Greetings HBCU-GOP,
Have you ever thought about the role of the HBCU in modern times? If we know our history, then we know that these institutions were founded because of and in spite of the bigotry and systematic discrimination that Black Americans suffered during post-slavery Reconstruction and Jim Crow. We needed institutions of higher learning that catered to our needs, and the HBCU was born. However, now that times are different, does the HBCU still continue to play a significant role in our society?
I ask this question because as conservative thinkers, the idea of an all Black learning environment may at times seem contradictory to our sociopolitical beliefs. Furthermore, as are most college campuses, HBCU campuses are havens of liberal thought, even more so because of our collective loyalty to the Democratic party. Most politically concientious students at HBCUs are Democrats with tendencies toward Black nationalism.
As conservatives, that is not who we are at all. I am proud to be Black, but Black is not what defines me. My race is only a portion of who I am, and although God created me as a Black woman for a purpose, that purpose was not to create a superficial basis for my identity.
We could say that we still attend HBCUs for the history, but if the truth is told, that history is mostly social, (the African American studies departments are tiny, and so one sided that they aren't relevant) and even that is dying out. I'm greek, and in case you didn't know it, the greek scene at most HBCUs these days is cat to say the least (using a little bit of vernacular), and the sophistication that once shrouded the serious, focused student bodies has been replaced by a gutter idea of being crunk at all costs. The marching bands are still hot, but that's far less than enough to justify the need or relevance of today's HBCU.
So, for a conservative thinker, what purpose does the HBCU serve? You guys are fortunate enough to have figured out which way was "right" while you were still in school...
So, post your thoughts. There is no right or wrong answer - its a purely philosophical kind of vibe...
I.C. Jackson
"Need some more? Visit the Black Conservatives Blogspot on MySpace!"
http://blog.myspace.com/blackconservatives
Dec 17, 2006
Dec 12, 2006
A problem with authority-
Well, i have a problem ad as usual no one seems to be able to help me so maybe you guys can you seem to know alot more than the others... I plan on having a Black history forum ad of course I'm starting early (I'm dealing with my people) to start early i need to get OUR account info from OUR advisor. Here's a little history- she is a very busy lawyer who is a single mom and a professor and blah.. blah.. I have been calling her on her cell 4 times a day and i call the office and i get the same "secretarial" answer. She is a white lady and race has nothing to do with it but she doesn't know who i am dealing with SUBR! what do i do i am trying to prior plan because that alone prevents a piss poor performance, but i cant get people to move with me. And also what are some freshman recruitment ideas.. "help me PLEASE"...
The Great Black Hope Illusion
With all the excitement on Barack Obama tonight I had to google him and found an article that identified to a sinking feeling I had by Benjamin Wallace-Wells "The Great Black Hope". He goes into similar stories of ivy league, presidential aspirant Cory Booker and his rise in popularity among whites and his disappointing loss at New Jersey mayor. Similar to Obama he served as a sign for white America that things are changed and everyone favored and loved the guy. The New York Times to CBS news couldn't stop discussing him as a potential presidential candiadate. Like Obama he was a neophyte, like Obama he was charasmatic, and like Obama he was infectious in the media. He was a great speaker and was a smoothest fundraiser seen. With all the promise in him there was still one major issue. He was black. He always ws going to be black. No matter how the media wants to hype up Obama, there will always be that same issue. Booker lost by 3000 votes and was proclaimed afterwards of being too young, brainy, and inexperienced. Furthermore, Wallace- Wells added:
"For this small group of black politicians, race has been an advantage because whites see in them confirmation that America, finally, is working. Blacks, after all, aren't just any minority, the moral equivalent of Asian-Pacific Islanders but six times the size. They are the victims of much of our country's most vicious oppression, the cause of our deepest historical divisions, the stubborn counter-example that suggests our system isn't as fair or just as we would like it to be. The act of redressing these injustices has absorbed much of the political and emotional energy in America for 150 years. And while all Americans can take some pride in what racial progress African Americans have made in recent years, what whites—and indeed blacks—really want is for the whole awful nightmare behind them. The ultimate proof that we have finally done so would be for a black person to be elected president of the United States. In Barack Obama or Colin Powell, whites, giddily, begin to see not only figures who can command both white and black votes but also the promise of a real racial unity. Their candidacies are thrilling because they carry with them the notion that the symbolic gap between the races may be beginning to close."
