I have to admit, the conflict black conservatives are apparently experiencing over Sen. Obama doesn’t concern me much. It’s certainly telling that the first person quoted is Armstrong Williams, who is a bought and paid for whore for the Bush administration. It’s sort of a metaphor for black conservatives in the pundit class right there.
As far as black conservatives in the actual population, they’ll vote for Obama because they’re not morons.
I wrote this piece in 2006 and it was published online by Blackelectorate.com.
I am reposting it here because I think it serves, again, to illustrate the problems of the Republican Party, black Republicans and black conservatives with regard to the overwhelming majority of the nation’s black voters. My contention then and now is that they are still engaged in work avoidance: they would rather talk about how much game they have rather than take it to the court or onto the field.
The Problem with Black Republicans
By
Black Republicans need to get off the talk show circuit and begin doing real political work in the black community if they expect to gain the support of black voters
The struggle over which political party – the Democrats or the Republicans – deserves to be the dance card favorite of black voters presents one of the more intractable, if not paradoxical, problems on the American political landscape. The more that black voters are told that their votes as a block matters less because of the demographic increase in Hispanic and Asian voters in America, the more tenaciously it seems that the Democrats and Republicans pursue and squabble over their votes. Black voters are like the girl that nobody wants to be seen accompanying to the dance but once everyone is safely inside the hall and the music begins nobody can keep their hands off of her.
No group of political party pundits and activists seem to secrete more sweat and angst over this issue than black Republicans and black conservatives who, incidentally, are not always one and the same. Their anxiety is understandable and not just because they might be feeling a tad bit lonely given the lack of support black voters give to Republican Party candidates at all levels. Most black Republicans are smart enough to realize, regardless of where they shake out on the party’s political spectrum, that they will have to bring more than their appetites to the table if they want to influence the party’s direction on public policy issues. In other words, they will have to have some black feet under them if they expect the GOP to listen to them and respond to their interpretations of the issues and concerns of black voters.
The Republican Party’s immediate prospects for recruiting more black voters to punch a chad or touch a screen on behalf of its candidates seems remote at best these days. This seemingly glacial reality causes no end of dismay and hand wringing on the part of black Republicans. Jack E. White, who is black and writes for Time magazine, has declared that the Democrats “virtual monopoly on the black vote is bad for African Americans… a demeaning form of political serfdom.” One black conservative analyst, La Shawn Barber, recently attributed the sway that Democrats have over black voters to “years of damage caused by liberal ideology and misinformation pumped into the black community for the past 25 years.” Barber conveniently forgets or may be too young to remember that the black vote was in play during the 1960 presidential contest between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy; neither candidate took black voters for granted despite the fact that blacks were increasingly voting for Democrats in the national elections.
In truth there was no liberal fairy dust sprinkled over the heads of black voters that caused them to flee from the arms of the Republicans. The more likely cause, as many blacks recall, was the unapologetic embrace of American apartheid by the Republican Party’s presidential nominee Senator Barry Goldwater in 1964 and the party’s efforts to establish a new base for itself among disaffected southern white Democrats. Although a higher percentage of Republicans in the House and Senate voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Bill than did Democrats, Goldwater, armed with the legal and intellectual arguments provided by two of his aides, future Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist and Robert Bork, voted against the bill.
No liberal ideologues caused Ronald Reagan to kick-off his campaign in 1980 by visiting the notorious Philadelphia, Mississippi – where three civil rights workers were murdered – and declare his support for states’ rights. The reality is that Democratic Party liberals did not destroy the relationship between black voters and the Republican Party. White Republican political conservatives, many of who left the Democratic Party in disgust in1964, managed to accomplish this dubious achievement on their own; and, they and their fellow black Republicans need to own up to this fact if either hopes to persuade more blacks to vote for Republican candidates in the future.
If black Republicans truly desire to recruit more black voters to their party then they will need to create a political agenda that moves beyond attempting to use issues such as abortion, gay marriage and prayers in school to drive a wedge between African American voters and the Democratic Party. The fact that an overwhelming majority of African American voters profess a belief in a divine force animating the universe does not mean that a similar number look to heavenly or Biblical guidance when making decisions about who will represent them in the state house or the White House. Consequently, there is only a certain amount of guidance and direction that they will take from their ministers.
