[Trueblackman]

Time for a little tough love before the 2004 Election

[Rabid Dog]

It must sometimes be a lonely road for you to walk. I hope you know that there are many, many FReepers here that admire your efforts and applaud your thoughts.

Bump from Ventura County! (Formerly from Nothern Virginia/D.C. area)

[peeve23]

Good article.

You've got to point out the conspiracy of the rich folks that run the DemocRat party. They're so rich that a little tax raise here or there against themselves means nothing compared to the power they get. Increased power brings in more than enough money to compensate for the tax increases they vote on themselves.

African-Americans can smell a real conspiracy a mile away. Unfortunately, they can't smell a real one that has lasted generations. White DemocRats keep power by sucking up to the black commmunity.

[jocon307]

"...the average Democrat Voter in Ward 8 shares some of the same conservative values of our party."

This reminds me of the first Gulf War. All I saw on the news was how Blacks opposed the war, and all I saw in my mostly Black neighborhood (of Jersey City, NJ btw) were yellow ribbons and signs supporting our troops and our nation.

People just will NOT vote for a candidate if they are not ASKED to. They may not vote for a person even if they are asked, but asking is a key. If I were ever to run for office I would campaign among all voters, even those unlikely to vote for me. After all, I'd be aspiring to represent them too.

Black Republicans will continue to make progress and Republicans will continue to make progress among Blacks.

Damn the Liberal Media, FULL SPEED AHEAD!

[itsinthebag]

As a 52-year old African American female, I agree with you 100%. Al Sharpton has it right when he says that the Democratic Party takes the African American vote for granted. Unfortunately, he's in the wrong party, and there are no other key issues that I agree with him on. We have alot of African Americans who write thought provoking articles about the subject, but I've seen very little put into action. We need to be more vocal, radical if necessary. My sister and I have been protesting in front of an abortion clinic located in a black neighborhood in Washington, DC. The statistics show that 79% of the abortion clinics are located in poor black neighborhods. African Americans consitute 12% of the population, yet African American women (and girls) undergo 35% of U.S. abortions. This is black genocide, yet it's shocking that so many in the African American community are pro-choice (pro-death). Historically, Republicans (and definitely African American Republicans) do not make half the noise that Democrats make. What is one to do to get this message out?

[conservativeinbflo.]

There are plenty of blacks out there who hold your values, and loathe the exploitive race merchants like PUSH. Jesse Lee Peterson is the perfect example. However, Rev. Peterson, Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams... they're all branded as "Uncle Toms" by the liberal black caucus. I think that may play a role in the reluctance of blacks to openly admit the conservative/moral views they possess. They fear being unfairly branded by the likes of Michael Eric Dyson and Jesse Jackson.

[ScholarWarrior]

Admire your thoughts.

We need to increase the visibility of the sensible voices in the African community - Watts, Rice, Keyes,yourself.

How can that be done?

[PatrickHenry]

I've always believed in leading by setting a good example, which is what most blacks in the Republican party seem to be doing. Unfortunately, it's difficult to spread the word, when most of the media deliberately ignore their accomplishments, and prefer to dwell on the standard litany of negatives, which the Jesse Jackson types are so skilled at exploiting. Then there's the problem of those in academia, who seem to teach that "black history" is a justification for emppowering socialists.

There are, in my opinion, many institutional barriers to progress, but such barriers are rarely the now-discredited institutions like the Klan. All the barriers these days seem to be on the side that claims to be "solving" problems. So the work ahead will be especially difficult, because it involves changing the mindset of those who imagine they are "doing good," when in reality they are the problem.

[Mamzelle]

re: These African American Republicans are simply out for themselves and use the party to boost their own standing. )))

Well.

You know, there are a lot of self-interested people in all colors and parties. Politicians become politicians, except for the Extremely Saintly, because they love attention and power. It's not unnatural.

Think you put those goalposts too high.

[Freemeorkillme]

ping

[San Jacinto]

If Republicans could make sufficient inroads into the African-American community just to the point of getting 20% or 25% of the vote, this would make a huge difference in many elections. It would certainly impact every presidential election as well as the battle for control of the House and Senate. Once the 25% barrier was broken, many more credible Black Republican candidates and leaders could emerge, and the movement could mushroom.

