Angel Roberson: Why Some Blacks are Returning to Their GOP Roots
By HHR | April 29th, 2010 | Category: Featured, Opinion/Reviews | 73 comments
By Angel Roberson
I remember watching the movie Roots, and my grandmother’s stern admonition, “Don’t you ever forget where we came from.” At the time, I had not, in my humble elementary school-aged opinion, come from very far. It would be several years later that I took a deliberate look at where “we” had come from, are at present, and the direction “we” were headed that made me realize an unfounded political love affair. As I searched out these roots, I recognized two familiar sthreads running through the cultural development of African-Americans: the powerful role of Christianity and the crippling role of Democrats from slavery to date.
Though it is not popular, it is true that history reveals that the Republican Party has a far more impressive track record in the advancement of Blacks than Democrats. The Republican Party was founded on nine planks – six of which focused on ending slavery. For 150 years, blacks were victims of terrorist attacks by Democrats and Klan supporters- attacks including lynching, beatings, rapes, and mutilations. On the issue of slavery, while Democrats gave all to expand it, Republicans gave their lives to end it. In Congress, Republicans sponsored and passed the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments – sacred to black Americans. These Amendments abolished slavery, granted citizenship and gave Blacks the right to vote. The NAACP was founded and financed by three white persons who opposed the Democrats racist practices and lynchings. In Arkansas, it was Democrat Governor Orval Faubus who blocked nine students from entering Central High opening the door for Republican President Eisenhower to send troops to enforce desegregation.
It was Republican Governor Win Rockefeller in the 1960s who began appointing blacks to key positions. Some of our key traditional Black colleges are named after white Republicans who funded and supported them while Democrats tried to destroy them. It was the Republicans who championed Civil Rights for Blacks -from the Civil Rights Act of 1875 to the Civil Rights Act of 1957 proposed by Dwight Eisenhower. The Republicans had fought hard and long to achieve Civil Rights, but were no match for the racist Democrat machine until JFK picked up the legislation and was able to help Republicans finally get the minimum bi-partisan support to pass it. Less than a half century old, this history is long forgotten by many.
However, African-Americans are looking at the deteriorating condition of our communities over the past 40 years of loyalty to one party, realizing the detrimental effect and coming to the conclusion that being on one side of the boat has caused us to nearly capsize. Take a look at where we are after 40 years of liberal policy: poor inner-city schools, welfare dependency, alarming out-of-wedlock poverty, one out of every two black babies aborted, a platform for increased crime, lower standards and widening gaps in education, increasing illiteracy and drop-out rates. We must conserve our future and a most critical key is to conserve the traditional two-parent family (not popular amongst liberals) which is the biggest deterrent to poverty and many other problems.
Perhaps the biggest reason some African-Americans are returning to their Republican roots is the crucial difference between the ideology of the Republican Party and the Democrat Party which can be summed up in the old adage: “If you GIVE a man a fish, he will eat for a day, but if you TEACH a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime”. It’s that independence -not entitlement- that empowers us to not only take care of ourselves, but teach generations to come to do it just as our forefathers did in the face of tremendous adversity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Angel Roberson is a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and publisher. She is a former radio and television news reporter and weekend anchor. Throughout her television career, she has interviewed “The Little Rock Nine”, Monique (comedian), Lil JJ (comedian), Elizabeth Dole (Wife of former Senator & Presidential candidate Bob Dole), Nikki Giovanni,boxing greats Evander Holyfield and Jermaine Taylor, music greats Kirk Whalom, Cameo and more. She holds a Bachelors degree in media from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In June, Ms. Roberson begins work towards her Master’s in Media Psychology.
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I’m a reluctant moderate Republican and the real reason why Black America has been voting 90% Democrat is because of the Southern Strategy enacted in the 60′s to draw in Southern whites and Confederate lovers. It made the party lose any credibility with Black America on civil rights issues. That’s where we went wrong as a party.
Because of it, Black America does not have a choice of who to vote for but go with policies for one party 80-95% of the way. The GOP is scared of alienating it’s base so they ignore black voters (and they’re making the same mistakes with Hispanics) and the Democrats will continue to take them for granted.
There were people who helped make the Democratic Party more inclusive. Anyone hear read about Fannie Lou Hamer? She went to the Democratic National Convention with friends despite segregationists screaming at them and worked to make it inclusive. The Republican Party needs it’s Fannie Lou Hamer in this day and age.
I remember all the conversations about the GOP being hostile and racist from friends, but they never made an effort to make it inclusive. People have to get involved to make the party change. It’s going to take time, but the effort is well-worth it to see a multi-racial Republican Party go up against a multi-racial Democratic Party. The GOP needs more Jack Kemp style Republicans and less of Tom Delay and Tom Tancredo.
Anyway, just my two cents on this…
That’s our grandfather’s GOP. The new GOP reaches out to middle class voters regardless of race with the idea that each person deserves the money they earn and can do more with it than the government. In West Virginia we nominated a Nigerian immigrant for secretary of state in 08 and currently have more black legislative candidates than the Democrats. The main color right now is the green of money. Who gets the green, those that earned it, or the government?
Hey mate,
In order for the GOP to allow it’s fear of alienating it’s base to affect it’s policies concerning which groups to go after… it’s base must express racial prejudice. Which, as a whole, it does not.
Thanks for your 2 cents. 1960′s? Today, there are Blacks who are coming back with convictions. If you are looking at policy and not personality, clearly Blacks have a choice. And the only one’s who need to step up are the individual Blacks themselves. We need no great white hope to say, “I will go before you and bid you entrance “. Where I am, they have been very happy to receive me; I went on my own…period. I didn’t come to the table and ask for a chair. I come to the table with my own chair. All of us deserve a seat at the political table…got a chair?
