An Introduction to the “New” Black Conservative Movement; Liberals and Democrats be Afraid, be very Afraid…We’re not What or Who You Think!

By Rich Drew

(This essay is specifically directed at Liberals, Democrats, and Disenchanted Black Americans)

For decades now the Black Conservative movement has been disparaged and discouraged much as the Black Conservative himself has been the object of ridicule and repudiation by those on the left and democrats alike. For no other reason then having a different opinion and approach to repairing and restoring what is broken and missing in the lives of at least two generations of black Americans in particular but Americans in general as well. From current U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to current U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, black conservatives have been ostracized and maligned, and even regarded as anti-black, by liberal blacks and whites, for simply framing an alternative view out of real concern and a real appreciation for black Americans and black culture, in contrast to that advocated and dictated by liberals and the Democratic Party. Oh, and don’t be a republican too! Then even white liberal elitists like Gloria Allred get the green-light, awarded by so-called black leaders to attack black conservatives like Clarence Thomas by branding them house Negroes and Uncle Toms as she in fact made reference to Justice Thomas and the first black U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General, Colin Powell (more on the house Negro Uncle Tom reference and comparison to Black Conservatives in a moment).

Moreover it is claimed, predominately by black academics, politicians, and pundits, that the black conservative is not pro-black empowerment nor supportive of the black community from which most black conservatives hail. As ridiculous as this may sound and is, black conservatives are dismissed for not being black enough by not fittingly identifying (according to those making the charge) with the black experience in America. When in reality they view us as not black enough because we don’t accept liberalism’s posit that we (black Americans) are inherently inferior to white people and can only advance in this society with the aid of Government assistance and intervention. From birth to burial, government reliance and dependency is the gospel preached and incessantly encouraged by liberals and democrats. For anyone acquainted with liberalism surely knows, the idea government is the lone solution to solving our country’s problems is in short, the logical extension and outworking of the liberal’s and modern Democratic Party’s social and political philosophies and platform. Whereas conservatives such as myself believe the government that governs least, governs best.

With that said, I’d like to briefly illustrate some of the fundamental differences in approach to several issues negatively affecting many black Americans, between liberals and black conservatives, as well as confront the aforementioned charges leveled against black conservatives by their black liberal antagonists.

To a great extent, I think liberals and conservatives can both acknowledge and agree there are serious problems with government education in this country. Whether it’s the government bureaucracy entrenched in our education system, the billions of dollars poured into a system that has produced little results for all the public money spent, soaring drop out rates, or the widening of the achievement gap, or other contributing factors attributable to the decline of education, the actuality is, education in this country and particularly in inner-city America is now and has been for decades, in a state of critical condition grossly in need of resuscitation. Additionally there appears to be a great disconnect with our elected officials as to what should be done about the current state of our public education system. Despite their acknowledging there is a problem with education, democrats and liberals are nonetheless delusional about the nature of the problem in education, which in my estimation is two-fold, part government involvement, and part liberal democrat policy making. I mean for starters can someone please show me where in our Constitution the word education is mentioned or even alluded to? Of course not, see for yourself, it’s not there! But considering government has done such an incredible job with other government social programs such as health care, social security, welfare, the war on drugs, and hurricane Katrina to name a few governmental failures, why not allow government to lend its helping hand to fix education too? Speaking of hurricane Katrina, maybe if Congress would focus its attention on its Constitutional responsibilities instead of wasting our precious time trying to pass legislation to name destructive hurricanes after so-called “traditionally black names” (I’m sorry Ms. Jackson Rep-TX), perhaps the local and state elected officials of Louisiana and Mississippi would’ve been better prepared for what the rest of the nation knew was looming. But no, looking forward to the havoc and destruction reaped by hurricane Laquita (which no doubt would have been made into a race issue by the same people wanting hurricanes named after black people) is of far more importance then lowering taxes or providing much needed defense funding for our troops currently in harms way in Iraq and Afghanistan. Silly liberals, so well-intentioned, so for the poor and the oppressed, the downtrodden and the disenfranchised, such complete BS.