Common sense tells us that many Blacks share conservative values, and if you look at the problems that face so many Black neighborhoods-- high crime, unwed births, deterioration of family structures, poor academic performance, etc.-- then it is obvious that the solutions lie in restoring the values championed by Republicans, not in more government programs.

Who is going to be the Martin Luther King, Jr. of the 21st Century? Who will be the leader that targets the true villians and shows the path to economic independence and achievement of the American Dream?

[mabelkitty]

Bless you!

I was thinking of two ways to make traction:

Call on the hypocrisy of the pastors that allow Democrats to come into the Church and preach to the flock for votes!! I never, ever understood this. These politicians don't deserve to walk up to the door let alone to lead the pulpit.

[Dan from Michigan]

Some good news. Over in Michigan, Bill Hardiman was elected to the state senate in one of the five toughest races last year. He was the mayor of Kentwood(mostly white) which is a suburb of Grand Rapids, but grew up in a ghetto part of Grand Rapids which was part of the district. Hardiman did much better than expected in the black precincts and won overall by 7500 votes(out of 82,000).

He went there and campaigned hard, and more importantly, people knew him and trusted him.

[mhking]

Tough love, indeed.

Part of the problem, Kevin, is that too many expect us to hold the standard for the entire country, laudable goal, though that may be.

At the same time, those in the lofty perches cannot stand without support from beneath. The notion of conservative blacks in high offices is wonderful, indeed. But without the supporting cast in local and state office, it becomes difficult to expand that base.

I agree with you - there are black conservatives who are out for themselves singularly. Yet the vast majority of us are in the trenches every day. We provide the day-to-day visibility; we stand in line at the bank and at the grocery stores; we show that conservative blacks are just as concerned about good schools and safe streets as everyone else. We show that we are not the "evil, advantageous ones" who would "sell our very souls" to some etherial "devil."

Standing on the national stage is good. We need to have that. But we need those on the local and regional levels as well. Our presence provides that. It shows people around us that there is a reason for being. It shows that we all have something to say and to contribute.

---

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[ken5050]

Kevin, as always, a thoughtful and provocative essay. My comments:

Most blacks are heavily concentrated in so called "minority" districts, which were originally advocated by the Dems to create safe seats...The GOP one-upped them, when they realized that by putting all the blacks, who overwhelmingly vote Dem into one district, they would make the ajoining districts safer for Republicans. Thus, BOTH parties benefit from the system....Until the SC throws out these districts, it's going to be harder for a black Republican to win in a black district, ( he'd have to win over 50%+ of the black Dems..which is a hard row to hoe)....rather, a conservative black Republican would have a much beter chance of winning in a conservative district, either mult-racial or even predominantly white. So, seems to me that this would be a better way to allocate those election resources, and grow the candidates. At the same time, we can't ignore the mostly black districts....because if we can peel away even 5-10% of the votes to the GOP ticket..it could make a HUGE difference in statewide totals, and thus a senate seat or an electoral college vote could be swung to our side...

Also, remember that the incumbents of any strike has such a huge advantage in House races....it's hard to effect the change you're seeking...but it's coming.....actually, as the CBC becomes more senior in the Dem caucus, and more ossified, and moves farther to the left...it'll be easier for conservative black Republicans to distinguish themselves, move tothe middle ground, and win a few seats..

BTW..a few weeks ago..I commented on one of your threads, where your voiced a similar complaint....I asked you when were you running for congress...I said I'd come done and work for free on your campaing, I'm sure many otheres here would help.....what's your CD? I didn't get an answer..I figured you missed my reply, as you no doubt get so many..

PPS...I'm pinging you on an essay I posted yesterday..I speaks in part to this issue...I'd welcome your comments......regards..and a happy holiday..

