I’ve found myself reading articles on blacks and the conservative movement, black collective voting, and just conservatism in general. Some have especially made me think a little broader. I read an article in the Fall 2006 Public Opinion Quarterly (Vol. 70 no. 3) titled "Ideology and the Affective Structure of Whites' racial perceptions". The researchers took data from respondents that would consider themselves liberal or independent leaning to the left and conservative or independent leaning to right (those in the middle were kicked out of the research study) and attempted to mediate between the conflict between humanitism and individualism as it applies to conservative views and perceptions. The study found "that whites with a college degree and higher levels of political expertise were associated with more positive perceptions of blacks, while greater conservatism was associated with more negative perceptions of blacks." (Vol. 70 no. 3 POQ). (Just in case I will site it) but their were a lot of conflicting views and perceptions within the conservatives. Also, the results of the liberals were not mentioned. The reason I brought this up isn't necessarily the case study itself but what is our own perceptions and conflicts within ourselves? The conservatives and liberals in the study were equally sympathetic on the struggles blacks encountered during the civil rights era and prior no matter what ideology they had. The difference was that the conservatives took a more individualistic tone on blacks and the community. No special treatment needed etc.. and success comes from personal choices in this day and time. This made me think of how Bill Cosby was attacked in all directions when he made his statements for us and about us by telling black America to take a look in the mirror. It seemed that many blacks applauded him while many took shots at him and even wrote books attacking his credibility. Many blacks I have come into contact with feel the same way as the white conservatives in the survey. There seems to be a standard of being black that gets fuzzier as one turns conservative. We have the same conflicting issues in our community though we have a disproportionate ideology when looking at our voting patterns. This ties into to the article in which Lorrine Crenshaw wrote on RBE website, in which the black vote is so polarized that Russell Simmons had to do a public statement explaining to black America why he endorsed a republican, which I think is totally insane or the Tennessee Tribune listing an article of blacks in the Nashville community who do not vote with their home numbers and addresses. I know this post is a little random but it I think it is still something that we as young people should discuss.
Nathaniel Peete Jr.
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4 comments:
The perception of Black conservatives in America is a mixed one, most definitely...
But the problem isn't White America's perception of us - its ours (obviously).
Of course White conservatives were unbiased and probably indifferent to the notion of a 'perception' of Black conservatives - what is there for them to perceive? As conservatives, they feel like people should be pulling their own weight and bootstrapping anyway, so there is no special concern for Black America that would cause them to take any special care in 'perceiving' us as anything other than conservative Americans.
But White people aren't supposed to ave any special concern for the plight of Black America - that's our job.
As we know, the Black masses are still generally either politically ignorant or emotionally driven. So, conservativism is simply too practical and puts too much accountability on the individual and the family for their taste.
Personally, I got tired of begging people to love and accept me...I got tired of hudling with the (supposedly) educated masses, regarding W.E.B. DuBois as god of Civil Right ideology, and I most certainly got tired of people acting like somebody owes me and family something because we're Black.
It goes against my Christian morality to be that small minded and emotional...
but then again, that's why most of my friends and family think that I'm a "sell out".
Those who have awakened from the slumber of Black liberalism and nationalism have to band together so that our influence can become more significant...
Everybody be blessed,
I.C. Jackson
The idea of Black Conservatives is still so alien to most people that many react the way they did when Coz spoke out. The critics probably believe they are protectors of Black dignity no matter how short sighted we feel their opinions may be.
This is all about breaking new ground. If there can be channels through which more black conservatives can be heard and if bit by bit it becomes "safer" to be a black conservative then those that are in the closet will emerge, the numbers will grow and perhaps the debate will become less toxic.
That's when liberalism will start being abandoned in the black community. A delicate operation though since at the moment any wrong move results in being shouted off the stage and discarded.
k.s.,
Sometimes that's what it takes to be real.
Mason Weaver, president of the organization I affiliate with, the National United Freedom Alliance, has spoken at various colleges across the country and brings bodyguards to those speaking engagements because rowdy liberal students have been known to pelt the stage with tomatoes and garbage.
Keep it too real with friends and family in the Black community, and you become a "sell out".
But what can you do? Water down the truth and get so moderate that the message gets lost?
Not I...
and I hope not this young generation of new Black conservatives.
Everybody take care,
I.C. Jackson
stand firm.
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