For example in 2000, California democrats and liberals crushingly rejected proposition 38, a school voucher initiative, by a near 3 to 1 margin. Not because proposition 38 wouldn’t have afforded many of the same poor and downtrodden they claim to represent, the access and opportunity to a better education (because it would’ve), but because liberals and democrats, black and white simply wanted to maintain the status quo to the delight of their teachers unions and democrat school official cronies. Great for them, terrible for parents like me. Particularly when poll after poll has shown, black parents (including me) overwhelmingly support school choice, especially when there isn’t one. What parent would choose to have their son or daughter bussed 30 to 40 miles away from home and their community to attend a school when there’s one right across the street or around the corner from their home? So liberals and democrats can feel good about themselves for promoting diversity at the expense of my child’s education? I don’t think so! And who wants to send their child to the school across the street or some other failing school in the same district anyway? Again black people and other American families want and in many cases desperately need school choice, but as usual, the liberals and democrats running education know better than you and I. As I write, California Democratic legislators are seriously considering the banning of the cheap (about $.50) but widely in use incandescent light bulb in favor of requiring ALL Californians to use the much more energy efficient compact fluorescent light-bulb ($15.00 at Walmart). This notion and the perception democrats and liberals really give a damn about the poor is nothing less than a well orchestrated fabrication or flat out lie! Sure I know the fluorescent light-bulbs are more energy efficient and cost effective, but that’s not the point! I also know better than to think a lot of these democrat led policies are all well-intentioned. I’ve been on the phone with these officials time and time again, asking the same questions, why aren’t all government schools standardized, why do the inner-city schools get more government funding than suburban schools and yet the suburban schools continue to outperform? They say it’s the parents lack of involvement, the neighborhoods are bad, schools are overcrowded, and on and on and on! Well if parental involvement or the lack thereof is a major part of the problem (and it is), then where are all the billboards and commercials, the public service announcements, where is the shame? Where is the Jesse and Al show, the Congressional Black Caucus and the NAACP? Same with the neighborhoods and school over crowdedness, where are the local police, S.W.A.T, the FBI, the DEA or ATF to rebuff and clear out the everyday occurrences of violence and crime in these crime infested communities? Why should gangbanging or drug dealing be tolerated or treated any different in the hood then it is in Beverly Hills or Simi Valley? And who says illegal immigration hasn’t had a detrimental effect on black students or is not a factor if not thee factor as to why our schools are overcrowded in the first place? The government school my children attend is 90% Latino. This is no doubt due for the most part to, illegal immigration. Of course the propaganda from the left suggest otherwise, but hey lets not let the facts get in the way of our feelings right? Sorry liberals but the fact is illegal immigration is hurting all Americans to be sure but especially black Americans. In fact blacks have recently been targeted by Latino gang members (many of whom are here illegally), to kill on sight any black person, regardless if they’re in a gang, a child, or just walking down the street. Of course, liberals and democrats don’t want to face these harsh realities because doing something about the illegal immigration issue could cost them their future constituency in the event black people smarten up and leave the democratic plantation.

So when is enough enough? When are people going to get it? When are we (Black Americans) going to get it? When terrorists strike our shores? When we strike ourselves to the point of no recognition and irrelevancy? When we get to the point most black men are incarcerated or deceased? Why should Adams and Crenshaw or Florence and Normandie be any less graffiti ridden then Wilshire and Rodeo or Topanga Canyon and PCH? Particularly when there’s a mega-church right up the street! But that’s another story for another day, but still very much tied to the problem here. Same community, same liberal leaders, same liberal preachers, same broken windows, and more of the same broken promises, and not a damn thing has changed. Enough already.

Among the many problems potent in the black community, real or perceived: neighborhoods plagued by high rates of poverty and unemployment, crime and graffiti, the high rate of incarceration of black men in proportion to the general population, substandard K-12 education and college preparation, the breakdown of the family, lack of self-worth and self-confidence, little freedom to think and act outside the black group authority, the lack of chivalry and the constant degradation of women in clubs, on the street, or in hip hop music and hip hop culture, brothers on the down-low, HIV/AIDS, black inferiority, the toleration and glorification of gangbanging and drug culture, the indefensible belief that “snitching” or reporting a crime committed against blacks by blacks is worse then the actual crime committed itself (even in situations involving the murder of black people by black people) the constant devaluation of education, inequality, discrimination and racism, the lack of real spiritual leadership, pick your poison, cause there’s plenty to go around. But through it all, Black people historically have always turned to our leaders to raise local and national awareness on such issues to the rest of the nation. From Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth to Malcolm and Martin, and the early days of the NAACP, black leadership when it’s been needed has been strong, deliberate, effective, and greatly respected. Unfortunately it looks as though history hasn’t been so fond of repeating itself when looking at the current class of black leadership before us today.

