Are things uncomfortable at home for African Americans in the South who are moderate to conservative? Booker Rising, the premiere conservative Black political blog, has a great quiz in their margin. The quiz would indicate that a surprising number of Black voters down here are actually moderate if not conservative. Then, what’s the problem?
The problem could be fitting these people neatly into the two existing major political parties. On the Left, national Democrats go a little too far with spending and the role of government—well intended but not fiscally sound. On the Right, the methods of the Far Right segment are too much for many in my community to stomach.
In Georgia, I can respect the efforts of Melvin Everson, Cory Ruth and Dr. Deborah Honeycutt as Black candidates in the GOP. If Honeycutt doesn’t win the runoff, a pattern seems to be appearing because she would be the candidate best positioned to attract members of our community from strong Rep. David Scott. Everson would have won the general election because his time at my alma mater Albany State University gave him a ready-made statewide network. I am even concerned that other GOP candidates downplay or don’t want our support because their base view most Blacks as liberal.
Democrat Senate candidate R.J. Hadley stomped all over Georgia—even Tea Party type events. He is a rising star in Georgia politics. Here’s a good question: who has more juice in the southern GOP, the Tea Party Movement or the African American community. On Booker Rising, I read the post from Black Tea Party people with an open-mind. But, this is Georgia and Atlanta is the best Black city on earth. I can’t call it but thanks to the conservatives who look like me for standing by your guns while moderates are purged. If the Blue Dogs spend time with conservatives in swing district, conservative candidate should do the same on some level…in swing districts.
I would strongly recommend that the Red team “show the flag” in every community. While votes might be few in certain circles, elected officials in our form of government represent everyone—not just the people who vote for them. What’s interesting is that many of the GOP candidates worked with and around various types of people in their professional backgrounds. They get to party meetings everyone is cookie cutter of each other and fearful of any others. Do like the Blue Dogs and insist on being the candidate you want to be. Like R.J. Hadley and Ray McKinney, candidates should talk talk talk with anyone who will listen.
Project Logic Ga 
Brother Slyram:
Peace and love brother.
Let me throw a different angle at you with respect to “conservator-ship”.
While there is no doubt that we will not see the “American Political Domain”deemphasized as a (the) key pathway by which our communities will be tended to and fixed – it seems to me that there is another set of forces that are not been addressed through this channel.
Scientists have coined the term “dark matter” because despite the fact that these forces are not visible with their equipment – the forces that this material bears down upon causing it to act in a prescribed manner has lead them to agree upon this term.
I make the same argument with respect to the political space. Even when our people are victorious in the political space our grievances remain unchecked.
This causes me to believe that our present binary model is not an accurate representation of the world:
* Democrat/ Republican
* Liberal / Conservative
We still have problems that are unmanaged.
I have concluded that the real binary choice in addressing our community’s issues (assuming that this is the purpose of our activism) is:
*The American Political Domain
and the
* Community Cultural Consciousness & Competency Development Domain.
There is no blue/red divide in the latter.
There is only “Is it working toward bringing forth our permanent interests or is it failing to do so?”
I personally think that the embedded political operatives that enjoy unchecked access to our racial consciousness nucleus have been using us for THEIR OWN interests.
CF: Let’s talk about Arsenio Hall. I found his questions for guests simplistic and information that he should know as a friend of said guest. Then, one day he was a guest on another talk show and explained that he asks questions for the average person sitting at home.
We have established that you grasp of the political world and what our community should do to better function in it are deeper than the average person and me—and I am no lightweight. We can talk about what we should ideally do (we should drink 8 glasses of water a day) but people don’t always do that. I really enjoy reading your blog and your comments on Booker Rising and yes, you are correct. Our community shouldn’t fit into the classic political groups.
Actually, we would be better off if we didn’t constantly wonder if elected officials and governmental agency will “help” us with our problems. Like Blacks in the 1950s, we should avoid having problems or having our lives influenced by the state. Of course, people of color in the 50s need the government to stop race-based abuse but the future should be a fair opportunity to grow and prosper. If personal decisions and actions limit one’s grow, that’s is person doing.
If you don’t mind, I think Helen Blocker Adams would love to have you call into her radio show and share you theories on our community so we can more options.
After the runoff election next week, this blog hopes to spearhead some listening events to ensure that our community has open lines of communication with various candidates. The seems project seems ambitious but hey what we call say and think should go pass the internet.
Slyram, as always you’re on point. You and I have rubbed off on each other over the years. (smile). It wasn’t until I spent time working with a campaign for a black conservative (Herman Cain) and I met, then later in 2005 ran for Mayor in Augusta and then for a House Seat in 2006 as an independent that I came to realize that the two parties simply do not fit the ‘masses.’ We, the people, are not Hasbro toys. We are more like a 300 piece puzzle, lots of sizes, shapes, colors and it’s difficult to put those in two major political parties. That is becoming so painfully clear every day. It seems the only people who win in this emphasis on the two party system are the ones who sing and talk the loudest about them and then you can watch the money trail. It seems, people like me and you, who want to have a dialogue, want to identify others who want to dialogue about diversity, about looking and voting for the person who ‘best’ represents the masses, no matter their politicial affiliation, do not have a money trail in which to follow. Maybe that pot at the end of the tunnel is there.
Regarding the other person who commented, sure I would love to have you join my radio program, via telephone, one Thursday night to discuss this subject. I’ve got a model (you and I have worked on this Slyram) of the Listening Parties you’ve spoken of and it’s Coffee and Tea Summits. Maybe it’s time to dust off the concept and put it into action. Oh, I’ve already trademarked the name. Would love to get some feedback from our readers….