Blacks Need to Become a Swing Vote

RCP ^ | 11/11/04 | John McWhorter

[truthandlife]

So much for polls that had President Bush getting twice as many black votes as he did in 2000. In 2000 he got 8 percent of the black vote. This time, he got only 11 percent. Eighty-eight percent of the black vote went to John Kerry.

What's interesting is that no other racial group in America has a vote-skew anything like that. Latinos voted 53 percent for Mr. Kerry and 44 percent for Mr. Bush. Asians were 56 percent for Mr. Kerry and 44 percent for Mr. Bush.

Blacks get insulted when people say we all think alike. But then why don't we take our individuality to the voting booth?

For one thing, a great many black people associate the Republican Party with racism. This means that voting Democratic is often less about making a personal choice than voting on the basis of a group concern.

This is understandable. But it's also obsolete. It's time for the black community to start spreading its vote across the two main parties.

The Democrats have no reason to address our concerns in any real way, because we're a slam-dunk.

And that leaves black America powerless. Help comes only when someone decides to try something out of the goodness of their hearts, and then there is always the question of follow-through.

This is why groups with pull make the parties court their vote.

Not that all of us should start voting Republican -- that would just leave us with the same problem. We just need to reconsider the idea that voting Republican is automatically disloyal.

For the record, President Bush did not get my vote. I voted for John Kerry because that's what my personal take on issues and priorities led me to do. But a lot more than 11 percent of us might find that Republicans have important things to offer us as well. Faith-based initiatives come to mind, as does education reform.

About racism: Our progress will have more to do with a party's policies than how some of its members might feel about their kids marrying ours. In 1912, W.E.B. Du Bois endorsed Woodrow Wilson over Theodore Roosevelt. Mr. Wilson was a bigot, as was President Roosevelt. But Du Bois was interested in whose policies would allow blacks to make the best of the worst in the real world.

The civil rights revolution was four decades ago. Even President Clinton's Dialogue on Race is a fading memory. Soon Latinos will outnumber blacks. We're in a war in Iraq. The days when helping blacks was front and center on the government's agenda are gone. We have to start playing ball the old-fashioned way.

I know some think racism is the defining experience of being black, and that this means that our voting must reflect that. But must it, if this leaves us with no purchase upon national resources for our betterment? Must it, when Latinos are no strangers to racism, and yet they split their votes?

In that light, we have to ask: Does our voting pattern really represent the diversity among us in experiences, aspirations, values? Do we really want to give in to allowing racism to define us?

Because today, if we do -- if we vote as victims rather than as individuals -- we only perpetuate our victimhood. We become the Democrats' mascots, instead of a force to be grappled with.

[robertpaulsen]

If the Republican black vote went from 5% to 10% you could claim a 100% increase.

Whoop-de-do. It's still only 10%.

Bush earned the black vote. He didn't get it.

[mhking]

My understanding is that 90% of the black vote went for the 'rat party.

Again, considering that 92% voted Democratic in 2000, and also considering that there was an even more concerted effort by the 'rats to prevent blacks from voting anything but Democratic this time, it becomes obvious that some measure of outreach IS working. But to insult blacks, as some here are very quick to do, does nothing for outreach. To categorize the "group think" that exists as a psychological problem also does a disservice to blacks as a whole.

[mhking]

Whoop-de-do. It's still only 10%.

Bush earned the black vote. He didn't get it.

You just proved my point.

You obviously don't WANT the black vote.

[blaquebyrd]

You make some valid points. I just hate all the labels, generalizations, and assumptions when it comes to being black in this country. Also being from Chicago I've seen all of the negative realities that you state in your post. The difference is I don't believe it can all be blamed away on the system, The Man, or programs. Personal responsibility and accountability must be addressed in the black community. I just felt the need to bring a little awareness to this thread that not every black that didn't vote for Bush was a brainwashed racist looking for a handout. Go Bears!

[mhking]

You obviously don't know anything about John McWhorter or his articles and books:

http://www.city-journal.org/html/13_3_how_hip_hop.html

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/_dmn-bill_cosby.htm

http://www.city-journal.org/html/12_2_the_mau_mauing.html

http://www.salon.com/books/int/2003/01/14/mcwhorter/print.html

http://www.city-journal.org/html/11_1_whats_holding_blacks.html

http://www.city-journal.org/html/12_3_why_blacks.html

http://www.city-journal.org/html/12_1_the_campus.html

And that's just a sample. His books include "Losing the Race: Self-Sabotage in Black America" and "Authentically Black: Essays for the Black Silent Majority" -- both of which excoriate the so-called black intelligensia and black liberal establishment.