Truth is, the present-day rank of “Black Leadership” is a far cry and of a completely different sort from those who came before them. That vanguard of black leadership had genuine conviction for all the right reasons. The nowadays wannabe “Black Leaders” these days not only make a total mockery of racism, but the Civil Rights Movement itself. And they were actually there! Have they all been stricken with a severe case of collective amnesia, forgetting what they were valiantly marching and protesting for? Is the Civil Rights Movement so far removed from black culture and this society that we can no longer distinguish the heroes of the past from the zeros of today? There is absolutely no comparison in character or courage or any other capacity of that of Frederick Douglas or Dread Scott to the likes of Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. These two along with the modern NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, and others, have been nothing more than enablers and black advocate pretenders. These individuals and organizations alone have done more to diminish the countless accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement and caused more damage and harm to the black Community they make-believe they serve, through their blatant sin of omission then the Klan ever did or could do through the commission of their egregious sin. It sure isn’t the Klan you have to worry about today as much as it is the Crips and the Bloods, or some other self-loathing idiotic gang, that’s who’s killing black people today – other black people! Where’s the proposed hate-crime legislation for blacks hating and killing other blacks? Are these gangbangers actually killing one another and innocent others over control of the colors in the rainbow? Do these domestic terrorists comprehend the streets and neighborhoods they terrorize are under the regulation of the city, county, and state? But thanks to democratic policies and practices who would ever have known? It’s not the Klan doing drive-bys in many of our communities each and every night! And for those of you, who erroneously believe the hype that black on black crime and murder is the long lasting effect of slavery, then please explain to me why I or you if you happen to be a black American haven’t committed a crime and killed someone today? Because most of us don’t murder, and most black people don’t commit crime. Most black people are neither poor or on government relief. But let some tell it and others show it and we think it, we all are!

The year is 2007, black Americans are not only making tremendous strides and gains thanks to the many opportunities that abound, but even running for the highest and most powerful office in the land if not the world. Yes he’s another Left leaning Democrat, so no he won’t get my vote, but Barack Obama whether he recognizes it or not, is merely one materialization of the successful seeds planted long ago by the forerunners of the Civil Rights Movement and those who courageously stood and protested and even gave their lives during the Civil Rights Movement.

But let the so called progressive black leaders today tell it, NOTHING HAS CHANGED! And people around this country think what radio shock jock Imus said was offensive and outrageous? What a disgrace these contemporary black leaders are. What a slap in the face to those who sacrificed so much as well as their lives for freedom and black progress in this country. Now these Uncle Tom house Negro puppets, aided and abetted by their liberal and democrat masters, are doing everything within the power they’ve been given, to strip us of those freedoms, including the freedom of choice and self-determination. Not only are they slowly shredding away the freedoms of black Americans but all Americans. And can someone please tell me (because I certainly didn’t get the memo), when black people acquired the rights and ownership to the term “nappy?” What about the White people, Brown people, Jewish people, or any people for that matter that has nappy (coarse or hard to comb) hair? Furthermore, at what point in time and history did the term or word “nappy” become synonymous with words like n-gger, coon, spic, or kike? Again I repeat, this band of black leaders make a mockery of racism and the Civil Rights Movement many of them once took part in. And is it just me, but doesn’t the name of Jesse’s organization (Rainbow Push Coalition) imply he’s about helping all people of all colors who experience injustice and discrimination? So maybe instead of defending and offering a free scholarship (“don’t strip, scholarship,” his words not mine) to the now defunct Duke Lacrosse accuser, you should offer a free apology to those she falsely accused. Oh that’s right, no pay, no play for you, what am I thinking? You, Jesse Jackson who built your race baiting business through the bullying of spineless liberals and cowardly corporate executives. You sow the seed and pocket the proceeds for yourself and your shady “business associates” with the very companies you extort with accusations of racism and discrimination in return for your black blessing. Who’s the p-mp and who’s the ho Jesse at the annual Rainbow/PUSH Wall Street Conferences each and every year? Can you tell me Jesse how Toyota’s attempt to promote it’s product in a free market society targeting the hip hop community through an ad displaying a smiling black man with an image of a RAV4 embedded in his grill (gold/silver/diamond teeth covering) was in fact a racist act? For the record Jesse, RACISM is defined as the belief in the inherent inferiority of someone of another race. But perhaps this definition of racism should be expanded to include those of the same race who deem their own to be inferior based color or status, or some other superficial quantification. By definition through the policies and practices of democrats and liberals such as yourself Jesse, you would undeniably meet the criteria of a racist Jesse! You wrongfully assume we (black people) aren’t up to the task to compete with whites and other ethnic groups and you definitely aren’t doing anything to ensure we have the resources to make certain we are on a competitive level. By the way, did you also go after Source, Vibe, King, or other hip hop magazines who display the same if not worse negative images of Black people everyday? Of course not! No money to gain in that and no claim of racism either I guess because that’s hardly the issue, is it Jesse?

