Black Republicans: Uplifting the Community or Selling Out?
What Role Will They Play in the 2008 Presidential Election
Also, that same year civil rights activist Dick Gregory had this to say about why 10 percent of the black community vote republican to CNS also: "I have no idea. You have to ask them. That's like asking me about a woman having a baby. Go ask her, I don't know." His opinion about the Republican Party is that they are "white racist thugs" and he does not understand why blacks would want to affiliate themselves with that party.
To call ALL republicans racist is very extreme to say the least. After all, both democrats and republicans alike are known to have included high profile members of the Klu Klux Klan throughout the years. So you basically can not deem one party more racist than the other.
Today, the majority of the black community continues to align themselves with the Democratic Party; the party who promised blacks "40 acres and a mule". Well just in case some of you do not know, we are still waiting on that mule and 40 acres.
Let me give you a little history about the "40 acres and a mule" concept. Way back in the day when freed slaves first gained the right to vote they identified with the political party that freed the slaves-the republicans. Later on, years later the Democratic Party came along offering "forty acres and a mule" and freed slaves jumped on the band wagon.
In other words, it seems the strong hold that the democrats have on blacks is the "we owe you" factor. Many of the social programs that the democrats have implemented over the years are geared towards dependency upon our government.
When you think about all that the Republican Party prides itself on; strong faith in God, strong families, personal responsibility, and quality education are values that kept African American families together after slavery. Throughout the years, in the black community it was the praying "Mommas" and "Big Mommas" who saw their families through the hard times. It was these values that got black colleges started, it was these values which started black businesses. Also these values instilled a strong work ethic. And all this was achieved BEFORE Affirmative Action, when racism was at it highest in this country.
Estimates have the number of blacks who voted republican in the 2004 election at 10 percent. This indicates that some in the African American community have decided to think outside the box and refuse to let others dictate how they should vote. Many have started to look into what each party stands for.
The bottom line is we can not look at a political party to be our "savior". It is important to vote what is right for you. There is more than just tax dollars at stake and this goes beyond terrorist threats against our country.
Keep in mind that both the republicans and democrats are far from perfect. Both have political and racist skeletons in their closets. And as long as they remain human, they will continue to have these skeletons and accumulate more.
What can blacks, whites and those in between do to secure the future for their families? Teach responsibility, education begins at home- do not expect schools systems to do everything for you- libraries are FREE. And lastly, teach the value of personal choice.
In today's political climate, choice is often equated to a woman's right to choose- abortion. But choice is bigger than that. Choice is something that we as Americans have a right to. We have a right to choose a political party and not be ostracized for it by those in our community.
RESOURCE:
Harry Belafonte Calls Black Republicans 'Tyrants'
Marc Morano
CNSNews.com Senior Staff Writer
August 08, 2005
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=%5CSpecialReports%5Carchive%5C200508%5CSPE20050808a.html
Published by Lorraine Hayden
I'm a freelance writer, wife and mother. View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI'm sorry I missed this one! Politically I tend to lean to the left and I believe that the government should try to help those in need. It should try to help them get back on their feet but I also feel that our social programs are way too liberal and tend to make some people dependent on the system thereby enabling them to stay in the cycle of poverty. As far as who votes for who...this is America and you can vote for anyone you choose regardless of your skin color. BTW 5 of 5 stars.
Very nicely written article, Lorraine. Very well balanced...now which party will you vote for in 2008? :)
Great article. I think by saying such things about blacks who vote Republican, it makes those people seem like they are "selling out", which is not true. It is insane to me, as it seems the tone of certain critics is that something is wrong with Republicans who happen to be black. This will just further divide communities over something as simple as politics. Very sad.
I do believe there are more Black Republicans than is being said though. This is a free country. Vote how you please.
I know it is the norm for the common man (or woman) to keep his mouth shut about who he voted for. The last election was the first time I was old enough to vote. I did the research on both candidates not because it was my college assignment but because I wanted to make a sound decision. I did vote democratic but I didn't look at candidates as far as which party they belonged to but if I felt he could actually do the job. I look forward to the next election and see how it plays out.
The "party of Lincoln" became the party of Strom Thurmond as part of the (white) "Southern strategy" Kevin Phillips devised for Richard Nixon in the wake of the landmark civil rights legislation pushed by Lyndon Johnson (with support of the Republican establishment of the day, e.g., Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen of Illinois).
Selling out is often a way to get ahead. Clarence Thomas would not have been nominated to the Supreme Court if he were white in a million years, for instance.
I'm so tired of people saying nasty things about blacks who vote anything but Democratic. What, they aren't entitled to their own opinion? I don't think they are selling out. I think it's just the opposite. They want what is best for themselves and their people and that isn't ALWAYS what the democrats aspire to. I have friends that are black democrats, republicans, and independents (like me). I respect them all for who they are as individuals and not they way they vote.
Very interesting article. Politically I'm an Independent Democrat--I lean democratic but an willing to vote for an independent or republican candidate if i feel they are the best person for the job.