Tweet I had the great privilege of attending CPAC as a RedState contributor. It was my second go-round at the Conservative conference. The first time was in 2016 with my former channel Communities Digital News. I have to say, I was hesitant the first time because my impression of CPAC wasn’t favorable. From the Left’s constant skewering, and the Republican elite’s looking down on the “God, Guns, and Grassroots” vibe, I wasn’t sure it would be a place where I felt welcome. Don’t get me wrong, I spend a good majority of my life being in places where am generally unwelcome — I live in liberal Los Angeles after all! But to spend money to fly to D.C., and spend money on food, hotels, etc. to feel like an outsider was another thing. However, I did go, and felt like it was a good experience, but there was not a whole lot of melanin present; not a whole lot of diversity in residence.