Oh and I cannot forget about you, the irreverent Al Sharpton. You who once publicly and repeatedly called the former and first black Mayor of New York city, David Dinkins a n-gga. You who once referred to Caucasian people as dwelling in caves (caucus mountains) while we (blacks) were building pyramids. Uh Al, those were Egyptians, are you of Egyptian decent Al? Is Strom Thurmond? You Al Sharpton who falsely accused former Assistant District Attorney Steven Pagones of raping and sodomizing Tawana Brawley. Where’s your apology? Hell, not only did you not apologize and still have not apologized, but after a jury unanimously agreed you defamed Pagones, as the rape and sodomy were later proven to be a hoax, you had your “business associates” pay your $87, 000 (penalties and interest included) fine for you. Now I’m not exactly sure if the Central Park Jogger’s hair was nappy, but you certainly had no problem referring to a woman who was brutally raped in real-life, as a ho (whore if you want to be all technical about it). Not to mention publicly declaring “the boyfriend did it!” Where is your shame and culpability for the pivotal role you played in the unnecessary deaths of eight people in the shootings and burning down of Freddy’s Fashion Mart in response to your rallies and “White interloper” remarks? And of course you were just playing along because you were scared when in 2002, HBO aired footage of an FBI surveillance video of you discussing a cocaine deal with mobster Michael Franzese and an undercover agent. Unfortunately the investigation of corruption in the boxing industry didn’t nab boxing promoter Don King who was the target of the investigation, but hey smile next time Al, you could be on candid camera again!

But we black conservatives are the house Negroes and Uncle Toms right? Most assuredly you and others have us black conservatives confused. Who’s continually talking and saying nothing, and doing nothing to better the lives of black Americans? As far as I’m concerned there’s plenty to be black and proud of, and I can’t think of another country to be proud of in, then right here in these United States of America. And yet those who pretend to promote content and character over race and color being a barrier are the very ones guilty of provoking racism, stereotypes and discrimination. The term “nappy” wasn’t an international incident until the Al and Jesse show made it one. Not only did Jesse and Al steal the Rutgers women’s basketball team’s thunder after reaching the NCAA Women’s Final, but thanks to these two blowhards, young women are even more self-conscience about their hair or some other exterior characteristic then they were before. But I commend the Rutgers women’s basketball team and young women on campuses across America who have indeed had enough, and decided on their own to take the offensive, not racist statements made by Imus, and make a statement of their own. Instead of relying on Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, misogynistic rappers, or anyone else but their capable selves, they’ve put the ball in their court and are determined to bring about change in how women are treated and regarded not just by rappers and chauvinistic men like Imus, but by us all.

The “New” Black Conservative movement is not what or who you think. We are far from beholden to the self-anointed black group authority figures who sloganize hope and push victimization. Many of us are self-educated, and many of us are scholars. We are young, black, and articulate and wise beyond our years. We read the classics as well as contemporary writ. We know our history because we study it not just heard of it. We hail in the hood as well as suburbia. Our knowledge extends further than just the street. We are former inmates, gangbangers, welfare mothers, and drop-outs. We are both community and political activists. We study and know for ourselves and not simply because someone says it’s so. We are passionate about what we believe because what we believe is based on reason, experience and evidence, not emotionalism and subjectivism. We love God and country and support our troops. Oh, and did I mention we think for ourselves?

Yes I earnestly hope this “new” black conservative movement too will be televised. To counter all the lies and the divisiveness constantly aired before our eyes. The condescension by white liberals and democrats driven by “white guilt” is not only unwarranted but utterly unwanted. black Americans helped build and shape this great nation for the better of all Americans, and now it is the time for us to rebuild us.