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Black conservatism
Black conservatism is an international political and social movement rooted in communities of African descent that aligns largely with the conservative movement. It emphasizes patriotism, independence and self-help, free enterprise, and strong cultural conservatism within the context of black Church.
OverviewOne of the main characteristics of black conservatism is its emphasis on personal choice and responsibilities. In the tradition of African American politics and intellectual life, black conservatives tend to side with Booker T. Washington as contrasted with W.E.B. DuBois. For many black conservatives, the key mission is to bring repair and success to the Black community by applying the following fundamental principles:
Black conservative may find common ground with Black Nationalists through their common belief in black empowerment and the theory that black people have been duped by the Welfare state. On the other hand, some of the policies advocated by Black conservatives are in conflict with some of the key points in the common social, economic, and political positions that a high percentage of African-Americans favor. For example, black conservatives typically oppose affirmative action which is supported by the vast majority of African American communities. They tend to argue that efforts to obtain reparations for slavery are either misguided or counter-productive. Moreover, black conservatives - especially black Republicans - are often accused of being Uncle Toms. Ebony in their May 2001 "100+ Most Influential Black Americans" issue, did not include a number of influential African Americans such as Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Armstrong Williams, Walter Williams and, most notably, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The Economist, a British libertarian-leaning magazine, described the exclusion of Thomas from the list as spiteful.http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9905608 Black Republican favour integration of African Americans into mainstream America and, consequently, are openly hostile to notions of Black nationalism. Black republican are more inclined to support economic policies promoting Republican agenda such as globalization, free-trade and tax cuts, which much black communities might seen it as irrelevant. Black conservatives and Black RepublicansThe term "Black Republican" was coined by Democrats in 1854 to describe the newly-formed Republican Party. Though the majority of Republicans at the time were actually white, the Republican Party was founded by abolitionists generally supported racial equality. Southern Democrats used the term as one of derision, believing that a Lincoln victory in 1860 would lead to widespread slave revolts. The use of the term continued after the Civil War to reflect most Southerners' opinions of the Radical Republicans during Reconstruction.[2] Over the next century, the term "Black Republican" would come to refer specifically to blacks affiliated with or voting for the Republican Party and is now a subset of the broader movement of black conservatism. According to a 2004 study 13.7% of blacks identified as "Conservative" or "Extremely Conservative"[3] with another 14.4% identifying as slightly conservative. However the same study indicated less than ten percent identified as Republican or Republican leaning in any fashion. Likewise, a recent Pew Research Center survey showed that 19% of blacks identify as Religious Right.[4] In 2004 the Pew Research Center indicated only 7% of blacks identify as Republican.[5] Hence a certain percentage of noted Black conservatives (such as Harold Ford Jr.) are likely connected to the Democrats for Life of America movement or economic liberalism. From Reconstruction up until the New Deal the black population tended to vote Republican as 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 segregation and the Republican Party's roots in the abolitionist movement (See Dixiecrats for more on this). Blacks started to shift in significant numbers to the Democrats with the election of Franklin Roosevelt,[6] whose New Deal particularly benefited economically disadvantaged minority communities and helped forge the New Deal coalition which dominated American politics for the next 30 years, and continued with the election of John F. Kennedy, an Irish-Catholic Democrat who pioneered racial equality legislation while in office, resulting in a flight of conservative Democrats in the South to the Republican Party. Another case study of differences between Black conservatives and Black Republicans is an emphasis on personal empowerment versus theological perspectives. Black Republicans like Colin Powell hold to the social ideas articulated by the early Radical Republicans like Frederick Douglass while at the same time supporting the self-empowerment message of Booker T. Washington. Many social conservatives who are black and Republican hold to a biblically based empowerment although they also appreciate Booker's emphasis on personal accomplishment. Conservatives like the Texas minister T. D. Jakes are evangelical African Americans who support policies more in common but not totally in line with many white Evangelicals. Black Conservatism WorldwideBlack Conservatism in the United KingdomWhile there was an early link in the eighteenth century between Black Britions, mainly former slaves, and the abolitionist conservatives who sucsessfully sought the end of the slave trade in 1807 many Black Britons have not traditionally supported conservative policies. This in some part emerged from the Conservative hostillity to immigration from the Commonwealth during the 1950s and 1960s, culminating in the infamous speech by a leading Conservative Enoch Powell, in which he predicted mass immigration would lead to "a river of blood". Despite this there has long been a small number of conservative blacks. In recent years the Conservatives have attempted to undo the long-standing conservative prejudices, by attacking racism and trying to cultivate more of a following amongst the black community. Increasingly more black and ethnic minority figures are being appointed and elected to positions within the Conservative Party. Notable black Conservatives in the United Kingdom include Lord Taylor of Warwick,[7] Adam Afriyie MP,[8] Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones[9] and James Cleverly,[10] a member of the London Assembly. Boxer Frank Bruno has also been a vocal supporter of the Conservative Party. Black Conservatism in the CarribeanBlack conservatives and black churchesThe African American church has traditionally been an important element to social and political movements in the community. In general these have been identified by figures of the Left or liberalism, like Jesse Jackson, but this is not consistently true. On issues concerning homosexuality Black Protestants are more socially conservative than other groups exempting White Evangelicals. http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?PageID=757 Their view on the issue of homosexual teachers changed less than any other segment based on religion or race.
Notable black conservatives in the United StatesUnited States politicians
United States judges
Talk show hosts
Columnists
Athletes and entertainers
Other
Fictional black conservativesBlack conservative organizations
See alsoReferences
External links
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