The failure of Black Conservatives in Modern Society

by Greg Thrasher

The failure of the politics of conservative thought in the Black community has never been a surprise for me. I have always known that black people are very astute in rejecting backward ideas, underdeveloped thoughts and philosophies. The media fiction that the GOP and conservative principles are gaining a new foothold with Black folks is nonsense and is nothing more than the exaggerated press releases of GOP balloon blowers and black apologists seeking affirmation from conservative whites as they mine the lucrative cottage industry of black conservatism.

Conservatives, when they dressed themselves in black face, become even of a more losing proposition because this partnership only insults the audience the conservatives wish to recruit and indoctrinate.

It should, however, be pointed out that the failure of conservative politics in the Black community is not based entirely on the underdeveloped core themes and ideas of conservative politics nor on the legacy of its racists beliefs as marketed by white republicans. Some of the failure of conservative thinking in the ‘hood is a direct result of Black folks who have embraced conservatism as a panacea for the ills of black folks as manta from heaven .

Black conservatives are always their own worst victim in this parade. Black conservatives continue to display a patronizing and condensing posture
when they interact with those who are not card caring members of the GOP. In addition these Black operatives never seem to get passed touting the usual Black token darlings of the GOP.

It should be noted that the very ideals of some conservative principles have existed in the Black community long before whites even entered the soil of North America. Black conservatives who have embraced conservative politics fail miserably in the black community because they are viewed as
agents of a political philosophy that at it's core has contempt for black dignity and humanity.

Black conservatives simply cannot navigate around the ugly legacy of white racism so when black conservatives seek to uplift and elevate black masses with the failed themes of conservative politics, they look like minstrels and fools to the majority black electorate. The truth is, of course, liberal political ideology and conservative ideology both are on their last days in the black community as
neither has been effective in truly changing the life conditions of the majority of Black Americans.

Black cultural traditions and our very essence, as a people, have liberated us from the obstacles that life has brought us in America and not the partnership with whites marketing political dogma from either side of the aisle, right or left. The Black electorate has always been vulnerable to the prospects of a movement which values and respects the vast cultural and social capital the Black community has. Liberal conventions have at least offered some basic features which have
contributed to the well being of Black folks in this country. Of course none of us are enshrining white liberals as our saviors or liberators - we have done that ourselves and no doubt we will continue to be our own icons and legends.

Black people generally are not obsessed with politics nor do they view the political arena as being an integral aspect of their lives. Our greatest assets have always been outside the traditional mainstream orthodoxies. Black folks will embrace a political construct that has them at the core of it's paradigm. We are hungry for a new meal with a menu full of new recipes and ideas. Black conservatives would be best suited if they were the primal beginning of a new political movement,
one which is without the legacy of white supremacy nor the result of white architecture. The question is, where is the origin of this fertile spring? It is apparent that the stream of conservative dogma and propaganda has never truly flowed with our interests at heart....

Greg Thrasher, Director PLANE
IDEAS

He can be reached at planeidea@msn.com