African Americans are going to the polls in a record number to support the
Republican party, exceeding the 1970s hope of obtaining the desired 20
percent (of the black vote) putting the party in a dominate seat in American
politics. Well, actually that's a pretty damn large fantasy. African
Americans are still in great support for the Democratic Party (only a meager
9 percent are Republicans) but at one time things were different.
African Americans once gathered in great numbers in support of Lincoln's
party. After all, it was under Lincolns watch that slavery was abolished and
it was under Republican control when amendments 13, 14 and 15 were passed
(thanks in great part to Michigan's own Republicans, Zachariah Chandler and
William Meritt Howard). This amazing support was only threatened during the
New Deal era when FDR asked African Americans to honor Lincoln but to turn
his picture toward the wall on Election Day. Many took his advice but most
that did also turned Abes photo back around. It was only in 1964 with the
civil rights act that most African Americans took honest Abe off their wall.
What must also be added to this abbreviated history is that 40 years later
Republicans are hoping that when African Americans took Lincolns picture
down they set it in a drawer and not in the waste basket. Now -perhaps more
than ever - Republicans are determined to see Lincolns picture placed back
on their wall.
There are certainly some signs for optimism. A new generation of African
American leaders has emerged who are less passionately tied to the Democrats
than their fathers and are less inclined to fall prey to the race baiting
strategies of the past. This new leadership is also tuned in to many
Republican principles - such as positions on the economy, morality, and
education.
While democrats are faced with these new circumstances they must figure out
new ways - beyond just reminding African American voters about Republican
opposition to Affirmative Action - to maintain the status quo. With the rise
of this new and less democratically attached generation of African
Americans, Republicans have a better opportunity to explain the benifits of
conservative policies.
In present time African American conservatives have contributed greatly to
the Republican party and the conservative movement. It should then be clear
that furthering African American participation would improve both the party
and the movement even more.
Such a stance has been advocated by Kevin Fobbs - a conservative who holds
the vice chair of the Michigan Republican Committee. Hes personally tackled
these issues and has continued to express the relevance of conservative
policies to African Americans. Fobbs says the Republican stance on crime,
education, affirmative action, and culture are better for African Americans
in the long run. Liberals, who have declared their selves the protectors of
the African American community, have continuously portrayed criminals as
victims of a racist criminal justice system thus supporting policies that
put them back out onto the streets to commit more crimes. With blacks being
victimized by criminals more than any other racial group, this affects them
greatly by putting them at a greater risk of being victimized. Conservative
ideas on education also benefit blacks who have devoted much time to instill
a belief in education into their children only to be trapped in failing
schools with no choice but to remain there because of liberal policies.
Fobbs contends that Affirmative Action is also a liberal failure, which was
established as a quick fix with little long-term benefits for African
Americans. He says that implicit in this idea is that the student or job
applicant would not be hired or allowed admission, but for this program.
Black parents have worked hard to fulfill Martin Luther King's advice and
avoid placing the clouds or inferiority into the mental skies of their
children, only to have it done for them by liberal policies.
I agree with Mr. Fobbs that conservative policies are better for all of us
in the long run (regardless of race). After all, despite our differences, we
all care for the success of our families and children and it is Conservative
principles that secure these the best. The most important step for
conservatives is to articulate how these principles and policies benefit
everyone.
Sadly, when I look around Wayne States campus, I see little sign that this
mission is being carried through. Im left here asking, "Where, oh where is
that Grand Old Party?
Printed Southend Nov. 22, 2002