[mhking]

Personal responsibility and accountability must be addressed in the black community.

Agreed 100%!

[rdb3]

'Cause if you stay in my way, I'll plow right on over you. And as big a head of steam as I've got, you'll get trampled. Hard.

Amen to that. I can't say what I really want to say about him and those like him.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

At the moment American Blacks are about as dead as one can get when it comes to political power. They have none. In today's reality, the Black Congressional Caucus is just a club for social gathering of Blacks in congress. That is the bad news. The good news is that there are growing numbers of young, pro-active, intelligent Black leaders that see the handwriting on the wall, and in good numbers they are beginning to speak out openly about the crying need for Blacks to alter their voting patterns dramatically. Case in point was a prolonged presentation on C-Span yesterday concerning Black voting patterns. Every American Black voter should view it. What is clearly outlined is that the NAACP is no longer an effective organization for advancing Black causes. I sincerely hope the Black community turns to, wakes up, gets real and moves forward into the mainstream of American life and politics. Otherwise, they will remain as they are, chained as the economic slaves of the Democrat Party, with not an ounce of real political power at all!!!

[edchambers]

( a good generalization that blacks vote democrat mostly for historical reasons.)

Unfortunately it's historic propaganda.Bob Dole wrote an excellent piece on this the facts are the Republican party has done far more for blacks than the Democrats ever have.Democrats point to our opposition to Affirmative Action as evidence of racism when in fact Affirmative Action IS racism.Republicans could destroy this monopoly once and for all by nominating and electing the first black president.Unfortunately the pool of qualified candidates is pretty thin.Although he's too liberal for my tastes Colin Powel has the name recognition and the likability to get elected.

[robertpaulsen]

"You obviously don't WANT the black vote."

Me? Personally? WTF does that have to do with anything?

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY has wanted the black vote for 40 years and they get squat. 9% isn't a vote. 11% isn't a vote. It's an accident.

The Republican Party, and George Bush, have earned the black vote with their actions. They have the programs to elevate the blacks from poverty and dependence.

But with only 11% support, I think GW can spend that money elsewhere with a clear conscience.

[PhilipFreneau]

>> Blacks Need to Become a Swing Vote

This will not happen until they overcome the spell of those Uncle Toms named Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Unfortunately, "group think" is a process that the Democrat Party uses effectively on masses of Black folk. I, for one, cannot believe that a people so rich in history, culture, the arts and education can be so foolish and misguided to have ended up where Blacks are today, politically. My own view is that the majority of Black folk believe that they unlike any other "immigrant" group are contained by racism. While racism is alive and well in the world, it is not the obstructive force it once was. Therefore Blacks must first purge themselves of this "anchor" and move forward into assimilating into the general American society. A minority of Blacks have already done this and acheived amazing results. There is today in this very country a sizable number of "very" rich and influential blacks. I only take note that "captive" liberal Black, Bill Cosby, has seen the light, and basically is saying, stop your BS, and get with the program that will allow you your full freedom and opportunity in America. It is time for the NAACP to disappear into the twilight, and for the a new, enlightened Black leadership to come forward and demand of Black folk the steps needed to porgress and become all that they can be in this great and free society. Hanging out with Democrat Party will, as it has, continue to lead Blacks nowhere!!! A mentality of dependence on solely a political force is a doomed exercise!!! Those of us that critique Black folk only do it to arouse discomfort and shake them from the status quo of failure they have wrapped themselves in!!! They deserve a better shot than remaining in the chains of economic slavery the Democrat Party has foged for them!!!

[FrankR]

This is one of those subjects that is like the "Miranda rights"...anything you say can, and will, be held against you.

With all the talk about Republicans being "racists", it occurs to me that the very ones making this broad, stereotypical observation, are the very ones who look as blacks only as a "voting bloc", and nothing else. In fact, the left has looked at blacks as "votes" only for so long, they fail to see the individual.

Ddemocrats have done a spectacular job of instilling fear and hatred into people of color, and convincing them that everyone, other than democrats are racists, that the "school of fish" syndrome has taken over...one turns, they all turn.

But, did John Kerry give a damn about blacks BEFORE he needed their votes? No. All those trips to black churches for campaign support (Gee, whatever happened to their precious 'Separation of Church and State'?). I think those churches should lose their tax-exempt status if they are going to be used as democratic meeting halls.

Why doesn't that INSULT blacks?

