Throwing Away The Crutches

What have Republicans/conservatives done for black Americans? I hear that question constantly when I disclose that I am a conservative Republican. Often I will provide the usual facts that seem to be missing from the historical lexicon these days: freed the slaves, were 90%+ in the majority in the votes for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, something about the question sets steel to my nerves and I’ve been meaning to articulate the reasons for it here for some time now.

Implied in the question is that a political party must “do something” for blacks. Not merely the usual “something” that a government entity does for all of its constituents, e.g. provide utilities, regulate commerce, etc., but something special.

That word ‘special’ has taken on a new meaning in recent years and I think that it applies to the special items that liberals/leftists believe that the government should provide for the ‘special’ people, the “congenitally retarded” folk.

Yes, we ‘special’ people--with ‘special’ needs--require special handling: special education and special employment. You can’t expect black people to live up to the standards of ‘normal’ people. Like paraplegics or the blind or the deaf or those afflicted with Down’s syndrome, singular accommodations must be made for the great handicap of being born with black skin. To liberals/leftists, black people are a crippled class that can never be made whole just as long as they can never be made not-black. What’s this notion called?

And if anyone tries to treat us as full, competent adults, the liberals/leftists will scream in righteous anger and protest about the unfairness of it all. And if some of us ‘handicapped’ verbally express the desire to be treated like full, competent adults and act in a manner that demonstrates that desire, we are deemed as traitors by those who share the same racial makeup, but buy into the ‘handicap’ philosophy. Yes, we are “traitors,” because if some of us refuse to take advantage of the special needs offered and succeed anyway, the vast majority of America will begin to think that we don’t really require the “handicap slot.”

The vast majority of Americans will begin to think that we’re not really inferior after all. (Optimistically speaking, I believe that the vast majority think this anyway.)

"You do not own, and you are not the arbiters of, African-American authenticity," said [Rod] Paige [to NAACP leaders], who rose from segregated Mississippi to become President Bush's education chief.

(Thanks to reader Wesley J.)

Or, as I might put it, who died and made you the head of the Brutha/Sista Card Registry?

This idea of our race-wide ‘handicap’ is so ingrained in the mindsets of some, however, that it has morphed into the very existentiality of black identity: a black person who believes that black Americans need extra help to succeed is “authentically black.” Conversely, one who doesn’t buy it “isn’t really black” and is, therefore, a traitor to black identity.

In short, blacks who believe in their own inferiority are the real deal and those who don’t, aren’t. How's that for twisted dogma?

(This is why Condoleezza Rice comes in for special scorn among the liberals/leftists, especially black ones. Having been born with not merely one, but the proverbial two strikes against her, her very existence gives lie to the entire notion of black inferiority: she has succeeded through innate intelligence, raw talent and hard work. I’m sure that white supremacists hate her just as much. Now there's a marriage made in...somewhere.)

So when some black people find out that Republicans don’t want to “do anything” for them except to encourage them to take part in the American dream of prosperity, stemming from work and ingenuity, they’re like, “WTF? Where’s my money?”

So it is that white Republicans/conservatives, those whose ideology purports to treat blacks as equals are considered Devils. We blacks who agree with this are merely the Devils’ minions.

Those that have wondered why the vast majority of the Republican party don’t spend time on “minority outreach” miss the point. Republicans do outreach already. They just don’t do handicapped outreach, not unless you're really handicapped.

Comments

[DarkStar]

Advertising in Black media is handicapped outreach?

I found something I've been looking for.

This is Faye Anderson

[Marty]

Otlichno!

[baldilocks]

Darkstar: No it isn’t.

That Republicans don’t do outreach in black publications brings up the question of ‘why not,’ however. After what George W. Bush endured in 2000 after doing a bit of outreach to the NAACP, one wonders why another would ask why. After the Republican ticket gaining a whopping 6-9 percent of the black American vote in that year’s election, one wonders why another would ask why.

Republicans are people too. And as people, they are prone to the “failings” of all other people: when one isn’t wanted, is resoundingly vilified even when trying to reach out, one doesn’t go to a place..