The problem is in essence that these talented individuals are elevated too high way too fast. I've read the "Audacity of Hope" and it is high on inspiration but low on policy. The media is looking at him as president and we have no idea what he even stands for. With the media's track record, they will send you into orbit in one moment and plan your demise in the same breath. So far all what I've seen, in terms of voting record is: Yes to GOP initiative of limits on class action lawsuits and the confirmation of Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State and yes to just about everything else his colleagues voted for (which sounds a little scary considering the left wing of the party's track record), No to the Consumer Bankruptcy Abuse Act, but has done nothing really "knee jerking".
Nathaniel Peete Jr.
"For this small group of black politicians, race has been an advantage because whites see in them confirmation that America, finally, is working. Blacks, after all, aren't just any minority, the moral equivalent of Asian-Pacific Islanders but six times the size. They are the victims of much of our country's most vicious oppression, the cause of our deepest historical divisions, the stubborn counter-example that suggests our system isn't as fair or just as we would like it to be. The act of redressing these injustices has absorbed much of the political and emotional energy in America for 150 years. And while all Americans can take some pride in what racial progress African Americans have made in recent years, what whites—and indeed blacks—really want is for the whole awful nightmare behind them. The ultimate proof that we have finally done so would be for a black person to be elected president of the United States. In Barack Obama or Colin Powell, whites, giddily, begin to see not only figures who can command both white and black votes but also the promise of a real racial unity. Their candidacies are thrilling because they carry with them the notion that the symbolic gap between the races may be beginning to close."
The problem is in essence that these talented individuals are elevated too high way too fast. I've read the "Audacity of Hope" and it is high on inspiration but low on policy. The media is looking at him as president and we have no idea what he even stands for. With the media's track record, they will send you into orbit in one moment and plan your demise in the same breath. So far all what I've seen, in terms of voting record is: Yes to GOP initiative of limits on class action lawsuits and the confirmation of Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State and yes to just about everything else his colleagues voted for (which sounds a little scary considering the left wing of the party's track record), No to the Consumer Bankruptcy Abuse Act, but has done nothing really "knee jerking".
Nathaniel Peete Jr.
Dec 9, 2006
For those who call the truth a big whine
Many people seemed to be upset with my original post, calling it bascially a whine that does not exist. Of course many liberals and so called "independents" who have never pulled the lever for anyone other than the Democratic Party are perfectly content to accept liberal dogma as truth and come to the conclusion that there is no liberal bias in news, despite the fact that 88 percent of reporters are registered Democrat. These people also don't like the idea that there is a liberal bias on nearly every college campus, not to mention the fact that there is a large bias towards Black radicalism as well as radical left wing politics on almost every college campus because of the nature of youth combined with tenured radical professors. If you can't see that, you are either blind to the facts, or like most liberals, you ignore the facts for your own misguided beliefs.
But since the critics clearly never read past the opening line of my original post, allow me to clarify what I mean when I say loneliness of Black conservatives. My point is that African-American conservatives are left out of the discussions on how to reform Black America. If you can point to the occasion where prominent Black conservatives have been invited to Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH convention or the NAACP convention, please write back and feel free to let me know. However, since I was there working as a membe of the media and asked both why there were no African-American conservatives represented, I think you will be hard pressed to prove me wrong. The fact is that the Civil Rights generation is so in bed with the Dims, that there is no way that any prominent Black leader over the age of 50 will invite Black Republicans to work with them because of the perception that Black members for the GOP are "working for the man", or are simply Uncle Toms. If you don't think this is true, lookat the Oreo pelting that Michael Steele endured, and the painitings of Steele in Blackface, and how no Civil Right "leaders" rushed to defend him. Yet you can bet if the shoe had been on the other foot and if Republicans had painted Harold Ford Jr in Blackface, the Democrats would have painted the entire GOPas a party of racist rednecks. There is a double standard for Black conservatives, and the lonlieness factor comes into play when the majority of political Blacks don't even look to Black conservatives for ideas and a GOP that is unwilling to play the same racial card the the Dims have been using since they pretended to stop being the party of slavery and instead have moved to pretend they are the Party of Civil Rights. This is still the Democratic Party of Senator and Klansman Robert Byrd who used nigger on live television last year; again no response from the "party of equality". You can call this a whine, but you cannot ignore plain and simple facts.