One thing that bothered me the most when I joined the Black Caucus a few years ago was that they kept harping on yesterday. Me, the youngest at the time, just wanted to do something productive and recruit.
Clearly, there is a stark difference in the ideology. Blacks need to step on based on conviction, stop playing the race card, and do something to change the deteriorating condition of our communities and the sad state of affairs once known as family. We must stop selling ourselves out to Dems and the cancer known as hip/hop music.
Great post! I am going to repost this one our site http://www.IamTheTeaParty.net
Angel, I am amazed at what I have just read and LOVE it! I’m also wondering can you bottle up what you have and hand it out to all the Black African Americans in the country? I use the term Black African American to distinguish because I’m sure there are also White African Americans among us. There are surely White Africans, correct? Anyway back to you writing with that thinking and outlook spread throughout the Black communities in the country I could see a vast improvement in our beloved country as a whole! Thinking like this would bridge many gaps in society, finances etc! Are you running for public office?? Believe I’d vote for you!
Mike, I disagree the GOP is not scared of alienating it’s base, because the base is NOT exclusive on the issue of race. The problem has been that they did not know how to address the narative, it’s like this whites do not feel welcome to address blacks in regard to issues, because whites are told you don’t have a right to do so. Therefore there hasn’t been open dialogue. The wonderful thing now is the Tea Party movement that is opening that dialogue.
THANK YOU! Why don’t more African-Americans get this I will NEVER understand?! Do they not understand that the Democratic party has never done anything to help them, they have only held them back all these years. People will never be able to find their own way and become the best they can be if they are not free to find their way without government intervention. We are all slowly becoming slaves to the government and it’s a disturbing trend that must END NOW!! Bless you for telling the truth Ms. Roberson, I wish people of all ages and races would listen to it and follow…Blessings.
Angel, you are 100% spot-on! Great to see more Black Americans waking up to the horrible racist Democrats. Blacks and Conservative republicans have a lot in common. God Bless you!
Angel,
Great article! It mirrors my sentiments pretty much 100%.
Regarding the Southern Strategy, if you dig a little further , it wasn’t so much ad ignoring the Black vote, but rather trying to include the white vote as well.
Regarding “acknowledging” racial prejudice, the difference between democrats and republicans is simply this; democrats claim to want to equalize the races…republicans claim people are ALREADY equal and want to equalize opportunity.
Anecdotally, I have been discriminated MORE by liberals/democrats than conservatives/republicans.
Blacks were voting almost 90% for the Democrat party by the time the Southern Strategy was implemented. The plan was meant to win over almost hereditary Democrats that had a lock on the South and did focus on the majority white voters, but the omission of not focusing on the smaller % of black vote has been successfully been portrayed as racist. Nixon hardly had a racist agenda and Southern Democrats started voting Republican after the Southern Strategy for the same reason blacks started voting Democrats back during FDR, for economic reasons.
I am teaching students how to start up a business as a class project. As the course matures the students find themselves in charge of a real company making real income. Upon completion of the course they will have a business earning them a real wage. My budget is limited but I will train any student who is willing to work. Do you have time to work with me to involve those lost in the business world who need help?
Lincoln freed the slaves and Obama is enslaving the free….just look at current events and you can clearly see which party wants equality and justice for all…the Republicans and the Tea Party.
Mike, that’s old liberal BS. If you honestly believe that the Republican Party “never made an effort to make it inclusive”, you’re not a Repuplican, “moderate” or otherwise.
I knew 3 white men had founded the NAACP but did not know the other historical facts you brought out in your article. I beg to differ with some comments Republicans do have Jc Watts, Michael Steele, Condi Rice just to name a few in politics. Larry Elder Talk Radio Host is Republican I am sure there exsist a very long list I am just not able to name them all.
[...] Roberson of HipHopRepublican.com wrote a brief pro-GOP article called “Why Some Blacks Are Returning To Their GOP Roots”. Nothing special, in fact kinda misleading, as she conveniently left out the post-FDR switching of [...]
Keep working on your masters degree in “Media Psychology,” Miss Roberson. You’re gonna need if you’re going to convince black people to vote Republican with all their racist ideology. Newsflash: Black people didn’t wind up in their terrible condition due to the Democratic party. There are a lot of socio-economic and pathological reasons why we as black people wound up in this rut. Like many GOP entrepreneurs, it just looks like you found a way to make a buck from promoting neocon views.
Thank-you, Angel. You are awesome!!!!
I totally agree, Angel. The abandonment of our Christian beliefs and the utter knee-jerk reaction to defend anyone and anything that is black regardless of the facts has wreaked havoc on our communities. I am going to post your article to my facebook page. We need to wake up. Thanks for the post.
OMG are there really some other black Republicans out there. I thot i was all alone. please email with info ok.
At buffigyrl3000@yahoo.com. Thanks Ann the black Republican. Heres a joke ya’ll . what do u call a political werewolf? a Repub lycan get it1
I’m not a republican per se. I’m more of an independent but it’s easy to see how blacks have gotten to where we are now. The liberal agenda to supply everything in exchange for votes has robbed us of our dignity. Welfare is a way of life instead of a stepping stone it should be. Yes we can?! How about yes YOU can and YOU probably should. Enough with the hand outs. It’s time to return to basics!
And to the people who are defending the liberal point of view ask yourself if you’re black, are they helping you because they like you or are they helping you because they pity you? Republicans may come off as racist but at least they believe blacks can help themselves. They might not want you too or help you but they believe you can. Liberals help you because they don’t believe you’re equal to them. You’ll never make it because you’re not smart enough to. They hold blacks in the same regard they hold retarded people. They help to make themselves feel better about themselves. You’re the cause of the day, nothing more. Wake up people!
