Despite all that, he will still vote Democratic, talk about being masochistic.
Posted on 10/04/2004 1:58:08 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
SNELLVILLE, GA. – The black American electorate is at zero hour; a vital decision must be made. After 64 years of mostly unrequited love, black voters must choose to end their unilateral devotion to the Democratic Party. This will not be easy, and what is required for black voters to let go and realize their full potential will be counterintuitive to prevailing political thought in the African-American community. Prior to 1940, most blacks who were able to vote identified themselves as Republicans because Abraham Lincoln - the great Emancipator - was a Republican. But with the success of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies, blacks began voting for Democratic candidates and by 1960, most had migrated to the party. For the second half of the 20th century, blacks have been a reliable constituency for the Democrats. Yet no longer can we afford to base party affiliation and voting patterns on sentimentalism.
The black electorate has received only a small and inconsistent return on its unyielding loyalty. Self-respecting black voters should not be counted on to flex their enormous political muscles on cue without asking for, and receiving, more return on their investment.
That yield must include more blacks in all levels of Democratic Party leadership and an unfeigned effort to promote blacks for statewide and national office - even the presidency.
Eloquent speeches at the 2004 Democratic convention by the Rev. Al Sharpton, a former presidential candidate and by Barack Obama, a candidate for US Senate from Illinois, are not fair trade for robust black electoral capital.
John Kerry's 11th-hour appointment of the Rev. Jesse Jackson as a senior campaign adviser last week has little to do with the Democratic presidential nominee wanting to address the average black voter, and more to do with assuaging Mr. Jackson's elephantine political ambitions by using him to stop any more defections before Election Day. Although a new poll found black support for Senator Kerry has dipped precipitously since August, nevertheless, should Kerry succeed in his quest for the White House, in large measure his victory will be attributable to the millions of black voters who remain the most reliable constituency of the Democratic Party and who will stand in long lines to vote in key states such as Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, and Michigan.
Yet the Kerry campaign has done little to court African-Americans. Moreover, black leadership and voters have not demanded more of Kerry's attention. A too easily satisfied black electorate has settled for Kerry's candidacy without question - simply because Kerry is the anti-Bush. Since it is banal for black voters to consider flocking to the Republican Party, which only seems interested in adding a few perplexing and tractable blacks to its ranks - it is not a viable alternative. Therefore, blacks must begin to think of new ways to boost their voting power in all levels of elections.
African-Americans must begin to consider themselves mercenary voters, unabashedly self-interested and steadfast in their refusal to exchange the power of their ballot for any candidate or cause that is not conspicuously to their benefit. A bloc of black voters purposely unaffiliated with one party has the means to become an independent variable that will irrevocably change the American political landscape.
An autonomous and confident black electorate open to voting for candidates across the spectrum who are responsive and accountable, will transfigure American politics. Non-black Americans must not fear a liberated black voting bloc that holds those who court and earn its support accountable. A maturing black American electorate that is conscious of its power and relentless in its pursuit of a new political vision will help to create new and enhanced realities for other Americans, too. After all, black American self-interest, with its uncompromising emphasis on civil and human rights and economic justice, has often been the driving force that has enabled America to reach the moral high ground that differentiates this country among the community of nations.
Investigating and implementing new approaches to expand black political power is a risky endeavor, and there are likely to be notable disappointments as new political alliances are formed. However, not to rethink political strategy is unacceptable.
The educator Booker T. Washington is often quoted as saying, "Cast down your buckets where you are."
For me, that means giving final notice: This is the last time I will cast my vote for a Democratic presidential nominee whose single endearing quality is that he is less openly hostile toward my community than the Republicans are.
I deserve more in return for my vote and my loyalty. No longer will "unrequited" love be an option.
• Benin Dakar writes about political, social, and economic issues affecting the African-American community
The next caller was a woman, who, in the nicest way, told them that it bothered her how blacks as a Christian people would say how they hated Bush and when she’d ask why they felt that way, they really had no answer.
She continued with remarks that Kerry was very articulate and spoke a good line but that blacks have succumbed to that sort of leader before, mentioning Sharpton and Jackson as examples. The talk show hosts agreed but added that wasn’t exclusive to blacks but acknowledged she had a good point.
How about using the power of "their ballot" to vote for the candidate that believes in the American tradtions of individual freedom? Or the candidate that is willing to eradicate Islamic terror? Or are those things not "conspicuously" consistent with the self interest and benefit of the black population.
An honest review will place blacks solidly in the GOP camp.
The biggest statement blacks could make this election is to move the numbers voting for Bush up to 30%. And if some people can't bring themselves to do that, they should stay home and not vote for Kerry.
That would give them voting clout.
Well, I guess you get what you pay for.
Only when they figure out that government won't do it for you will they become empowered. America isn't about what you can get it's about what you can do.
You don't become successful on someone else's nickel.
If you want a voice at the table, you have to have something to offer.
The irony is the Republicans support the right side on that issue without hope of any return. Among the Republicans, it must be principle. The Democrats, on the other hand, have none.
The only smart vote would be for Bush.
"How about using the power of "their ballot" to vote for the candidate that believes in the American tradtions of individual freedom?"
Most blacks do not look at the world in terms of individual freedom. One hundred and forty years later they still look at the world as them being enslaved. The problem is the party that is enslaving them are the Democrats. Since Roosevelt, the only thing a Democrat majority has done for the blacks is to provide free cheese in the 70's. Maybe they are grateful for that, I don't know.
Leaders like Jackson and Sharpton are the pigs from Animal Farm. They used rhetoric and different forms of persecution to rid themselves of blacks that can present opposing views. Views that would change the dynamic in how blacks view the world.
In the end, both Jackson and Sharpton are sitting at the table, playing poker with the white man while everyone looks on in bewilderment. Once they leave the room, they tell their constituents how bad the white man is. And they believe them because their indoctrination has been thorough.
Blacks are traditionally religious and spend their time in church. Someone will have to one day explain why if the church has such a powerful influence on ones life, how could it be possible that they would line up behind a secularist, whos values are diametrically opposed to their beliefs?
Despite all that, he will still vote Democratic, talk about being masochistic.
And people who depart from that message are shunned and called Uncle Toms.
I see this article as trying to stop black voters walking away from Kerry.
This writer is saying, yes be mad but be mad after the election.
It's another LIBERAL con.
"Perplexing and tractable blacks"? I think Condi would have a few choice words for this sanctimonious individual.
Two reasons. First, the church was the authority throughout history in black communities and the pastors' word carried much weight. Second, today in more than a few black churches, the pastors are nothing more than corrupt politicians standing in the pulpit.
He's trying to think for black voters because they're starting to think for themselves.
Bump!
……For decades Democrats have defended the status quo, assuring their re-election by frightening old folks on Social Security, by frightening blacks, by preaching victimization and then assembling the victims and grievance-bearers into an election majority. It's grim, gloom, anger, spite and envy.
Surely we are a more decent people than that. Surely we can build a better world without trampling the weak, the old and the sick.
That's the world George W. Bush describes. It is upbeat, positive, hopeful — and achievable.***
I think it is a myth that Republicans are "hostile" to African-Americans. Perhaps there are some redneck David Duke supporters out in the backwoods, but I think most Republicans would be happy with a colorblind society, as envisioned by Martin Luther King, where there is equality of opportunity and rewards and positions based on objective merit.
I agree.
A country where people get along and enjoy each other's success is a strong country.
BC ping
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