Additionally, the very Republican mindset doesn’t lend to outreach in places in which they are demonized: the Republican mantle lends itself to choice and individuality. If a person doesn’t want to subscribe to the Republican/conservative ideology, it’s their choice, cries of anti-Americanism notwithstanding.

Perhaps, though, Republicans should have a thicker skin and send a few shock troops in. There’s another question that I have, however: how do we know that Republicans haven’t tried to do outreach using black publications and been refused?

I link to a few liberal/leftist blogs, simply because of their thought processes: they’ve made honest, well-thought out choices for their stances. Would that more liberals/leftists were like them.

I'm reading your link now.

[Fred Schoeneman]

I'm of the opinion Bush should have taken the opportunity to make a speech. I think the NAACP has done some good things, and that it's a tactical error to let Bond & Mfume hijack it all in service of their race-baiting agenda. People think Bush is stupid, that he can't have his own Sister Souljah moment -- incidentally, how I gag hearing liberals get all weepy recounting that moment -- but Bush is best when he lets his enemies overplay their hands. He should have given Bond a chance to do so.

[Peg K]

Great post, Baldi.

And - unless you are hiding something - I sure don't think you are handicapped AT ALL!!

[cthulhu]

Way to go!

If I pulled any of that patronizing, liberal BS on you, I would fully expect that you'd clock me -- and it would be well deserved.

Which makes it all the more bizarre when I encounter people who seem to expect it. [Disclosure: I'm a white guy]

I can sort of handle it when rich white guys from New England whinge on about the poor downtrodden -- I figure that economic success without economic contribution might cause a guilty pang now and then. But it weirds me out when someone starts talking about being born permanently screwed because of the color of their skin.

I live in Silicon Valley. I wasn't born here -- darned few people here were. If you improve process yield by 1%, you're a hero -- whether you're black, white, brown, green, or purple. Believe it or not, however, I still encounter people with a "poor, pitiful me" attitude. I just don't get it.

Please keep whacking people over the head with this sort of post. It'll make this country a better place to live and help me cope a significant source of mental dislocation.

From the Anderson link: In ’92, when Clinton criticized black rap singer Sista Souljah for what he called cop bashing lyrics, that could have backfired and depressed black voter turnout for him. But there were credible black leaders who could say to black folks, “Yes, we know what he did, but be cool. If he gets elected, we’ll be all right, trust me.” Those black leaders could vouch for Clinton because they were trusted in the black community. The Republican Party has no credible blacks who can vouch for it.

It's so frustrating that J.C Watts, Condi Rice, Colin Powell,Rod Paige, and others are not credible to a majority of blacks. A Republican President has "done for blacks" by placing the last three of the above around him, millions of whites have helped vote blacks into office: not only is there no love given, but hate is dished out in mammoth proportions.
And in reality, Bush has Not "done for blacks".
He has placed around himself the most capable people he could find, to do the best job for this country.

Yikes.

[wes jackson]

P.S. Thanks for the mention, Juliette!

[BiPolrFrenzy]

Excellent points! Really enjoyed this blog.

[Larry J]

Outreach has to go both ways. If I reach out my hand to someone only to have it slapped away, I'm not likely to ever offer my hand to that person again. This goes double when they not only refuse my hand but then go on to yell lies about me.

[crobinso]

Hello, Juliette. I am a regular poster on The Motley Fool's (TMF) discussion boards. In one of the boards, a poster asked me for my views on your article. I am posting my views both here and on TMF.

I am a 49 year-old black man, born and raised in Washington, D.C. I have lived in D.C.'s suburbs (Maryland) for 13 years now, and as I've moved out of the city, I've realized that my views on politics have changed.

I used to believe that we blacks were "owed something" because of the color of our skin. In some respects, I still feel this way, although I no longer agree with the powers that be in the NAACP. As a matter of fact, when Bill Cosby made his recent comments, I told the people on TMF that I wholeheartedly agree with him.

