that they can think for themselves, be well educated and support themselves when they get older. that's just one example. there are policies that are harming those in urban communities when it comes to

education or job opportunities, as people need to recognize what's going on locally. >> are chartered schools popular in african american household? >> i was a former member, board members several years ago, and the children i met and interacted with, they knew where they came from, from a public school where there was no control, the kids weren't accountable, the teachers weren't accountable, they put them in a safe environment, where they feel like they are looking -- they are being looked after and they have an opportunity, there's hope for them. charter schools are huge specially in harlem. in new york there's a cast on a number of charter schools available. and the parents have come out and drove to demand more opportunities for their children because they know the dynamic

from the public schools that are failing these kids, to the opportunities -- the opportunities are limited in charter schools because there aren't enough seats. you have these lotteries. the parents are praying that their child's name or number is called so they that can have a hopeful future and quality education. it's a shame that's not something that's front in center for people to understand and recognize the importance of a quality education. >> dennen is the tea party movement sustainable? >> whether it's called tea party or not, movement across the country. i've traveled the country substantially over the last several years and i was briefly in illinois, decatur, illinois, over 200 people were out to hear

me talk about my book, my story, but also to empower these individuals or what they can do because they are concerned about the direction our country is going in. people are coming out on the weekends, bringing children out because they want to know what they can do to play a role and people are being active and it's a wonder thing to see. >> out of 200, how many were black? >> there were -- me, that was it actually. there are certain situations where they may not be any black individuals there -- it doesn't. you know, why, they go to the churches, they let the black churches that they are having and you're invited, you're welcome. we're talking about education, we're talking about energy, empowerment, you're welcome, it's unfortunate when they don't show up.

i've taken the message to chicago, maryland, taken a message here las vegas at the naacp and people are open minded. they want to hear what we have to say and they also want to hear how they can play a role and get involved. when government is involved in our everyday life, that seems to be a trigger for a will the of people to stand voice and have a voice and opportunity to say something. >> it is a civil rights organization and has exposed as a left-wing prompter. >> they don't support free choice. again, why would you take that opportunity away from disadvantage children. they don't support black conservatives. i sent them letters. i tried to speak at the annual conventions.

my questions are ignored by the leaders of the ncaap. they don't want my message to permeate in the black community, my message of personal responsibility to a limited government, and that also blows away that blacks are victim and need special treatment. that's what i heard in las vegas. that was the message i heard. there was a break-out session where they had different speakers coming in. it's mind blowing. what was very concerning that there are a lot of young college students there. i find very disturbing. >> was your reception hostile, cordial. there was one incident where i was on the main floor in exhibit halls and the women came up to me and had a finger in my face and said i shouldn't be there

because of my views and was yelling and cursing at me. she's one of many that think and feel that way. i stood up to her and answered her questions and she's entitled to her opinion. >> what's your relationship with jeffrey and -- >> well, i can say he knows who we are, myself and my husband. we've gone to a numerous shareholder meetings. the industry of energy so they that can sell their renewable energy product. but really they're hiding behind big governments where -- this is a possible public traded company, they want the government, you know, to help with their bottom line. and i think that's wrong. really, that's our tax dollars being used to influence ge's

bottom line. i think that's wrong. >> corporate -- >> absolutely. any kind of government is involved with big businesses, education -- exclusion. that's a red flag. >> who is tom borelli? >> that's my husband. we make the news and, again, another way for people to be empowered. ask the question. why are you making decisions and choices that are not in the best interest of shareholders? simple questions. they don't look to be put on the spot like that specially in front of the board and shareholders. >> where did you and tom meet? >> we met at work. we met in manhattan a number of years ago and we make a great team because we have the same mind set, it's all about liberty and freedom.

we think it's important to educate individuals and get people fired up to get them involved in what they can do. we are just two people but we have been able to make a lot of knows and gain a will the of traction. people recognize from walking the floors here at this event, which is great. it's been great. are you seeing some black american faces? >> oh, yes. i know a number of black conservatives. but i've been contacted on social media from numerous individuals who thank me for what i do, from my voice, they have my book and say it's been inspiration to them. the friend and family and coworkers criticize because of the way of thinking because of their views. i really think i'm able to make

a difference to really draw people out from being afraid, from being vocal simply because of what they think. >> how do you think the republican party is doing on outreach to minority communities? >> i think they should be doing a much better job and it's very telling because i see it as drive-by politicians. when it's time to get elected, they might go to to the black community, they might not, they're not really putting forth much effort like they should be. we are talking about issues. forget the labels. talk about education, you know, school choices i mentioned earlier, talk about energy that affects owl -- all households. with the current administration, the policies and regulations are harming, the cost of fuel industry. before obama was president, he

said he wanted electricity prices to skyrocket. that doesn't help anyone on fixed income. that doesn't help people who are looking to how do i get my medicine if i have to pay more for my electricity bill. look at what the administration is doing and harming working americans. talk about the issues whether people are black, white or otherwise, also what folks can do to play a role. >> it's 2015 and several people have announced for the got nomination for president. >> yeah. >> anyone that you're favoring at this point? >> i'm not. i'm still watching. i want someone who is going to listen to we, the people and someone who will honor the constitution, someone who will abide by conservative principles and values. when you think about it, a lot of the politicians want to be

elected and stay in office and they'll stay and do one thing to get elected, once they are there, you have no idea who this person is. i want somebody who wants to be truth to the values and beliefs. >> here is the cover, it's backlash, you have watching book tv on c-span2. >> you are watching book tv on c-span2. book tv, television for serious readers. >> it wasn't a choice initially. i think i started working in the first or in the third person and then i realize that the struggle of the text was how to do you

get a reader not to think they already know because i think these are old problems. they have stayed with us, you know, now we can say centuries, right, and so how do we reenter in a way that allows us to have to interrogate again. and the second person allowed that because it meant that the reader had to say this person is doing that, and that person is doing that. and i see myself standing here and so those people who said they didn't see race, i don't see race. you're a little bit obsessed by

race because that's probably a white guy, and then suddenly raise interest to space and then one has to take a position around whether or not one is capable of holding the action of one of those people. so that -- that was sort of the thinking behind the second person, another part of me loved the idea that if you're talking sort of minority that you're actually talking about the second person, that the position of the other is a second person. there is that kind of sort of deliciousness around the way that second person met the use of the word other. >> this is book tv on c-span2,

television for serious readers. here's a look at our prime time lineup. at 8:00 dick and liz cheney discuss the book exceptional. race will play in the 2016 presidential election. coming up at 10:00 p.m. eastern, the court and the world. and at 11:00 the state of police departments in america. that's coming up next on c-span2's book tv. but first, here the former director of the cia robert grenai. [inaudible conversations]

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