I'm Black and I'm A Republican

So, here's the thing, the title is correct. I am Black and I am a Republican.

*GASP* Sellout!!!!
*GASP* He is soooooo brave.

What ever. Here's my experience on the matter.

I haven't faced the criticism for being a Republican. In fact, when Black Republicans, on-line, have said they get grief for saying they are Republican, I usually state that I find it hard to believe they are getting the flack they claim they are getting and I think there is ALWAYS more to it that isn't being said.

Why?

Because as an independent, I've said harsh things about Democrats and haven't received heat over it WHEN I PREFACE THE CRITICISM WITH FACTS THAT CAN'T BE DENIED. For example:

• No Black Democrat will deny that the Democratic party takes the Black vote for granted.
• Black Democrats may believe that funding of schools is important, but when I mention that all of the funding in the world doesn't help if the school is in disarray because disruptive kids are allowed to stay in the classroom, instead of being removed from the classroom and, possibly, given alternative education, I get agreement.
• Some Black Democrats may not like vouchers, but many more like charters, and even when they don't, if you point out more Black politicians and teachers put their children in private school when compared to the general population, and that Black parents of children in school, when given a chance, choose charters and/or vouchers, there is no disagreement that options should exist.
• No Black Democrats that I have talked with, say they want more taxes taken out of their checks. And when I give examples of wasted money that could be geared towards areas they want, there is agreement. It all boils down to accountability for the spending of money. Again, no disagreement when I state it that way.

If the history of Blacks and Republicans come up, I don't defend the Republican party because I think they have a problem of their own making and I say so. Not only that, but if when pressed by Republicans, I point out white and Black Republicans of note who echo what I've stated.

(My Google notebook on Blacks and the GOP).

At the height of his popularity, I called Bill Clinton a cracka in a suit on USENET and I caught hell. I said the same thing in a barbershop, after I stated how Bill Clinton wasn't as good for Blacks as people said, and pointed out EXACTLY how he mistreated Lani Guiner and Joycelin Elder, and I received no push back.

( I have at least a 10 year Internet history of "Democrat bashing" to back me up).

I'm going to state things how I see them. I'm going to state information as I know it to be. In the process, I'm going to give the respect that I want to receive. I do turn on the heat, however, when partisans continually push things that, IMO, is crap, and shows disrespect of me or Black people in general. But, that's another topic.

What I emphasized, I think and have said so, is the key. I try to give respect. From what I've seen, public Black conservatives, for the most part, do not show respect for Black people, unless the Black people are conservatives. That has been the basis for questioning when I hear or read about Black Republicans catching heat. I have to wonder what else has gone on that has not been said.

Lack of respect is:

• Saying Blacks are on a plantation.
• Saying Blacks are subject to group think, when being part of a party, regardless of race, is group think, and on the larger level, adhering to the rules of the society that you live in is group think.
• Saying Blacks don't think for themselves.
• Saying Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican without providing any hard proof.

The Republican hero is Ronald Reagan. Why not try being positive when talking with, not to, Black people?

My name is "DarkStar". This is my strongly held opinion, and I approve of this message.

Comments

[DMG]

You got no argument from me. I think I've pretty much always liked how you debate, even when I don't agree.

I might not agree, but hell I respect you.

[MIB]

It's a free country.

However, I don't feel your position, like those of many self-identified Black Republicans, is any more substantive or plausible. You're just not as much of an a**hole about things.

[Duane]

First you say-

"I'm Black and I'm A Republican"

Then you say-

"I haven't faced the criticism for being a Republican."

And finally--

"Because as an independent..."

Seems to me that the reason why you never faced any criticism for being Republican is because up to this point (from what I have read from you over the years) you have never admitted being a Republican when asked directly.

Because as an independent, I've said harsh things about Democrats and haven't received heat over it WHEN I PREFACE THE CRITICISM WITH FACTS THAT CAN'T BE DENIED.

I think there are some major assumptions being made here--one being that all Democrats are rational. Today (9/4/08), I can point you to numbers of popular websites/blogs where you will be smacked down regardless of how many "facts" you bring to the table. Beyond the Internet, there are folks I know personally (besides the two bruthas I wrote about) that will piss on you and facts simply because you identify yourself as either a conservative or Republican. In many ways, facts are like jellybeans--some folks like the orange ones, but hate the green ones. Very few accept the whole bowl as-is. As humans, we tend to gravitate towards those "facts" that support our POV. Those that do not usually get ignored or played down with another fact. Now, is this typical of all Democrats? Certainly not. There are many Democrats out there who are open-minded enough to consider all the facts and make up their own minds. You'll find the same dynamics amongst Republicans as well.