Oh, my. Misleading. God forbid I act like a Democrat. lol
I just want to help the person who conveniently MISunderstood the jist of the article. If you recall, the premise is why they are RETURNING. I didn’t broach why some left.
digress… I have watched, even recently, Republicans go into the African-American communities to be prejudged and verbally attacked and insulted. Many believe it’s an impossible task. They are only down what? 90 to 10. Not an encouraging view from where they stand. What’s sad is that MANY blacks vote and don’t have a CLUE when it comes to issues ..too busy struggling with the result of the liberal policies that have left them in a crippling state of affairs. They still believe the propaganda that Repubs are only for the rich and Dems are for the poor. Dems aim to keep us poor and maintain power at any cost, and Repubs believe in freedom and prosperity through true independence.
Misleading? One thing I will not tolerate is a DIVERSION tactic. Cleary, my article is about why some Blacks are returning. It was not written out of emotion; it was written when new members of the African-American Republican Caucus here in Arkansas were discussing why they are who they are, some of which are conservative Independents, and ASKED me if I would write an article addressing their point of view. It is NOT misleading. Dems can’t hold a candle stick to Republicans when it comes to Civil Rights. They wish to hijack it…through Obama and now the illegals. True civil rights would be undoing the mess that has the inner cities so messed up and Blacks lagging so in education…but that would EMPOWER us and involve PROSPERITY.
You wish to cast doubt on the information, but truth is the truth is the truth. It trumps ignorance and deception. I told you why they are coming back….no misleading. Fail. One welfare check years ago was all it took for me to realize something was NOT right with that picture!
One more thing. I have never understood the authority of those who write judgemental statements like, “nothing special” . Can one of you help me understand this? I feel as if I’m in English class again or something. It was special to the group for which I wrote it. Put that in context for me. I’m just dying for my writings to be special. lol
Just kidding…No need. I’m just having fun with ya! All of our post are special…free speech is priceless.
I hate throwing around the word, “Perfect”, but that was pretty close. In my opinion, you’re right up there with Thomas Sowell, Ted Nuggent, and Frederic Douglas, for his writings. I just can’t hear enough of the truth. Thank you.
As a gay Conservative, Angel….I loved this article. As a gay conservative I obviously don’t completely find myself in sync with social conservatives (although…unlike the gay Left I respect their opinions rather than degrade their right to have them). Though I’m one of those that believes governments, state or federal, never should have gotten into the business of handing out civil / benefit rights to married couples at all. That really is the basis of the entire argument…and if a government is going to give special priviledges to one group of people than it must grant them to everyone. If you don’t want to grant it to everyone–then don’t start giving them out in the first place–but I digress.
I read some concerns above about Republicans pandering to this group or that group above. That’s the whole point of conservatism…to see people as people…and not as voting blocks to be divided and conquered as the Democrat Party does. If Republicans (and provided they’re conservative rather than liberal Republicans) go into black neighborhoods to garner votes…they shouldn’t be discussing what they will “give” the black community. They should be discussing what’s been stolen from them by dependency being thrust upon them and how to remove that leash of dependency from around themselves and their families. That…would be the promotion of constructive individualism.
The fact of the matter is the GOP and the Democrats can give a damn about African Americans…Hell African Americans don’t care about other African Americans. We could sit here all day and argue about the past and which party was in favor of this and that, but what is that accomplishing…NOTHING. It doesn’t matter who is in power and who is running the country the black community will continue to be screwed. Why? Lack of morals and values…or the wrong values and partly politics (slightly).
After being republican for 20 years i just left the party!
this is awsome!….It reminds me of Stephen Carter’s book INTEGRITY. It has a great chapter on integrity in politics.
If you do not know his work, you will want to. God bless you Angel.
You are using the party labels in a misleading way. I agree that “Republicans” were instrumental in civil rights, and that “Democrats” were at the core of racist policies, but those labels have changed in meaning. The 21st century Republican Party is nothing like the civil rights-oriented Republicans of the 19th and 20th centuries. The “party of Lincoln” was a big-government party, passing lots of legislation increasing the scope of government… the 14th, 15th, and 16th Amendments… vigorous enforcement of voting rights… creation of “land grant” publicly funded colleges…. The “party of Limbaugh” in the 21st century is (allegedly) anti-big government, and became the home for many of the former “Democrat” segregationists. The civil rights Republicans who helped push civil rights in the 20th century, those truly bipartisan Republicans, are dismissed as RINOs in the party of Limbaugh, and have little power in the party today.
Segregationists started leaving the Democratic Party in 1948, and the few who stayed (Robert Byrd and George Wallace) had to recant their racism to stay in the party. Orval Faubus may have been a “Democrat” in the 1950s, but he definitely would not be one in the 2010s. If you’re trying to tie the Democratic Party of today (having nominated and elected an African-American President and several African-American politicians) with the 19th century party of slavery and the 20th century party of segregation, you are doing more sophistry than history.
I will concede one point, however. When America reaches the point that African Americans register and vote in the same percentages of Republican and Democrat as white Americans, then we truly will have achieved equality.
It is tiring to listen to every black Republican recite the history of the GOP. You can’t compare political parties over the centuries to make a valid point. The Democrats of who she speaks were Dixiecrats who eventually became Republicans (Strom Thurmond, et al). The Radical Republicans who were responsible for the 13th-15th Amendments eventually morphed into the Republicans who were responsible for the Tilden Hayes compromise which ushered in a century of Jim Crow.