Isn't that sort of like a woman marrying a man just for his money? Well, like the song says, "When your money's gone, your honey's gone". What has any of these white democrats done for blacks other than court their votes near election times?

Of the last three Republican Presidents, I don't remember any of them cutting out any Civil Rights, entitlement programs, or anything. George W. has more minorities in his Administration than clinton ever did.

Looking at the facts, it's obvious that "group-think" trumps individual and independent thinking. Sure, there is power in numbers, just ask the last lemming that goes over the cliff.

[Warrior Nurse]

SOUTHSIDE!!!!!!!!!! I agree with the personal responsibility and accountabily aspect b/c there is no THE MAN especially when it comes to black on black crime. We need to embrace morals, values and educations. Gains are made that is true.

GO Bears!!!

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Soon Latinos will outnumber blacks."

---

According to the 2000 Census, Latinos already outnumber blacks. Perhaps the author meant that soon Latino voters will outnumber black voters, but I think that will take a while.

[maryz]

The Democrats have no reason to address our concerns in any real way, because we're a slam-dunk.

At least make them go to the trouble of lying to you (as they're scurrying to do even more to the religious right).

[FrankRepublican]

Blacks get harmed the most by illegal immigration - I have seen this for decades in Miami.

Bush's plan for illegal amnesty is not good for African-Americans. I agree that the GOP should continue to reach out to blacks. Jackson, Sharpton and Clinton have only harmed them.

[mhking]

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY has wanted the black vote for 40 years and they get squat. 9% isn't a vote. 11% isn't a vote. It's an accident.

But with only 11% support, I think GW can spend that money elsewhere with a clear conscience.

So the last "nigra" that's come out the door can turn out the lights, and the hell with the rest, right? Hell, with that kind of attitude, there's no wonder I get looked at like I've lost my mind.

Why would anyone in their right mind want to subject themselves to someone who doesn't give a sh*t?

If you were running the GOP, you'd give the soul patrol enough ammunition with your attitude to keep blacks away from the GOP for generations.

And if the GOP has your same attitude, then they, too, can sit safely within the confines of their own mediocrity.

After all, you can say all day long that you want blacks to participate, but when you continually slap blacks in the face -- as you have done with your attitude here -- don't be surprised when blacks say 'up yours.'

But, when you have people across this nation working diligently to reach out to blacks -- starting with me, myself and I -- and you have more blacks participating, and more blacks running as Republicans, and more blacks countering the lies published by the left, then you are bound to get an increase, however small, across the board.

I've had to listen for months to people here try to tell me that the black vote would be the same in 2004 as 2000, and that it was a waste of time and money to work on increasing it. I insisted that we would see a one to two point increase, and that I would consider that a victory. Now, with early indications pointing to a three to four point increase, here you come -- along with the others who blew smoke up my butt -- telling me that it isn't enough. Trying to tell me that it is STILL as waste of time, effort and energy.

Well, excuse the hell outta me! To use your attitude and logic, if 90% of all blacks voted for George Bush this time, it wouldn't be enough. ("After all, there's still 10% who voted Democrat," is what we'd hear from your quarter.)

You don't want blacks in the party? Fine. You think it's a waste of money? Fine.

You like letting Jesse Jackson tell liberal and black audiences his lies and paint them as OUR message? Fine. (Because that's what you're advocating, whether you know it or not, by dissuading GOP outreach into black America)

But, thankfully, more reasoned and logical heads prevail in the Party and among most conservatives. And, Lord willing, I'd love to see us get to 15% next time. But it won't happen if everyone takes your antebellum view on things.

You talk about wanting the black vote for more than 40 years with no outreach. After awhile, you'd think someone would figure out that WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR 40 YEARS ISN'T WORKING, and that a new approach might help.

Oh, but what do I know? I's jes a lowly nigra, I's not 'sposed t'know nuthin 'bout that, right?

[mhking]

Bush's plan for illegal amnesty is not good for African-Americans.

Agreed. This is yet another commonality that some people, both black and otherwise, are starting to figure out.

[robertpaulsen]

I read the Salon interview -- I'm not impressed.

He comes across as a whiny, "We're repressed, whitey don't care about us, we'd just love to integrate but you have to understand that we're different, yeah Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Arabs are minorities who do do better but you should compare us to the Mexicans instead, I was called a nigger by a cracker, and Eminem is overrated."

And he calls himself conservative? Give me a Thomas Sowell or a Walter Williams or an Alan Keyes -- they're the true black conservatives.

This guy is a phony. In my opinion.