What I have found to be very unfortunate is that the non-rational (when it comes to politics) dominate Black media. TV One opts out of providing coverage of the RNC, Blackvoices.com highlights a Black Republican on the front page by calling her a "flack". The same site also has a web poll asking the question "Are you a closet Republican?". There is another very popular Black website that used the title "Ho, Sit Down" for its article on Palin. Most of our own morning shows regularly crack jokes about Republicans (especially Black ones). On, and on, and on. All of this goes on on the regular with little or no push back from the Black community. Janks Morton (the producer of the film "What Black Men Think"--a film that dispels many of the myths about Black men and Black folks in general) is getting more play on the conservative circuit than on some of our Black media outlets like BET or TV One. He also told me that much of the push back he is getting on radio stations comes from Liberals. I guess presenting the facts wasn't good enough.

Why not try being positive when talking with, not to, Black people?

The problem here is that it is very subjective. What may be dogging out Black people to you is seen as encouragement by other Blacks. Case in point, Bill Cosby.

Bottom line, it appears that you are trying to belittle or minimize the flack Black Republicans or conservatives get because of their POV. But again, based on what I have seen up until this point, you have always identified yourself as "independent". Labels may be your thing, but that is not the case for many folks out there (especially in this election season) who have made this election an up or down vote for Black progress. Explain why you identify yourself as a Republican and not a Democrat. Now you're cooking with gas.

In the 4+ years writing on my site, I can't tell you the amount of e-mails and comments I've received from folks calling my ethnicity into question--not because of anything I said, but simply because I identify myself as a conservative and I disagree with them politically. I only mentioned my latest encounter because what these bruthas did went completely way over the top. On the flip, I have debated many Democrats without either of us having to question each others loyalty to race.

You easily listed the offenses committed by Black Republicans/conservatives towards the general Black population. In your view, what are the offenses committed against Black Repub/consvr.? Or do you believe that they exist?

There is more I could say here, but I will leave it at that for now.

[DarkStar]

I did it in November, but "came out" in Feb

I've been reading more and more about the crap Black Republicans receive and I keep maintaining there is more to it that isn't being said. So, actually starting in January, I've been saying I'm Republican to see what happens.

I think there are some major assumptions being made here--one being that all Democrats are rational.

Duane, I've come across a good share of irrational Democrats, and Republicans, and generally, from my point of view, the strong partisans tend to be irrational. I still hold the belief that "conservative" vs "liberal" is a "debate" Blacks can't afford to be involved in precisely because it opens the door to irrationalality. (yes, I just used dem/repub lib/conserv interchangeably and I know it's wrong, but allow the shorthand).

On the Black morning talks shows, you are correct. Armstrong Williams is regularly on regional(?) THe Russ Parr Show and Russ and Armstrong have good strong debate. Russ also said that when Armstrong ran into trouble over not saying he was receiving money to support vouchers, Russ was the first person to call Armstrong and support him. Armstrong said right there it was fact and thanked him. Armstrong now, vs. way in the past, is radically different. Now, to me, Armstrong is trying to get his point across vs. just trying to throw bombs. This change, from what I can see, started when he was on BET.

Shannon Reeves is a guest on The Tom Joyner Morning Show more and more and he knows the jokes are coming (they jone on everyone anyway) and handles it well while making his point.

Look, it's not fair, but it is what it is. We have to deal with it and move on. One of the things that really irks me is the mantra to "stop whining" but then the need to turn around and whine about the treatment, especially when, to me, the treatment is mostly deserved based on what public Black conservatives/Republicans say.

Bottom line, it appears that you are trying to belittle or minimize the flack Black Republicans or conservatives get because of their POV.

No, I'm tired of the whining.

I'm tired of the straight up lies as if all opposition is not based in fact. I'm tired of some public Black AND white Republicans saying there are issues the GOP needs to address and that just getting ignored.

Yes, there is a need for people to be fair in the exchange of ideas, and I have focused on the 'right' side, but I know old school Black Dems are ripe for the picking and I know it isn't necessarily "liberal" policies that are being supported, it's the Dem politicians who are brought out.

I've stated before that I don't agree with the name calling towards Black Republicans/conservatives. And what I've said is that some of that can change if the targets modify tactics AND maybe call out fools like Jesse Lee Peterson. Hell, Marion Barry called out Jesse Jackson, Sr years ago when he said, "Jesse don't know how to run anything except his mouth!"

When Dems are invited to speak, Republicans should be given the chance to speak as well, but I think the Tavis Smiley "Black America" forums were an excellent example of showing what happens when the invitations are put out there.

[Duane]

No, I'm tired of the whining.

Who exactly is whining. Am I to assume that you are referring to me (after all, according to you this was a response to what I wrote on my site)?

Look, it's not fair, but it is what it is. We have to deal with it and move on.

Most conservatives I know do. The problem is whenever the treatment is mentioned, its called "whining".

[DarkStar]

I'm not saying you're whining, but a popular refrain for Black conservatives/Republican across the 'net is about the treatment of them by other Blacks. But, again, they are the same ones saying Blacks shouldn't whine about racism.

More later...