D.C. Official Proposes Black Caucus

Barry (Ward 8), who has been the most vocal about Fenty's appointments, said he had no comment about the proposal, although Thomas said Barry has been helping him try to bring black members together for a meeting.

The other four black council members say they want to ensure they do not isolate their white colleagues and their non-black constituents.

Gray's slogan in his campaign for chairman last year was "One City," an effort to bring together all racial and economic groups in the city. "For me, I truly believe in 'One City,' " he said. "I'm the chair of everybody."

Thomas defended the proposal, saying the idea would be to set an agenda and push legislation that targets black constituents. He said that he would not discriminate and that white members would be invited to attend.

Longtime council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), who is white, called the proposal divisive. "It's never come up in the 16 years that I've been here," he said. "Would you have a women's caucus, a gay caucus?" There are four women on the council and two gay men.

About half of the country's legislatures have black caucuses, said Atiba Madyun, division director of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, a District-based group.

Alexander (Ward 7) said she would be agreeable to a caucus but would want to include her white colleagues.

"The black caucus would be great, but I need votes. . . . I would have to engage the other members," she said. "There are only six of us. I need some vanilla in that chocolate."