Why I Am a Black Republican"

Why I Am a Black Republican"
The head of New York City's largest Republican club is Lolita Jackson, a Black woman. She shares with NiaOnline the story of how she joined the GOP and why she believes Democrats are taking Blacks for granted


I am a Republican.

As a Black woman, I elicit strong reactions from both Blacks and Whites when I say those words. People make broad assumptions about my racial pride, political awareness, core beliefs, and intellect. Nevertheless, I have been a Republican for 19 years--my entire adult life--and the decision was entirely my own. My family members are all registered Democrats.

How did I become a Republican? That identity certainly wasn't fed to me with a silver spoon. I spent part of my childhood in New Jersey on public assistance, and the public school system was borderline abysmal. Still, I was determined to use education to lift myself out of my circumstances, even though no one else in my surrounding family had attended a four-year college.

When I was accepted into three Ivy League colleges, the nastiness began. Many people, including teachers (who were White), began to say openly that I'd obtained admission only because I was Black. All of these people considered themselves to be "liberal," yet affirmative action was OK only if it did not affect their favored White students. I was feeling the wrath of, as President George Bush has put it, the "the soft bigotry of low expectations."

The patronization and condescension of White liberals, many of whom were Democrats, was so off-putting that I decided to see what alternatives were out there. That, plus the fact that if you were Black, you weren't allowed to question Jesse Jackson's 1984 run for president, made me realize that I had to think independently.

I discovered that the Republican Party was for education and opportunity--and that if I had the same tools as everyone else, I could challenge myself and better my situation. I took to the concept that I didn't have to think of myself as a victim just because I'm Black.

These realizations cemented my decision to register as a Republican at the age of 18.

At the same time, I decided to take charge of my circumstances. I attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and eventually became a vice president at one of the top firms on Wall Street.

Meanwhile, it appeared to me that the Democratic Party was taking the Black vote for granted. While it has become fashionable to vilify the Republican Party for all that ails the Black community, we need to hold the Democratic Party accountable.

Many of our cities were led by Democratic mayors and represented by Democratic congressmen for a long time. Some of these long-term officials are still in office. If you live in one of these areas, have you seen real change during the Democrats' tenure? If so, was it based on specific actions they've taken for the community?

We as Black folks cannot continue to hand over our vote to elected officials who are not delivering for us. The Black vote is seen as not in play, which is why most officials are now fervently attempting to learn Spanish. The diversity of the Hispanic community guarantees that their collective voice will be heard because they do not vote as a monolith, as the Black community does. (In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, 90 percent of Blacks voted for the Democratic candidate.)

Until we engage in heated questioning and effective dialogue--with both parties--we will not get ahead. Holding Republican feet to the fire is fine. The key is that the Democrats should be held just as accountable, and any positive actions taken by Republicans for Blacks should not be dismissed; they should be acknowledged.

Ensuring that Black children have a chance to receive a quality education, after-school tutoring, and resources to give them a leg up are goals that all of us should embrace. The chance for your children to attend a different school if their current school is not meeting their needs is a fundamental Republican belief--and such failing schools directly affect many Black children.

School choice is also a concept that two-thirds of Black Americans ages 18 to 25 believe in, according to the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Rather than immediately dismiss ideas because they are presented by Republicans, we need to look at how our community is affected and judge ideas on their merits alone.

Whether you are a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat or an Independent, I ask you to consider each candidate--whether for school board, city council, state senate, or governor--on his or her individual record and not solely based on party. I have voted for Democrats when I felt their agenda fit mine more precisely than that of the Republican candidates, because I am a critical thinker. As a community, we need to make sure we consistently back the candidate and platform that best serve our interests.

In my case, especially where I live in Manhattan, it is the Republican Party--without question--that has enacted practical policies. Targeted crime reduction and the advent of active enterprise zones have positively affected the Black community, and these are core Republican beliefs and ideals.

I have been fortunate enough to live under a number of Republican local and state elected officials at various times during the past 13 years, and my neighborhood is infinitely better and safer because of it. I am smart enough to acknowledge that fact by giving them my vote. Make sure you are giving your vote to the person who will serve you best.

What do you think of Jackson's assertion that the Democratic Party takes its Black constituency for granted? Do you agree or disagree with her that the GOP has better answers for improving the lives of Black people? Is it possible for African-Americans to promote positive change from within the Republican Party, or is that approach naive? Share your views in the comments section below.



--Lolita Jackson, 37, is the first Black president of the Metropolitan Republican Club, which is the largest Republican club in New York City. She was an alternate delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention

Old article but thought it was a must post!