Black voters, given their unique history and experiences in the United States, are particularly adroit at understanding and navigating the complexity of American electoral politics and they are not likely to throw over their allegiance to one party or candidate based on issues that they view as tangential to their lives. They may not have approved of Bill Clinton’s dalliance with Monica Lewinsky but she wasn’t their daughter, niece or cousin. This may seem coldly selfish but it is also extremely pragmatic and rational. Most black voters are aware enough to know that the fate of the world and its people does not turn on moral or theological issues alone. People need bread, literally and figuratively, to survive.
Black Republicans might employ, for example, an organizing tactic that was used to great success by the Civil Rights movement: engaging in direct action within the black community. If black Republicans genuinely care about persuading more black voters to cast their ballots for GOP candidates then they will have to be willing to get in the trenches and dig hard for black votes. In operational terms this means, for example, walking the streets in black neighborhoods, knocking on the doors of black voters and helping black people organize around issues directly affecting their lives and communities. Republican candidates, black and white, are not going to get black votes by simply doing S&Ws (smiles and waves) at black churches or getting endorsements from the black clergy or black business groups.
The political correspondent Juan Williams recently argued in op-ed piece in the New York Times that younger black Americans – 18 to 25 year olds – “seem ready for a forthright conversation about race and politics.” Williams may be right but this age group is probably a lot more interested in talking about the need for developing more entrepreneurial and economic opportunities in African American communities than in pursuing further dialogue about America’s racial problems. Black Republicans might consider looking upon this group’s concerns not as a means to talk abstractedly about the benefits of the marketplace but to actively promote and assist their efforts to become business owners.
Far too many black Republican commentators and pundits seem to be as deeply afflicted with the same strain of political myopia that they so often and loudly accuse black Democrats of having contracted. Black Republicans appear, however, to have forgotten or never learned that the most assured way of gaining political legitimacy in American politics is to win an election. As long as the Republican Party, for whatever reasons, seems not able or not willing to recruit and sponsor attractive black political candidates who can either win or run extremely well in predominantly black or substantially black voting districts then the Republican Party will make little or no headway among black voters. Until that time comes, if it does at all, comments and speculations about the motivations (and, by implication, the intelligence) of black voters will seem like nothing more than the childish whining of sore losers.
Former Representative J.C. Watts and others may be correct in asserting that blacks have a greater affinity for the values embodied in the platform and legislative agenda of the Republicans than they do for the Democrats. The truest test of his contention lies, however, in the voting booth. The potency and credibility of these claims cannot be established through the op-ed pages of newspapers and the pronouncements of black intellectuals affiliated with various conservative foundations and “think tanks.” Black voters may be acting contrary to their best interests by putting all of their political eggs into the Democratic basket but, to date, too many black Republicans seem baffled and turned off by the heavy lifting required to move any black eggs into their party’s basket.
####
“As far as black conservatives in the actual population, they’ll vote for Obama because they’re not morons.”
No, they’ll vote for Santa Claus because they are both fictitious.
C.S.Strowbridge,
Good one.
No, they’ll vote for Santa Claus because they are both fictitious.
Just making sure I understand. Santa and black conservatives are both fictitious, or Santa and Obama?
“Just making sure I understand. Santa and black conservatives are both fictitious, or Santa and Obama?”
The first one.
Lmao, What will black cons do? Why, keep on cashing those Republican checks. The same thing they’ve always done, with a smile on their faces.
If you were a Republican, you’d be a millionaire right now Mr. Willis.
Can’t forget what Justice Thurgood Marshall (see the Broadway show) said when he was asked about black conservatives. He said they just compare paths to advancement, “then they go stand in the shorter line.” Devastating.
If anybody has the exact quote, I’d appreciate it.
I garbled that. Marshall was asked why some black politicians chose to throw their lot with conservatism. He said they just compare paths to advancement, “then they go stand in the shorter line.”
