(The Hill) — The only Republican member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) said this week that it was “absolutely offensive” for President Obama to tell the African-American community to stop complaining and grumbling.

“This is not an Imperial Empire, he is not an emperor,” Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) told Conservative New Media after a recent town hall, seemingly making a reference to the villain of the sci-fi “Star Wars” films. “The First Amendment says that you have the right to redress your government for your grievances. . . . We have a right to say, in the black community, that we’re hurting. We need to hear more than hope and change.”

CBC members mostly responded cautiously to Obama’s remarks last weekend at the CBC’s Phoenix Awards Dinner, but indicated that his tone in addressing the group was unexpected.

“Shake it off. Stop complaining, stop grumbling, stop crying,” Obama urged the crowd. “I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I am going to press on.”