I agree with you on the lack of morals and values. I believe we have gone from dependency and trust in God to depency on the government and are reaping the harvest. However, hope is NOT lost and you just implied that “I” don’t care. I am “Black”. You haven’t a clue what I do EACH day to make a difference one person at a time. I happen to be a community activist. I could care less about running for office. I am also the current Program Coordinator for an urban Christian Academy centered directly in the hood. Just last week, I hosted a program to thank the VOLUNTEERS who come and spend one hour or more a week with our at-risk children. the pastor of teh church buys homes to help those who are homeless during transition. The mentors at my school….most of them are BLACKS. (Two whites, both conservative, btw) So, I beg to differ with you blanket statement that we don’t care…SOME don’t care. But, let’s not discredit how many people are stepping up. I truly believe there are folks on both sides who give a “dang” and who don’t. Politics IS about people. It’s just that some believe you should control them and the others believe you should trust them to control themselves. BUT if we move away from morals as popular culture would have it….you get what we are seeing today. So, if you are Black, the thing you should ask is how are you SHOWING you care? Speaking up is a great place to start.
I am a conservative Republican. I’m a grass roots activist in Team Sarah. I and other Republicans welcome you, and we will be glad to help you, whatever you choose to do in the Republican party.
@david. lol. lol. Please tell me where I can make this buck you speak of. Newsflash. ANYone who knows me, knows that I am not MONEY motivated. Would have been loaded long ago and NOW if I were. The gall. lol You are obviously a capitalist who failed with the crystal ball. You are not a very good discerner of spirits, huh. I have noticed that everytime someone espouses a particular view, it’s portrayed as being about the buck. SURELY, they can’t believe what they are saying. That dog won’t hunt. My degree in Media Psychology is not about convincing folks to be Republican. NOTHING at all. Perhaps you should review my goal statement.
What is a “GOP entrepreneur”? New one on me. That degree is going to come in quite handy for more than I anticipated to help decipher the origin of assanine assertions like that! All of a sudden, me and my biz partner, who happens to NOT be Republican, own a GOP company. I must do some research. We had no idea that all the work we put into this had anything to do with the GOP. Must tell our customers. I love it! What else am I to be labeled? Here we go…..
Poor poor me. You have NO idea the type of sister you are stereotyping. That dog won’t hunt, and it might come back to bite you.
Good article Angel. I was actually daydreaming politically on my drive home from work last night.
The Democrat party has drifted so far away from where JFK was, that by today’s standards, he would be vilified for his positions.
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” is lost on society as whole anymore. The assumption is that this country owes somebody something, somebody done wrong.
I hope, and pray the trend is correct. In their political wake, there is nothing but despair, unemployment, crime, and no hope.
Take care.
“If you GIVE a man a fish, he will eat for a day, but if you TEACH a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime”. It’s that independence -not entitlement- that empowers us to not only take care of ourselves, but teach generations to come to do it just as our forefathers did in the face of tremendous adversity.
This statements defines so much truth not only to your culture but to all. Fits so well.
Thank you good story
Wow. Angel you are a phenomenal spokesperson for the Black Republican perspective. You make it all seem pretty simple and obvious. The Republicans have always stood for freedom and independence, the Democrats for slavery and subjugation. They’ve got blacks convinced that they have to vote for these Democrats who don’t do anything other than enhance their own power in order to line their pockets because otherwise the “evil, racist” Republicans are going to take over.
I think Obama is holding his finger in the dyke, however. You saw how white progressives nearly lost it when blacks voted for Obama, but against gay marriage in California. Put illegal immigration up for a vote, and it’s going to go the same way. Or abortion. Or high taxes. And on and on.
A lot of blacks are going to have had a really good look at what this progressive movement is all about (devastation by high unemployment, endless regulation, destruction of social institutions, etc.) by the end of the Obama era (which is rapidly approaching), and at that point there could be some defections similar to what happened in California even with Obama on the ballot.
This really was an excellent article. As for the third party idea,,,it may be a good one but the timing is bad. First it far past time for any residual hard feelings by white conservatives for the American-Black population being duped by liberal bullshit. The entire Social Democratic line promises the moon until the citizenry is roped in too deep to recover. It’s also time for American Blacks to forget living in the past and realize that there are literally millions of white folk that see the raw, no win deal blacks have been living in, and now is the time to stop this.
Why do you think liberals are trying so hard to brand the Tea Party Movement as a bunch of race hating crackers? They know that if everyone forgets past mistakes and band together to break the liberal, social democratic strangle hold present in American politics their time is up.
Also why is the Obama Administration trying so hard to annex Puerto Rico as our 51st state behind every one’s backs? It’s a numbers game and if Puerto Rico is annexed 4 million Hispanic votes, X number of Congressmen and Senators will lock the liberal demagoguery into power for the next half century.
Right now a third party will only weaken conservative ideas against this socialist machine that has been built over several decades. For now Republican, Independent, Libertarian and American black as well as Hispanic populations need to compromise under a common Conservative banner first crush the Social Democratic status quo.
Later there will be plenty of time to refine the parties and maybe build a third and powerful party of Independent, Libertarian and Americans “of Color” to replace the old “fat Cat” Republican Guard on DC.
First under a common banner we crush the Social Democrat for good and sweep them from America’s shores.-Jax
I encourage you all to view, American History in Black and White. I am NOT using labels. One party pushes entitlement and the other doesn’t. It is what it is. There are so many revisionist historians out there, that it takes going back to PRIMARY sources to find the truth long lost in the propaganda. Today’s Democrats…not may kind of party. PERIOD.
This is a great article and the discussion that has followed in the comments section are more than insightful.
I’m white and grew up in a predominately black neighborhood and, as a result, participated in many activities in the African-American community. I got to see first hand how liberal policies have held down the African-American individual in this country, I just never knew at the time. I saw how some of my friends’ family would deliberately put themselves in a bad position to get ‘government money’, which was pretty rampant. i.e. planning what they had to do to qualify for a certain program. In the end you wind up working for the government by working to get the program and by casting your vote for the politician that can’t wait to take credit for ‘helping you’. I also noticed that these families were often times broken – no father usually and didn’t have that strong moral foundation that comes from the nuclear family.