I am the product of a two-parent family, which was very common the the 1950's and 1960's, but suddenly became rare in the mid 1970's. My father was "the rock" of my existence, and although he was sometimes harsh, he molded my character. My mother, born in the South and raised on a farm, read to me while I was still in her womb and she continued to read to me all throughout my early years. She'd read the Bible, newspapers, magazines, not just children's books (she read those to me also).

When I went to school, I quickly found out that my ability to read was not "normal". Most of the kids had to be taught to read and to speak "proper" English. Because I was already adept at these, I was labeled a "bookworm" - a derogatory term when uttered from the mouths of my classmates. Although I resisted the urge to yell back "Stupid!", I was constantly annoyed at the time being wasted in class when the teacher had to slow the lessons down to their level so they could understand. I wasn't "smart" by any stretch of the imagination. I always felt I could have learned more in school, but I had to conform to the pace of the majority of the class.

When I was a child, I saw the overt racism leveled toward blacks by certain white people. As I matured into adulthood, some of the overtness became covert. Now, as a middle-aged man, I am noticing that even the covertness has largely - but not entirely - disappeared. That is a good thing. However, I am always "looking over my shoulder" because of the experiences I had as a child. When I see burly young white men in a crowd, I cringe, remembering that men who looked just like them were mean to me or my parents. But when I walk up to them, they either ignore me or smile and call me "Sir"! Wow.

When I started posting on TMF, I got a chance to "meet" a large number of white people and I learned their views on race. Let me tell you, there are still a lot of pure racists out there, and there are some who are racist but don't think they are. But there are also a LOT of white people who would love nothing more than for everyone to get along with everyone, no matter what their skin color is. I am learning to discern who is who, and the revelation is incredible.

When the rare and overtly racist poster spouts poison, many others will "flame" him/her before I've even had a chance to respond. Fortunately, the TMF environment has few of these types of posters. I think the reason for this is that TMF is primarily a place where people come together to learn how to make the most of their money. They are here to help build up, and not to tear down. They do not have time to have any truck with people who would infuriate and inflame others. I like that, and I wish that our entire society could adopt the principles and the attitudes that these TMF posters have embraced.

I'm sorry for the lengthy post, Juliette, but I felt you would like to know a little about me before I comment about your article.

Truthfully, I am torn between the "help old poor, pitiful me" attitude and the "Leave me alone, I can make it on my own" attitude. Throughout my years, I considered myself a Democrat. But I really hate the labels that people give to either party: "Liberal", "Right-wing extremist", etc. To tell you the truth, I am disillusioned by all political parties. I am no longer sure what party I "belong" to.

At one time, it may or may not have been appropriate for black people to feel that this country "owes" something to them. I personally believe that this was true up through the time I was raised. But now, I feel that, if we pull ourselves up, we don't need any extra help from the government. What we need is an equal chance to "make it" in this society. Equalize, but don't tack on any extra advantage to overtake someone else.

Most of the barriers have been removed. Now it is time for black people to DO SOMETHING for themselves: to educate their children; to train them to be good stewards in society so they can get good-paying jobs; to teach them right from wrong; to teach them to not expect handouts but to obtain what they want by using their minds and their abilities.

To each his own; they may choose to be Republicans or Democrats; I don't consider them to be "traitors" if they choose to be Republicans. But I also don't consider them to be "Stupid" or "uninformed" if they choose to be Democrats.

Thank you for allowing me to have my say. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me.

Sincerely,
Charles

[og]

I only WISH I were as handicapped as you

[Lola]

crobinso, thanks for saying what you had to say. I really appreciate it, and I'm feeling almost the same way you do. I also come from a 2-parent family and mother was a SAHM (especially since I was born deaf and my parents thought that I needed to have every opportunity available to succeed, which meant learning to talk, having the best education possible and mother was the one who could do that); looking back I realize that is very rare in the black community.

I didn't get as much teasing as you did because I went to public schools that didn't have a majority black population, so that was fortunate in that I was able to be proud of my love of reading and such.

