By Caroline May - The Daily Caller | Published: 10:42 AM 02/25/2011 | Updated: 5:06 PM 02/25/2011

Conservative Mychal Massie, chairman of the black leadership network Project 21, is calling on liberal African American leaders to back up their charges of racism against the Tea Party.

Massie has challenged the Rev. Al Sharpton, National Urban League President Marc Morial, and former D.C. Congressional Delegate Walter Fauntroy to a debate over the Tea Party’s alleged bigotry.

“With their divisive rhetoric, these men and those like them do incalculable harm to the cohesiveness of our communities. It is time they be held accountable,” Massie said. “I felt a debate would be the fairest method for them to explain and defend their comments. As to their silence thus far, it would seem they are either incapable of defending their position, fearful of having to defend it or — for reasons explainable only by them — they fear giving me more of a national platform.”

The big question for Massie is, will the trio show? All three have reportedly been contacted via numerous means since September 2010. To date, none have responded to say whether they will participate in the Monday debate at the National Press Club.

Massie says he “felt compelled” to take on these accusations head on — and regardless of whether an opponent actually shows up, Massie says he will still address what he says are inaccurate characterizations of the Tea Party.

“These men have thus far been given carte blanche to make such accusations,” said Massie. “They have used the media to inject their poisonous and divisive diatribes as personal currency into the public economy. It is time they are called upon to explain and defend their allegations.”



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