These Liberal carrot-and-stick government programs were nothing more than that in the end. Designed to keep the African-American community enslaved. Designed to keep the African-American individual under control and dependent. Designed to give to the African-American individual money that keeps them hovering right at the poverty line. This is why after 40 years of our inner-cities residing in their own welfare states they are no better now than they were before. Only the cost of living keeps going up, making the inner-cities more and more dependent on the system. They are shunned by our government by being told lies and by being told that a vote for me keeps the money flowing. Demonizing the other side for wanting folks to rise up and empower themselves by taking personal responsibility and having strong moral foundations. They know if we have convictions they don’t stand a chance so they do everything to remind us everyday of every negative aspect of our lives. Whether it be ”racism”, or health-care, or unemployment it’s always something…
Inside my community I felt quite comfortable talking with my friends about the liberal ideology, because they know I wasn’t racist they took my opinion for what it was worth. But I see prominent conservative voices out there making the same observations and the liberal media are quick to pull the race card and make it into a racial issue when it’s a political issue. The issue is this. Do we want our system of government to control the masses through manipulation of society or do we as individuals want to make our own decisions how we operate within society.
Outstanding Angel, simply outstanding. As a white teacher, when I try to make these points in my history and government classrooms, I am told I am a liar and a racists. Not hard to explain why I don’t have a job anymore. Thank you for taking a stand and telling the truth. I wish more black Americans would wake up and do so. Please keep it up.
As an aside, one can see what the democrats are doing right now to egg on the immigration issue in Arizona by charging the law as racist.
Then you see all the protesters out there crying racism. I find it extremely offensive and ultimately shows why these people have no place in this country. They don’t even know what REAL racism is. Our country is still healing from the deep wounds of racism and these political leaders today just love to scratch at that scar tissue to see if it still bleeds. Police would round up black people in the early 1900′s and throw them in jail under false pretenses – charging them with unsolved murders and phantom rapes. Segregation. Testing diseases on communities. THAT’s racism, my friends.
The illegal population here now get away with crimes left and right because we don’t have the backbone to deal with the issue and white people are afraid of being called racists.
Angel…God bless you, and keep it up. Remember, you have Americans checking your six!
There are voters who are afficionardoes of that cancer you refer to as “hip-hop” music. If one starts stigmatizing the music of a group, then alienation will automatically set in before the first “progressive” Republican can show his or her face in the community seeking votes. Making a distinction in music would be one of the orders of business. There is: rap, hip-hop, gospel, blues, rhythm & blues, rock & roll, soul, jazz, country, classical and latin music. The history of the Republican party shows that when moderates like Nelson Rockefeller went against the prevailing mood, they were shoved aside. Unfortunately the Jack Kemps have been few and far between. The Republicans, while they have stood for freedom and independence, have not always spoken out for these attributes especially when blacks were concerned. Being a member of the Republican party should not be a requirement for the organization to advocate for the have-nots. I wish those blacks who are returning to their GOP roots well, however they face a challenge in transforming a “lily-white” political party to one who truly values diversity. This is going to a 20 year or more struggle.
Hip hop does not belong solely to the Black community. I hope those who love hip-hop aren’t ignorant enough to say, I won’t vote for Angel because she has problems with hip-hop or I don’t like Republicans because some of them don’t like hip hop. Black Entertainment T.V. has turned into Black Extermination Technique. I think you got her point. HIP HOP…where else can you find the misogyny, player mentality, rump shaking, stereotyping and on and on and on being glorified.
Another thing, Blacks who go back to the Republican Party are not ignorant enough to be doing it just to change the landscape…but because of their views. Admittedly, I’m not Democrat or Republican, but I’m sick and tired of everytime a black person becomes a Republican it seems like those who disagree want to make them DEFEND their position or play the race card. Man, just because Democrats have a bunch of ignorant Blacks voting COLOR does not make an argument for it being RIGHT! what’s the point of the “lily-whit’ except to stir up racial mess. And, YESSSSS, I am BLLLLLLAAACK!
Do your thing, Angel. Let the shallow ones focus on color and entertainment while you spout about issues.
On most days, I am a hiphoptimist. I do deal with young folks who are so negatively effected by it, though. The words kill the beats in many instances. I work with some Muslim brothers in the community and we use the arts to reach youth. I can’t deny there’s a cancer eating away at the black family which is perpetuated by SOME hip-hop music. So, I agree with Ivan, I should have been more clear. Allen, I sure hope people aren’t that shallow, but as Ivan’s statements clearly implies, some blacks will simply not look beyond color. (umm, and THEY are not the only ones) What color is the issue? hmmm. I totally get Ivans point and appreciate it!
I’m in awe about all of you.. This is my first visit to this site and i must say im very impressed with your thoughts and knowledge.. Angel, bringing up Roots! A fantastic movie and so much truth to it however, being white i really got hassled by some co-workers. Didn’t think i would be. I dislike labels immensely, such as black white. I don’t see people that way. Were all created equal in my mind and i like to think of all of us as “God’s chosen Children”
Obama, as a man i think he has the greatest sense of humor of them all. He’s witty and i like him for many reasons. Dislike what hes doing to our country. Were all free, the way it’s meant to be as, were Americans ,all of us are proud of that. We’ve come a long way. I see less prejudice which is admirable, and i mean that for all of us. We accept each other…Obama, is ruining what this country is all about so sad that one man in a short period of time has created such a turmoil.. I consider myself a Patriot, my vote is for the person who can make us Americans proud again..and do what is best to turn this around,
So glad i found all of you.
Namaste,
SandyJ.
Co-sign Todd R. It is annoying because that’s all they have…The same talking points…Come up with something new. It is obvious that the Republicans and Democrats are for the most part different than they were a century+ ago. I still believe they could give a damn about the black plight.
