Taking color out of the equation, would people protest only film-people being honored at the Oscars? Or only sports-people being honored at a hall of fame ceremony? This party recognized and celebrated a specific group who achieved success in their chosen venue -- in this case, a member of a minority elected to representive government. People not in that group had no point being there. White elected officials no more "deserved" to be there than a thespian at the Oscars (that's what the Tony awards are for) or a football player at Cooperstown (football has its own hall of fame). This is not hard to understand. Anyone who protests is just upset at not being the center of attention.