[steve8714]

The problem is, the Republican party appeal to black men and women is all reason and no emotion. To gain enthusiasm, the party must pick a "red meat issue which will resonate emotionally and over which there is an easily perceived difference with the Democrats. Crime should be the issue, but must be coupled with the need for black self defense and the racist basis of all gun control. "keep guns out of the hands of "criminals" code word for blacks...etc.

[Cicero]

I can only guess that few blacks want to make a career of being viciously attacked by other blacks and being demonized as Uncle Toms. Nothing inspires the Democrats to pile on so hard as a black Republican politician, because they realize that if any black is allowed to get away with that, it will break the logjam and end their monopoly. Regretably the media fully support these attitudes.

Clarence Thomas is the obvious example of what happens to a black who sticks his neck out and goes against the trend.

When I started out teaching at NYU, there was a young black professor who taught eighteenth-century English literature. He was very bright and very good at it. But he was offered triple his salary to go into administration. Naturally he agreed. Nowadays, you look around, and you find that 99% of black PhDs are either in administration or in Black Studies. Very few of them simply teach literature.

You can't entirely blame them for going along with this system. They get better pay and more respect from their peers. I hope things will change, but it will take a few really dedicated mavericks to start the change. I agree that politics is an essential area of change. In their own most selfish self-interest, blacks need to be represented in both the major parties to gain more political leverage. And in their own true self-interest, blacks need to join the party that will better encourage them to take responsibility for their lives and the lives of their friends and families.

[steve8714]

The problem is, the Republican party appeal to black men and women is all reason and no emotion. To gain enthusiasm, the party must pick a "red meat issue which will resonate emotionally and over which there is an easily perceived difference with the Democrats. Crime should be the issue, but must be coupled with the need for black self defense and the racist basis of all gun control. "keep guns out of the hands of "criminals" code word for blacks...etc.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I bet if you where to ask 3 of them where Martin Luther King and Alabama Avenues in Washington DC (Ward 8)are located they could not even tell you.

I can, and I'm a skinny white guy (who used to work in Anacostia.)

[anymouse]

Bump for a heroic and noble goal. Although your comments are most applicable to black conservatives/Republicans, it also applies to us all. Each of us needs to reach out to those we know share our values, but for whatever reason tend to vote for the other side.

The left knows that winning elections is a numbers game and they make sure their base gets to the polls. Sure they juice it a bit with the usual voter fraud, but the usually pull out all stops to get key voters to the polls.

With the huge amount of voter appathy out there, we only have to get a small part of those non-voters to come out and vote for our candidates to make a big difference. If we can sway some of those regular voters that happen to vote Democrat to come over to our side, then that makes it even easier to win. When you can win over diciplined voters, that is worth a dozen haphazard voters.

[beachn4fun]

I read your article with much interest. I am glad to see a Republican, especially an African-American, come out swinging to try to get peoples attention on some realities. I just want to say that I have been trying to tell the GOP for months that they need to start educating people (especially those who normally vote Democrat) why the Republican agenda makes more sense than the Democrat one. One of the ones that converted me from Democrat leaning (which was before I ever registered to vote) was the fact that the poor are never going to get rich if you keep taxing them to pay for social programs. The Democrats represent tax-n-spend. Anyone who has ever had to live on a budget knows that if you spend more than you make, you will never get out of the hole. Another example, is if you give all of you money to charities, you won't have anything left to pay the rent. That's why we always hear Dems talk about raising taxes. Not reducing them. They don't want to give up their social programs, but want more money to pay for more social programs. So, what do you hear.... "well, we just don't have the money to pay for schools, so we MUST raise your taxes."

My point is that I think the whole Republican party needs to start being more vocal. I agree with you on how much the liberals get away with, yet the Republicans never challenge them. Trent Lott is a good example. I told GOP that the Dems rallied around Clinton even in his darkest hour. Most supported him whether they like what he did or not. So today we have a lot of people who think Clinton never did anything wrong. They've forgotten the perjury.

My closing two cents, it is a crying shame that it is considered "against the black culture" to be successful (is it just in politics? The celebrities/sports figures seemed to be worshipped) as many are. And that Powell and Rice are made to feel ashamed of their success. Good Luck to you.