This is one of the most dillusional articles I have read. She barely mentions why 90 percent of blacks vote Democratic in the first place. Like all Blacks were stupid and decided to support segregationist. Yes everything you said was true but it is not intellectually honest. You leave out the cause of the current situation. You claim to want to get to the roots of the parties and gloss over its COMPLETE HISTORY.
The GOP only believes in the “give-man-a-fish” proverb when it comes to those that actually work. The GOP supports corporate welfare and tells us that these multi-national companies need our help becouse they give us jobs. The GOP believes in welfare and riggin the tax code to achieve social means like anyone else.
Angel, its ironic that GOPer slike yourself say “blacks need to take accountability for their actions” and then blame liberal government policies for the situation blacks are in. Many groups use welfare to progress themselves beyond their status. Our Jewish brothers get welfare and they use it to better themselves, our asian brothers get it too. Govt intervention works sometimes. The reason it does not work for us needs to be examined seriously and superficiously blaming wlefare wont cut it.
And for this “HipHop” thing, just like the GOP it was great for black and brown people at one time. Now it has been weaponized and made to destroy black and brown from within.
Yes, I know that the hiphop is no longer Public Emeny and DeLa Soul like I realize the GOP is no longer the party of Lincoln.
The problem is that every one sees in color.Black, white red or blue, from left or right The only colors we should see are; RED WHITE & BLUE stars & stripes!….
I believe Ms. Roberson may have “forgotten where she comes from”.
While she attempts to apply her premature psychology within the article, she reveals her ignorance of [Ourstory], not necessarily her culture, but that of Ebonies in america.
Angel has become conditioned by the ISM’s I spoke of about a month ago in my post. She speaks to what she has been conditioned to from Internal Simulation of Media – media and the like has taught her how to think, view and characterize her own culture.
What Angel fails to realize, is the fact that as a culture of People, We were never about politics and being given anything — these were american “games of chance”. If she learned anything about the movie Roots, she would have expressed resentment of how the american-made-movie NEVER conveyed the message of how We came to be slaves in america — which not only would have changed the dynamics of the “playing-field” of Ebonies in america, but would have also eliminated the power of ISM.
Now to get to the meat of your question:
Ebonies in america, have pulled theirSELVES “out of the game”. At the next election, their will be no voting for ANYONE — black, white, hispanic, asian — no one.
This will change “the game” for many reasons. Without votes from any single ethnic group, the dynamics of politics “CHANGE”. You got it…america shot itself right in its own foot; leaving it with “a single leg to stand on”. What does this mean? No longer will america be able to hide “allocated” funds behind the “myths” of “support for low-income”, no-child left behind — the multi-million dollar american hustle in every city — DONE — the multi-million dollar housing hustle — DONE — the naacp and organizations of the such in which america utilizes to get the ISMs out — DONE.
What will this accomplish? Here’s an analogy or parable, if you will:
4 men were sitting at a table playing cards. One of the men said, “hahaa, I got a royal flush!”…one of the other men looked at his losing hand and said, “hahaa! What good is your royal flush when I’m missing a card?”
There’s an even older adage than the one Ms. Roberson has shared, it’s “What do we have to lose”.
I got the perfect song for all the blacks who dare to go against the grain. It’s posted at http://www.myspace.com/gvltheinfidel. Go there and bump ‘Against The Grain’!
Blacks in America cannot seem to get past the ‘blackness’ (or whiteness) of a candidate. The race-baters like Sharpton, Jackson, Wright et al will never allow their people to be free.
BLACK= BROTHER
WHITE=RACIST/ENEMY
The collective thinktank mentality of blacks today is why Obama, an out-and-out FRAUD and America-hater, is currently in the White House. Blacks needs to stop voting on the basis of skin color and start using their intellect. They will never be elevated to that of mature adult unless they do.”What can YOU do for ME” seems to be their mantra. The past is past, unless they move on, they will be perpetual victims.
Marry Me Angel.
ISM. LMAO so hard! YOU MAY BE BORDER LINE CRAZY! LET ME HELP YOU OUT. I am pro-life…conditioned by God and grannie. I am pro-productivity and creativity – conditioned by God and grannie. I could go on and on, but you are a piece of psychological work. You read one article I write about a select group of people and you surmise all that dishonest crap! What the hell black person is conditioned to leave the plantation? Are you okay? Common sense is not common. Who said that? YOU ACTUALLY BEELIEVE that I am incapable of being a Republican by choice and not CONDITION. Oh, my, you need to tell others about YOURself because you failed miserably when it comes to me. But, of course, you know NOTHING about me and you just proved it.
For all the ignorant people who are attacking my character and intelligence…THIS FORMER project baby, welfare check momma, had no one’s influence but GOD’s and her God-given INDEPENDENCE to decide what political position with which to align. If I have been “intellectually dishonest” (LMAO at the narcissist who would even pen such propaganda), point out specifically to me where I lied about WHY those I spoke with decided to make a switch. In English classes, we often ask students, “What was the subject here?” If you said, ROOTS or why blacks left the Republican Party – YOU are dillusional. The person who called me intectually dishonest is the one who is being intellectually dishonest:
The terms intellectually dishonest and intellectual dishonesty are often used as rhetorical devices in a debate; the label invariably frames an opponent in a negative light.The phrase is also frequently used by orators when a debate foe or audience reaches a conclusion varying from the speaker’s own a given subject. This appears mostly in debates or discussions of speculative, non-scientific issues, such as morality or policy.
You can’t even figure out the subject and it’s written in big print in the headliner. How diversionary and intellectully dishonest to try to make people think it’s about anything more. I MENTIONED my grandmother’s words to me. I not only know where I have come from, but where I am, and where I am going…and I won’t let YOU stop me. It’s YOU who don’t have a clue about me, so you stereotype. Man, what is it that they used to call he slave who told the master when ever someone tried to escape? House what? I remember that! Grandma taught me about them, too.
