Black conservatism in the United States explained

In the United States, black conservatism is a political and social movement rooted in African-American communities that aligns largely with the American conservative movement, including the Christian right.[1] Black conservatism emphasizes social conservatism, traditionalism, patriotism, capitalism and free markets. What characterizes a "black conservative" has changed over time, and proponents do not necessarily share the same political philosophy.

Influential black republicans in the early 21st century who have held public office include U.S. Senator Tim Scott, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, and Cabinet secretaries Ben Carson, Condoleezza Rice, and Colin Powell. Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Armstrong Williams, Larry Elder, Walter Williams, and Jason L. Riley are among the most influential black conservative political commentators.[2]

Overview

Beliefs

One of the main characteristics of black conservatism is its emphasis on personal choice and responsibilities above socioeconomic status and institutional racism.[3] [4]

Black conservatives typically support do-for-self, self reliance, and personal responsibility. Black conservatives tend to be self-critical of aspects of African-American culture that they believe have created poverty and dependency.[5]

A 2007 Pew Research Center survey showed that 19% of blacks identified as Religious Right.[6] In 2004, though, the Pew Research Center indicated only 7% of blacks identified as Republican.[7]

A National Election Pool poll showed that support for California Proposition 8 (2008) (a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as an opposite-sex union) was strong among African-American voters; 70% of those interviewed in the exit poll—a higher percentage than any other racial group—stated that they voted in favor of Proposition 8.[8] Polls by both the Associated Press and CNN mirrored this data, reporting support among black voters to be at 70%[9] and 75%,[10] respectively. African-American support was considered crucial to the Proposition's passage because African Americans made up an unusually large percentage of voters in 2008; the presence of African-American presidential candidate Barack Obama on the ballot was believed to have increased African-American voter turnout.[11]

Historical basis

From Reconstruction up until the New Deal, the black population tended to vote Republican. During that period, the Republican Party—particularly in the Southern United States—was seen as more racially liberal than the Democratic Party, primarily because of the role of the Southern wing of the Democratic Party as the party of racial segregation and the Republican Party's roots in the abolitionist movement (see Dixiecrats).

Blacks started to shift in significant numbers to the Democrats with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt[12] and continued with the election of John F. Kennedy. Among Truman Administration officials, the publication of Henry Lee Moon's Balance of Power spurred Democratic partisan support for African-American constituencies.[13] This shift was also influenced by Herbert Hoover's practice of firing loyal African-Americans from positions within the Republican Party, in order to increase his appeal to Southern white voters.[14] This can be considered an early example of a set of Republican Party methods that were later termed the Southern Strategy.[15]

Timeline of events

This is a timeline of significant events in African-American history that have shaped the conservative movement in the United States.

1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s

African-American conservative politicians

See also: List of African-American Republicans.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