My father is a very analytical man, and he doesn't just swallow everything hook, line and sinker and that's what I inherited from him. I'm still a Democrat but I don't really buy everything they have to say anymore. And watching Mfume and Bond saying what they are saying . . . I also watched Mfume on Bill O'Reilly where he offered to take Mfume up for the Republican convention and he was looking like he was trying to wiggle out of that by being noncommital. Something's up with that . . .

[laocoon]

Speaking as a person who has resisted classification as a Native American, I can only say that I totally agree with Baldilocks. It is a real insult to get categorized and patronized.

Once I found out that I had been hired as an affirmative action candidate - against my explicit wishes - and threatened to quit on the spot unless I was reclassified. The only thing more ludicrous than the whole situation was how the HR department immediately began groveling, paralyzed with fear that I would make them miss their racial quota.

Pathetic.

[Sgt. Mom]

The whole victim/handicapped/special needs thing is what the official "feminists" are into, as well. I dropped away from things like NOW, once it became clear that to be counted as a "real" feminist, you had to internalize that whole victim/poor widdle me/brutalized by the patriarchy, and only the sisterhood can help you. It seemed, kind of counterproductive, seeing yourself as an eternal victim.

[Jason Bontrager]

I wonder if Frederick Douglass still gets covered in school? It doesn't seem like it. At least not this bit:

"What shall we do with the Negro?" I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with
us! Your doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us! If the apples will not remain on the tree of their own strength, if they are wormeaten at the core, if they are early ripe and disposed to fall, let them fall! I am not for tying or fastening them on the tree in any way, except by nature's plan, and if they will not stay there, let them fall. And if the Negro cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is, give him a chance to stand on his own legs! Let him alone!"

[Stephen Green]

Juliette,

I don't pretend to have any of the answers for this one. But I can say it's one of the best posts I've seen in a long time -- and that the discussion in the comments is just as good.

[Dirty Dingus]

FWIW if you have access to The Motley Fool message board the thread that includes Charles's response is here - http://boards.fool.com/Message.asp?mid=21029488&sort=whole

[wes jackson]

As I read these posts, it seems that as a few men like Bill Cosby and Rod Paige come out with strong comments, the bricks will start to fall.
At first ,I thought the wall was between blacks and conservatives, but the more I look it feels like a wall between the majority of blacks in the center and the majority of whites in the center. Good people all, with more in common than we knew. The folks at the ends of the political spectrum are losing their grip. Forums such as Baldilocks are spreading grease on their hands.

President Reagan was right, a rising tide lifts all boats. We will ALL be happier, richer in all ways when the majority of ALL people in this country have trust for one another.

[La Shawn]

This is Baldilocks snatching the words right out of my mouth:

"Implied in the question is that a political party must “do something” for blacks. Not merely the usual “something” that a government entity does for all of its constituents, e.g. provide utilities, regulate commerce, etc., but something special.

That word ‘special’ has taken on a new meaning in recent years and I think that it applies to the special items that liberals/leftists believe that the government should provide for the ‘special’ people, the “congenitally retarded” folk."

[DarkStar]

After the Republican ticket gaining a whopping 6-9 percent of the black American vote in that year’s election, one wonders why another would ask why.

In the link you'll notice Republicans who make the effort, get the votes.

when one isn’t wanted, is resoundingly vilified even when trying to reach out, one doesn’t go to a place..

Then there's Reagan who went to the union strongholds and got their votes.

the Republican mantle lends itself to choice and individuality.

Which is why Bush went to the NASCAR race to get the "NASCAR vote"? Or is it why Republicans pander to the farm vote when they are in farm country?

Individuality?

how do we know that Republicans haven’t tried to do outreach using black publications and been refused?

Because Anderson, who would be in the know, has said it wasn't even tried. Black publicans wouldn't turn down the money.

I link to a few liberal/leftist blogs, simply because of their thought processes: they’ve made honest, well-thought out choices for their stances. Would that more liberals/leftists were like them.