Welfare is for transition….not a lifestyle.
I am please that the folks who asked me to write this for them to express their point of view were VERY pleased. And why the heck are so many people harping on my choice for a Master’s degree? You obviously have no idea what it is! Geese, can’t a woman CHOSE anything without you trying to question it’s motives.
Thou shalt not be a RebuBlackan! LMBO
wikepedia…
Wow. I’m going to be honest. I am a Demindependent. I think the article was straightforward about the subject. The posts are great. I am notcing how people attack Black Republicans or try to villify them. I don’t think Ms. Angel was being intellectually dishonest.
If you all are so upset with her about writing why some blacks are going back to the Republican party, write about why they left.
It’s sad to say that I didn’t even know all the stuff she wrote. I didn’t know blacks started out Republican and no one is arguing with her on that. This makes me question every thing I have been taught and makes me wonder who is really conditioned by what the brother called ISM.
Angel is right. I can’t see anyway, looking at the media today, that a black person could be conditioned to think the way she does.
Oh, well, that’s just my two cents.
Something I learned a long time ago is that when people begin to lose an argument intellectually they begin to attack their opponent personally. And I see that same principle playing out here.
Angel,
Ignore the naysayers here. You know probably better than I that their ideological bias and agenda transcends all facts and any deeper analysis of the true causes of our social problems. Just remember that for every person you face that tries to diminish you, you have two at your shoulders standing with you. It’s people like you that truly work to make this a better country, and a better world.
Thank You
Angel, you truly are an Angel! I was cleaning out my home office (spring cleaning time), and I was looking at one of my college history books. I was actually trying to find something about FDR to use for an election in 2010 in a predominately Jewish-Democrat congressional district. Much to my dismay the History book ended at 1877. But I was looking at the last few chapters and re read about Black Suffrage and the Reconstruction movement. I was shocked. I thought a.) How could I forget this, or b.) How is it that I never learned this? 80% of the “southern” make up of the republican party was Black Americans (former slaves).
I read about voter intimidation and suppression amongst white republicans and their black counterparts. I read that the democrats started white supremacy. I re-learned the disputed election of 1876 where 250,000 republican Americans of the south both Black and White were intimidated not to vote. I learned that these very tactics are used even today. Now more then ever I believe slavery amongst Black American’s exists. It exists by taking the handouts rather then the hand ups. I believe the government and the democratic party continues to keep them down. The more they rely on the government for help the more the government in power relies on their votes.
Could not agree with you more about Independence. Success can only exist when you work hard for what you deserve. What they deserve is more than welfare, and food stamps. What I disrespect the most is the ones who have made it out of the inner-cities and the projects by selling their music (becoming Urban Celebrities) and keeping their family and friends in the dark about how they became successful. Their success did not come from government handouts. Their success happened because they had a fire within them to become something. The more we keep them down by handing out the more that fire dwindles!
There is a gentlemen running down here in the 23 district of Florida. He is an American transplanted from Haiti. He has an incredible story. He was the SENATE president of Haiti. During the Clinton administration his power was over throne thanks to Clinton and a known terrorist and drug lord was given all the power. Bernard Sansaricq (the former Senate President), was forced to leave or he and his family would be executed. Now his is running for the US Congress against democrat Alcee Hasting (one of 7 judges ever to be impeached by the US Congress). This district is heavily Black American a combination of African American and Haitian American. Bernard has been making incredible strides within this community. This district is probably the poorest in Florida. It was setup to be like 80% Black. Alcee Hastings is the only congressman to ever represent this district. Always promising a hand up telling his constituents things will get better. Yet he drives around in a Lexus only comes to the district when he is up for reelection. You must get involved with this race. You must help Bernard out this district I believe is the best way to start a republican outreach in the Black community. Endorse him, fundraise for him, speak for him! Whatever you can do would be a huge help to him and to this community. I beg of you!
http://www.sansaricq4congress.org/
You are being honest in your facts dishonest in your conclusions.
That slice of history you have carefully selected presents only one side argument of the GOP. You are being dishonest in the fact that is the ONLY history black folks need to review. Black people did not leave the GOP. To win more votes (at the time) the GOP left black people. Why are we begging for them to take us back is beyond me. The GOP needs to review THEIR roots and return to the party THEY once were. Not black people.
The GOP made the political calculation that your hiphop vote did not count. They were and are all too happy to stoke white fear to garner votes. When I look at the Tea Party outrage of this President and their virtual nonstatement about the Arizona law that required brown and black CITIZENS to carry papers on them at all times tells me all I need to know about the GOP you love. This is not about more government.
You are dillusional because you honestly believe that a review of GOP of the 40s and 50s should or would change anyones perception on the folks representing themselves as GOP today. Yes I’ll concede, Republicans were the party for government intervention and centralized federal powers. They also spearheaded legislation that supported minoroity causes. But you see, there were these conservatives that thought the Republicans actions were unconstitutional and challenged states rights. They fought hard for the conservation of power in the hands of the majority. Hmmm I wonder what happened to those conservatives.
I find it funny that the party of acountability finds way to blame those dirty liberal policies for all of their ills. Its not something wrong with us. No, its those public schools, free lunches, handouts to unwed mothers that brought this on. We were doing reall well before this welfare and abortion stuff. This is about as superficial a review of the causes of our problems as anything.
@ just_saying
“the Arizona law that required brown and black CITIZENS to carry papers on them at all times”
This statement alone shows you are factually confused or ignorant.