Armstrong Williams, who is a bought and paid for whore
No he’s not — we kicked him out of the union for not having enough self-respect.
Major factor IMO; Katrina.
Look at LA two years after the 1994 earthquake, and then look at New Orleans now, and then remember the lack of action on the part of Bush and his appointees, and then remember the partisan blame game played afterwards, and the deaths, and then wonder why the GOP is doing so poorly amongst black voters.
“As far as black conservatives in the actual population, they’ll vote for Obama because they’re not morons”
Now that is a mature viewpoint, what stunning insight.
LOL, I wonder why blacks overwhelmingly choose the Democratic party? It couldn’t possibly because of affirmative action could it?
it’s not because of affirmative action, but in spite of it, that have even conservative blacks picking Dems over Republicans.
Affirmative action was created with the express intent of leveling the playing field, which (when used correctly) it has.
That’s not to say it’s done its job and should now be shut down: hell no–if that happens, white America will immediately (and just watch, folks..) begin excluding blacks and other minorities once again from advancement in American Society. As a white, I see this sentiment far more than makes me comfortable.
Look what happened at the University of California: when AA was in place for admissions, Minority enrollment for under and post-grad studies pretty much matched census percentages. After Ward Connerly killed it, black enrollment immediately dropped to well below 10%, and for some post-grad programs, amlost dropped completely. One excuse I recall given for this was rejection of ‘black-sounding’ names, as compared to admitting strictly on GPA and class placement….so it didn’t matter that LaKeisha Jefferson was salutatorian of her high-shcool graduating class, her 4.96 GPA wouldn’t be enough to be admitted into pre-Law or government at UCLA or Berkeley, while such achievement would be more than adequate for Charles Johnson, say…
Personally, I have never had a problem with programs like Affirmative Action, even when my getting hired might have been adversely affected because of it: it’s imperfect, but the least we can to to begin paying back Minorities for the decades (or centuries) of oppression, repression, and plain mistreatment directed by us against them.
Don’t feel badly about taking advantage of this ‘leg up’ in education and hiring: rules are meant to be taken advantage of in *any* game, life included. Use it, get your start (or get ahead)…show me why it is I respect you, or why I should respect you, and see you at work later.
The policy of inclusion based on group identity over merit is the same as a policy of exclusion based on group identity over merit. It is intellectually dishonest to argue for one over the other.
It would indeed be a shame if your hypathetical Ms. Jefferson couldn’t test high enough with a 4.96 g.p.a. to get into a university on her own merits. Perhaps she needs to go to school that more closely matches her ability rather than displace someone else more qualified. How does one get a g.p.a. that high anyhow?
Study and hard work get the high GPA–if you need to ask, then you’re probably not working hard enough. For my hypothetical case, it’s a historical fact that far too many exceptionally well-qualified people of color (even in the era of Affirmative Action) cannot get into the University of their choice, if not because of their color directly, then because their name implies their origin.
Cogitate this: If an exceptional student in a LA-area school wants to attend UCLA, then they have teh same aspirations as several dozen-thousand of their compatriots in the area, and the School of Law is no exception to that rule. Especially for Freshman also, finding a “school that more closely matches her ability” is no more valid or useful statement than, say, telling a 10-year-old that becoming an astronaut is out of the question–at this early point, they still are checking to see how well they fit into the academic program, and it’s the prerogative of the underclassman to find the program that fits their capabilities. Very few people indeed have the option to determine their capabilities before beginning their college career, and that’s even with the assistance of the Counselors.
note also that it’s possible for students, in these days of Advanced Placement courses for high-school seniors, to get GPAs above 4.0 (I knew a couple personally from my school).
I have a friend who had a high school GPA over 5.
Powell defends affirmative action in college admissions
*that’s* what I’m sayin’
thanks, Oliver
It’s not surprising to find blacks in favor of affirmative action, but it is impossible to square it with the Constitution.
Amendment 14 – Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868.