No sterotyping there, eh? :-)

[DANEgerus]

In a country built on 'freedom of opportunity' it is that 'freedom of opportunity' that needs to be protected as 'fair' requires subjective imposition of standards that limit opportunity and deny earned rewards.

The choice is Churchillian... inequal distribution of plenty or equal distibution of poverty.

To advocate 'special' for any group requires forceful imposition which denies opportunity for all of us.

[baldilocks]

Darkstar: I didn't say that Republicans not going into non-Republican areas was right, just understandable. Remember the shock troops line?

Stereotypes become such for a reason. I stereotype groups all through this blog; didn't just start in this post.

[Ith]

Brilliant.

[DarkStar]

Remember the shock troops line?

Yes, I do. But what I don't like is, in most cases, those shock troops are Black, but it wasn't Black Republicans who created the current situation. Yes, Blacks started voting for Democrats, but Republicans didn't start trying to get them back, either.

I stereotype groups all through this blog; didn't just start in this post.

It was a joke, hence the :-).

[Velociman]

Well said, my dear friend.

[Steampress]

As a white gramma,Christian,conservative in nature and politics, I have always been certain that there is a large silent majority out there that we don't hear from (I am in that group) who see people either as good people or bad. I am confortable with anyone who has a sweet spirit and concern for their fellow man and that's just about it. Americans are unique in that we represent the worlds genes; this country is our mother and we are the children. Simplistic yes;does it have to be complicated?

[La femme Crickita]

As always, thought provoking and well written.

[McGehee]

Republicans didn't start trying to get them back, either.

We have now. We're just not going through Julian Bond to do it.

[DarkStar]

We have now. We're just not going through Julian Bond to do it.

1. The fact that it's happening now, but not before, is reason enough for Blacks not to vote for Republicans.

2. Basic marketing says go where Blacks are and where they are likely to be listening or reading. So far, not much there at that level.

3. Stop saying Blacks are stupid to be voting for Democrats. No, stop BELIEVING Blacks are stupid.

[baldilocks]

DS:

1. How long will this shunning last? It only lasted a few years for the Democrats. Of course, President Johnson had a lot to do with that, as set forth in my previous post. Additionally, he met with the acknowledged civil rights leaders of the time. However, George Bush has blacks in his cabinet, not a token--which by its very definition would be one minor black functionary--but several in powerful positions. What's he got to do?

2. In the flow of the conversation, we've already established that you're correct about the outreach.

3. Where did he say that or imply that blacks are stupid? We have our ration just like every other group, however.

[DarkStar]

Re 1. IMO, white Republicans need to be the ones going into the Black communities, alone. There are Republicans who get a decent percentage of the Black vote. Look at what they do.

Re 3. When Republicans say that Democrats are taking Blacks for granted, that's a fair comment, one being said by many Blacks. When Republicans say that Blacks vote for Democrats "just because they are Democrats" or "out of reflex" or something like that, that's the same as saying Blacks are stupid.

If Republicans haven't tried to get the Black vote and Democrats do, even if they leave for 3 years, it's not stupid to not vote for the Republicans.

That's my take on it.

[trevorwest]

They could do more but then again what would be the point since 90% of the vote will be to their opponents no matter what they do. No good businessman will spend much money in a losing market. They will find a niche when a mass outreach effort fails.

I am more inclined towards Lashawn Barber's take on it: that Republicans should court black individuals and small scale self-help groups and grassroots organizations, rather than try any kind of mass appeal. That's the niche. A mass appeal will not make a huge difference because white liberals control the levers of government and can thus always buy a constituency and buy the "right" kind of black leardership.

The best that can be hoped for IMHO is a bigger percentage- say raise that 10 to 20%. Over time I think blacks will find that they are essentially irrelevant to the Democrat party except in a local way. Sure there will be lots of symbolic glad-handing and back-slapping and speech-making for the cameras, and in certain states they might be a factor but eventually the Democrats will be positioned to win without blacks. What will do it is the growth of the Hispanic and Asian populations, which while not now the "90 percenters" like blacks, are appearing in increasing numbers in Democrat ranks. California is an example.