Also, why don’t you give an example of how the GOP decided they didn’t care about black people? How so? What actions are you talking about? Because to me it seems they just treat them the same as everybody else, and don’t promise them special favors like the Dems do. Too me, that speaks more of the desire for equality than anything else. So before I can believe that the GOP just doesn’t care about black people, I think I’ll need some hard facts that shows this to be true.
One thing I can agree with you about is that what a party was 50 to 100 years ago, doesn’t necessarily reflect who they are today. But it’s still important history that people seem to know nothing about.
You accuse her of writing nothing more than a superficial review. But as it stands, her information has more facts that your little rant here. So I ask you to post some information on why the GOP just doesn’t care about black people. Otherwise, it’s a non-issue without something to back up your statements.
Angel, you need not bring a chair to my table … we have one for you and you are welcome at anytime! Kudos to you for your insightful thinking and your clarity. My heartfelt thankfulness to you. I’m hopeful that more Blacks will come to the more conservative right.
No idea this article would cause such a stir. I respect ALL the opinions on here; I just don’t appreciate when people who know nothing about me begin to slander my name and distort the intent of the article. I believe people are smart enough to understand what’s taking place. It’s okay to be angry, just don’t attack me personally. I am incredibly busy, but, perhaps, I will write an article about why “I” am a RepuBLACKan and see who will argue with that. lol
Thanks to everyone for your comments…pro and con. And thanks to my dear friend Ann Griffin for coining “RepuBLACKan.” I love it!!!!!
God Bless America!
Attacking you personally is what they do when they have nothing factual to argue with. I see it over and over and over again. I’m afraid to say you’ll need to get used to it if you go into the public arena. Any factual based point you make will be returned with attacks on you. It’s just how it is. How else are they going to fight back if they can’t discredit your facts. They only solution is to discredit YOU. Therefor what you say does not matter because YOU do not matter. I’m sorry you have to deal with it. But again, focus on those that understand what you are saying and deal with the facts. You have to ignore the people who attack you with no facts to back up what they are saying. It’s really elementary the way they behave. I feel like I’m back in grade school every time I see these baseless attacks.
Anyone willing to learn true history about The “Black” Journey in america and before america, feel free to join me on FaceBook. Angel, I was NOT attacking You personally, but the spirit that You have acquired from those who STILL feel compelled to believe that their teachings and philosophies are ALWAYS the right teachings and philosophies.
Most of Your supporters, internally, possess hatred from persons of color; so what You are saying, is agreeable amongst them — but why? Because what You are projecting are ‘their’ thoughts for ‘their’ missions and purposes. They love “what you say” because it fits their psych-analysis of “Blacks”.
So no, don’t get it twisted, attack You personally My Sister, no You are a Descendant from Our line of Ancestry first. But did I attack “the spirit of confusion” within You? Yes, because it is a “programming” and not a actual, factual conclusion One could come to in truly living and OVERstanding what america is really about.
It is a FACT, america was first owned and occupied by Indians (My Ancestry through My Father). There were no politics (especially any republicans) during this ownership. It was when criminal, selfish, greedy Europeans entered the americas bringing Stolen Families (My Ancestry through My Mother) with them, that this whole politics bullshit kicked in.
And in Europeans demonic mission to take over and build america to “their” specifications, their teachings and ways of life included politics — something they “finally allowed” the rest of Us (who wanted to please their massahs) to participate in.
Those who are mature enough to handle the truth can meet me on FaceBook where I actually teach OurStory:
AmiriAmani Haki
@AmiriAmani
I quote you :
“Most of Your supporters, internally, possess hatred from persons of color…”
That is a very racist statement. The only thing I can gather from statements like this is that you are the very thing you accuse others of being. Racism comes in many forms. Do you not see your own here in these very words?
@AmiriAmani
I’m always up for a good discussion. Tried to search your name in multiple forms on Facebook but could not find you. What is your Facebook contact so all of us may talk more if we would like?
@AmiriAmani. Thanks for the facebook friendship today. I must, however, totally disagree with the “programming” statement. I was programmed to be a “Democrat”. It was while working as a reporter – that I was went ever so reluctantly to cover what I considered the BORING legislature – that I had an awakening to the fact that I did not know anything about either of the parties. A State Rep decided to leave the Democrats to join the Republican, and I was sent to cover it. I was totally uncomfortable for several reasons including the fact that I had been programmed to think Democrats were for the poor and Repubs were for the rich having grown up in not so popular area called the “Cooper Road” in my hometown in Louisiana. Only exposure to “whitey” was classroom and one white girl named Nancy who lived in the “hood”, if you will. Basically, the newly converted legislator enumerated his reasons for making the decision, and I was completely DUMBFOUNDED. All of his reasons, were personal convictions I held.
I couldn’t believe what I heard and was bothered internally. It compelled me to go to both the Democrat and Republican Headquarters to acquire a copy of their platforms. To my dismay, my PERSONAL convictions were far more in line with the Republicans. Of course, I became an Independent. LOL. I was still so filled with ill-feelings regarding the Republicans that I could not be associated with them and felt I would be lambasted. It took a few years for me to actually convert again.
I thank everyone on here for your comments and support. AmiriAmani, I thank you for reaching out to me on facebook. Iron sharpens iron and I truly believe I am among some sharp people and open to learn.
Amiriamani, do you really believe they hate people of “color” as Harry Reid put it. I have been treated so horribly by “caucasion” Dems who I truly believe think we are beneath them. They speak as if we need them to save us from ourselves. As if we are incapable of independence. What is your view? I don’t like the hand-out mentality. That’s what I see in them and thier policies – control mechanism in my book. Enlighten me on your view AmiriA and anyone else who would like to chime in.
Peacefully
Watch out for AmariAmani. He left me a message on facebook wishing death to me and my family. He is NOT to be trusted and is delusional.
Angel, I commend you! You are so right on the mark!! I wish you all the best and look forward to reading more from you.
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