1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Affirmative Action flat out denies citizens of the right to equal protection. It doesn’t mattter how many liberal judges break thier oath to uphold the Constitution, it still violates the 14th amendment. If our LaKeisha Jefferson can’t test high enough to get in on her own merits she shouldn’t displace someone who can. A policy of racial discrimination is wrong.
Amused Observer: “A policy of racial discrimination is wrong.”
But gender discrimination is “a OK.” Why aren’t Affirmative Action critics speaking about the “new entitled group’’ – White men.
As more female achievement and numbers are increasing over young males, more and more universities across the country are incorporating policies to limit the number of qualified women from admission to keep a “gender balance.” The reasoning? That these women will need husbands? Affirmative Action is not being used to make sure that “white man is on top” and women underneath.
The real affirmative action today is for “white men” and no one is opposing that. Far more less qualified men are getting into universities than minorities these days and women are being suppressed. America wake up to CHANGE.
Juhar,
Cite please? While female admissions have jumped, this is the first I’ve heard of husband rationing as an admission policy.
Amused Observer:
I have heard gender balance argument in college admissions debated many times. The need for the college experience, social life, dating and the need of husbands was included in some of the reasons supporting gender balance. Just Google “gender balance in college admissions” are you will find far more than the few I have cited below:
Christian Science Monitor:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0724/p08s01-comv.html
When researchers at US News & World Report magazine analyzed data from more than 1,400 four-year colleges and universities, they found that in the past decade, many schools had maintained gender balance by admitting many more men than women, even when the women candidates were more qualified.
Admissions directors cite several reasons for wanting to keep the numbers as equal as possible. Balance makes social life easier. It also helps schools attract the best candidates of both sexes: When the gender balance tilts to a 60-40 ratio, favoring either gender, students are less interested in attending.
National Public Radio (NPR)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11185546
Magazine Researches Gender Gaps at Colleges
More women apply to college than men so colleges with elective admissions hope to maintain gender balance by admitting fewer women that men. While just a few decades ago women were not even allowed to enter the nation’s most prestigious universities, now collective success of women nationwide may be making women victims of their own success.
Alex Kingsbury of U.S. News & World Report talks to Anthony Brooks about the magazine’s research into gender gaps in college admissions.
USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-04-02-our-view_x.htm
Lately, a nationwide shortage of highly qualified male applicants has admissions directors at private institutions (along with a few from public universities, which face separate legal issues when making exceptions based on race or gender) reaching deeper into their applicant pools to get something close to gender balance on campus.
In order to achieve diversity, the need for racial inclusion is as real as the need for gender balance.
Not to confuse my words with the USA Today article,the last sentence above was my statemen: “In order to achieve diversity, the need for racial inclusion is as real as the need for gender balance.”
When John F. Kennedy said “…my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow Americans includes women and men of all minority and ethnic groups. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION was created for inclusion – DIVERSITY is the big bonus that’s achieved when men and women of all minority and ethnic groups can learn from one another and make this nation stronger.
PT Cruiser: If black Republicans truly desire to recruit more black voters to their party then they will need to create a political agenda that moves beyond attempting to use issues such as abortion, gay marriage and prayers in school to drive a wedge between African American voters and the Democratic Party.
I almost didn’t respond to the Black Conservatives: Whatever Shall They Do because Most Black Conservatives are Black Democrats. A very large number of Black Democrats are against abortion and gay marriage, but their vote is usually for Democrats because they do not want laws made to take away the individual rights to make their own choices and be accountable to God for their own actions.
Black Democrats do not need a history lesson to remember that segregation laws were sustained by the popular vote of the people, local and state legislatures. It was only by Presidential executive orders and Supreme Court decisions.
It was only by Presidential executive orders and Supreme Court decisions that civil rights and equal rights were enacted. Black Democrats like most Americans vote in their interests and it is the same for Black Republicans.
I still don’t understand why Black Democrats seem angry with Black Republicans as if they need to be converted from a cult. The majority group and all minority and ethnic groups are made up of both Democrats and Republicans, why would Blacks be any different. Just as White voters are not monolithic, either are Black voters.