South Dakota

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Other people

United States judges

TV personalities, authors and journalists

Military

Columnists

Athletes and entertainers

Education and business

Civil rights, abolitionists and activists

Organizations

See also

Further reading

External links

Organizations

Notes and References

  1. Book: Diamond . Sara . Facing the Wrath: Confronting the Right in Dangerous Times . 1996 . Common Courage Press . 978-1-56751-078-2 . 96 . English . Christian Right activists allied with black conservatives to make their causes appear more mainstream across racial and class lines. In this vein, the Family Research Council (the lobbying affiliate of Focus on the Family) recently named as vice-president Kay Cole James, a black anti-abortion activist..
  2. News: 2007-10-04 . Lexington: The school of very hard knocks . The Economist . 2011-05-17.
  3. News: Wright Rigueur . Leah . 15 February 2015 . The Forgotten History of Black Republicans . The Daily Beast . New York City . 30 March 2017 .
  4. For an overview of these themes, see Stan Faryna, Brad Stetson, and Joseph G. Conti, Eds., Black and Right: The Bold New Voice of Black Conservatives in America, (Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997)
  5. Book: Brian Greenberg. Linda S. Watts. Richard A. Greenwald. Gordon Reavley. Alice L. George. Scott Beekman. Cecelia Bucki. Mark Ciabattari. John C. Stoner. Troy D. Paino. Laurie Mercier. Andrew Hunt. Peter C. Holloran. Nancy Cohen. Social History of the United States [10 volumes]. 2008. ABC-CLIO. 978-1-59884-128-2. 360.
  6. http://pewforum.org/docs/index.php?DocID=153#2 Pew Forum: Many Americans Uneasy with Mix of Religion and Politics
  7. http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=750 Part 1: Party Affiliation: The 2004 Political Landscape
  8. News: Exit Poll Shows Blacks, Hispanics Overwhelmingly Backed Prop. 8 . November 5, 2008 . . March 29, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120917230950/http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/exit-poll-shows-blacks-hispanics-overwhelmingly-ba/nKXyL/ . September 17, 2012 .
  9. News: 70% of African Americans backed Prop. 8, exit poll finds . Latimesblogs.latimes.com . 2008-11-05 . 2013-11-01.
  10. News: Local Exit Polls – Election Center 2008 – Elections & Politics from . CNN.com . 2013-11-01.
  11. News: Focused beyond marriage . Los Angeles Times . 2008-11-06 . 2013-11-01 . Dan . Morain . Jessica . Garrison.
  12. Web site: American President: Franklin Delano Roosevelt: The American Franchine . Millercenter.org . 2011-05-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101127014021/http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/fdroosevelt/essays/biography/8 . 2010-11-27 . dead .
  13. Book: Gilmore . Glenda Elizabeth . These United States: A Nation in the Making, 1890-Present . 2016 . W.W. Norton & Co. . New York . 9780393283075 . 24 . First.
  14. Book: Behind the Mule: Race and Class in African-American Politics. registration. 102. herbert hoover fired black republicans.. Princeton University Press. 0691025436. Dawson. Michael C.. 1995.
  15. Web site: How the party of Lincoln won over the once democratic south . History.com. September 3, 2021.
  16. Web site: Meet Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll . 2012-03-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120312170453/http://www.flgov.com/meet-the-lt-governor/ . 2012-03-12 .
  17. Web site: 'Blessed and highly favored' Byron Donalds wins election for U.S. Congressional District 19, pledges water quality No. 1 priority.
  18. Web site: Moseley . Brandon . Kenneth Paschal in HD73 special election on Tuesday . Alabama Political Reporter . 2021-07-12 . 2022-07-25.
  19. Web site: chastang . Mobile Bay Times . 2022-07-25.
  20. Web site: Sharon Jackson For Alaska . Sharon Jackson For House (24) . 2022-07-25 . 2023-01-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104195114/https://jacksonforhouse.com/ . dead .
  21. Web site: Seipel. Brooke. July 12, 2021. Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder enters California recall election against Newsom. July 12, 2021. The Hill. en.
  22. Web site: Peter Boulware . 2008-08-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828042127/http://www.voteboulware.com/ . 2008-08-28 .
  23. Web site: Former Chatham Borough Mayor Bruce Harris Named as New Member of State Planning Commission . Chatham TapInto . February 27, 2020 . March 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200327015056/https://www.tapinto.net/towns/chatham/sections/government/articles/former-chatham-borough-mayor-bruce-harris-named-as-new-member-of-state-planning-commission . March 27, 2020 . live.
  24. News: 'Ricochet' Goes Behind Scenes of Gun Lobby . 2007-11-15 . . 2007-11-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090629195130/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16324652&ft=1&f=5 . June 29, 2009 . live.
  25. http://www.nrawinningteam.com/bios99/innis.html "Roy Innis re-elected to NRA Board"
  26. News: Lynn Swann, Happy to Be on the President's Team . washingtonpost.com . 2006-08-17. 2011-05-17 . Michael A. . Fletcher.
  27. Web site: Judge Lynn Toler: Yes, I'm Republican. 24 September 2012.
  28. Web site: CNN TV - Anchors/Reporters:Amy Holmes . CNN International . 2021-09-14.
  29. , National Association http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_/ai_n13610411
  30. Web site: April 11, 2005 . The Nation . 2011-05-17.
  31. Web site: Larry Elder – Conservative Columnist and Political Commentator 2003 Column Archive . Townhall.com . 2011-05-17.
  32. Web site: WVON 1690 AM – The Talk of Chicago | Weekday Line-up . Wvon.com . 2011-05-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720024316/http://www.wvon.com/personalities/ . 2011-07-20 .
  33. Web site: Trump Calls NBC News Anchor And Fellow GOP'er Lester Holt A Democrat. NPR. 20 September 2016. Folkenflik. David.
  34. Web site: MAGA Anton Debates With A Black Liberal/Independent Veteran. November 16, 2022. YouTube.com. March 23, 2024.
  35. Web site: How Democrats & White Liberals Are Destroying The Black American People!. https://web.archive.org/web/20150807024143/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMRvas6ssq8&gl=US&hl=en . 2015-08-07 . dead. Tommy. Sotomayor. 6 August 2015. YouTube.
  36. Web site: Brigadier General Mary J. Kight . 2012-12-23 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090729093106/http://www.ng.mil/ngbgomo/library/bio/1711.htm . 2009-07-29 .
  37. Web site: Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints Brigadier General Mary J. Kight Adjutant General of the California National Guard. 2012-12-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20150530011603/http://www.129rqw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123188673. 2015-05-30. dead.
  38. News: Mary J. Kight continues to be a trailblazer . Los Angeles Times . Michael . Rothfeld . 2010-02-01.
  39. http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/General_Russell_Honore_To_Run_Vs_David_Vitter_In_Louisiana_US_Race__9439.asp General Russell Honore To Run Vs David Vitter In Louisiana US Race?
  40. http://spectator.org/blog/61650/did-you-know-ernie-banks-was-republican Did you know Ernie Banks was a Republican?
  41. News: Pareles. Jon. James Brown, the 'Godfather of Soul', Dies at 73. The New York Times. December 22, 2013. December 25, 2006.
  42. Web site: Minnesota Public Radio . Minnesota Public Radio . 2006-06-13 . 2011-05-17.
  43. Romaine . Jenna . Joy Villa Unveils Donald Trump 'Make America Great Again' Dress on the Grammy Red Carpet . . 2017-02-12 . 2017-02-12.
  44. Web site: NEWSMEAT ▷ Karl Malone's Federal Campaign Contribution Report . Newsmeat.com . 2011-05-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110622012547/http://www.newsmeat.com/sports_political_donations/Karl_Malone.php . 2011-06-22 .
  45. Benjamin, Elizabeth (2010-09-16). NFLer: Carl's no racist . Capitol Tonight. Retrieved 2010-09-16.