[baldilocks]

When Republicans say that Blacks vote for Democrats "just because they are Democrats" or "out of reflex" or something like that, that's the same as saying Blacks are stupid.

I know many intelligent, competent black people that vote for Democrats out of reflex. I used to be one of them. I never thought about it, never paid too much attention to political issues, never turn political ideas around in my mind until the early nineties. (At age nineteen, I voted in my first presidential election for Jimmy Carter in 1980. Why? Because that who everyone I knew--mostly black--was voting for.) I may be no rocket scientist, but I'm no SPED type either. I just didn't pay the issues that much attention.

That's not stupidity, it's obliviousness and marching with the crowd. Plenty of intelligent people, regardles of race, do that.

I am more inclined towards Lashawn Barber's take on it: that Republicans should court black individuals and small scale self-help groups and grassroots organizations, rather than try any kind of mass appeal. That's the niche.

You do it by going to the Black media. Otherwise, you will never find the people you are looking to find; or CLAIM you are looking to find.

My bad, that's "pandering".

That's not stupidity, it's obliviousness and marching with the crowd. Plenty of intelligent people, regardles of race, do that.

OK, that's a great way to put it. Personally, I don't understand anyone who "pulls the lever" straight down the party line.

I never have understood it, and never will understand it.

[JT_Hunter]

From a Republican white guy's perspective, those that help themselves, I will gladly lend a helping hand to. This has nothing to do with the color of their skin. Great post, and comments. I learn so much from discussions such as this.

[DarkStar]

From a Republican white guy's perspective, those that help themselves, I will gladly lend a helping hand to.

Most Blacks are middle class and above. Why is the assumption that Blacks want a hand out?

[JT_Hunter]

I believe that I did state clearly that color has nothing to do with it.

[Samantha]

There's a differene between a "helping hand" and a "hand out". In the context of this podt and comments why assume that the helping hand is an assumption about the economic status of blacks in America?

How would you lend a helping hand in this situation JT?

[Mary in LA]

"Lending a helping hand" in private life, in a non-patronizing way, happens all the time. It might be simply by recommending a good dentist, a good dry cleaner, a good restaurant to bring out-of-town guests to. Or throwing a party so everyone on the block can meet the new neighbors. Or babysitting their kid. Or hiring their teenager to babysit your kid. Or the old standby, borrowing a cup of sugar (borrowing and returning small stuff, like a cup of sugar or a pair of hedge clippers, is one way to establish a relationship of trust and equality).

All the little interactions that used to be part of a "normal" neighborhood can add up, even if the neighborhood is an apartment building or condo complex instead of the classic suburb. I used to live in a somewhat dicey part of L.A., right on the fringes of some major gang territory. The worst thing that happened to us there was that my sister's bicycle was stolen out of the apartment garage and some graffiti was sprayed on our building.

Treat everybody "normally", and I believe that, by and large, you'll get "normal" treatment back. I also believe that most people who are rude are rude unintentionally. If someone cuts me off in traffic, for example, I assume that that individual is distracted, tired, or upset about something that has nothing to do with me.
People are people, wherever you find them.

Baldilocks, I love your blog!

[JT_Hunter]

WOW. Such a simple statement. Here is My take on it. I don't give a good GOD damned what color you are, I don't believe in giving hand outs to any one. Is it clear to you that this has nothing to do what so ever about race or color? You want hand outs, move to a socialist country. Now I was trying to very openly and I might add casualy express that anyone willing to make an effort gets my help. I guess I need to spell this out for you. Yes I believe in helping out those that are of a different race than mine, as well as my own. I was not trying to make a racial statement other than trying to define myself as one that is white and a Republican. That is who I am. I was also expressing to Baldilocks that I thought this was a great post, and that I very much enjoyed the comments as well. This is a way for me to learn.I probably should not have told you who I am up front.

[Helen]

Brilliant, simply brilliant.