But since the critics clearly never read past the opening line of my original post, allow me to clarify what I mean when I say loneliness of Black conservatives. My point is that African-American conservatives are left out of the discussions on how to reform Black America. If you can point to the occasion where prominent Black conservatives have been invited to Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH convention or the NAACP convention, please write back and feel free to let me know. However, since I was there working as a membe of the media and asked both why there were no African-American conservatives represented, I think you will be hard pressed to prove me wrong. The fact is that the Civil Rights generation is so in bed with the Dims, that there is no way that any prominent Black leader over the age of 50 will invite Black Republicans to work with them because of the perception that Black members for the GOP are "working for the man", or are simply Uncle Toms. If you don't think this is true, lookat the Oreo pelting that Michael Steele endured, and the painitings of Steele in Blackface, and how no Civil Right "leaders" rushed to defend him. Yet you can bet if the shoe had been on the other foot and if Republicans had painted Harold Ford Jr in Blackface, the Democrats would have painted the entire GOPas a party of racist rednecks. There is a double standard for Black conservatives, and the lonlieness factor comes into play when the majority of political Blacks don't even look to Black conservatives for ideas and a GOP that is unwilling to play the same racial card the the Dims have been using since they pretended to stop being the party of slavery and instead have moved to pretend they are the Party of Civil Rights. This is still the Democratic Party of Senator and Klansman Robert Byrd who used nigger on live television last year; again no response from the "party of equality". You can call this a whine, but you cannot ignore plain and simple facts.
Dec 8, 2006
We Made Booker Rising
Shay is like the black female instapundit and she did this blog a huge favor by linking to it yesterday. Thanks!
The blog as a whole caught a lot of slack for the "Loneliness Of A Black Conservative" post with many of Shay's readers labeling it a whine. Without getting into how obvious it is that those visitors didn't read past the title--which for many, I understand, would be asking far too much-- I would like to speak a little bit about why I NEVER complain about the lack of black ideological cohorts.
1. Beginning to even care how another black person thinks is a page straight out of the Democrat playbook for Negroes.As black conservatives, we've all seen the noses turned up and the smacking of the lips when some black people hear of our political affiliation. I don't know why they care and I think it's stupid to get any emotions going because some body's ideology and race don't "match" in your opinion.. Black conservatives, libertarians or whatever shouldn't even mind that most black people want to identify themselves with the Democrats. Their loss.
2. I think most of us who attend or have at one time attended HBCUs are quite happy that MOST of the students at our schools don't want to be aligned with us.
3. Being a political minority has its perks. We are able to mobilize a lot easier and our groups tend to have more active members on HBCU campuses since like-mided people are so happy to learn of each other. At Texas Southern we had over 40 members, with about 20 who were ride or die.
The blog as a whole caught a lot of slack for the "Loneliness Of A Black Conservative" post with many of Shay's readers labeling it a whine. Without getting into how obvious it is that those visitors didn't read past the title--which for many, I understand, would be asking far too much-- I would like to speak a little bit about why I NEVER complain about the lack of black ideological cohorts.
1. Beginning to even care how another black person thinks is a page straight out of the Democrat playbook for Negroes.As black conservatives, we've all seen the noses turned up and the smacking of the lips when some black people hear of our political affiliation. I don't know why they care and I think it's stupid to get any emotions going because some body's ideology and race don't "match" in your opinion.. Black conservatives, libertarians or whatever shouldn't even mind that most black people want to identify themselves with the Democrats. Their loss.
2. I think most of us who attend or have at one time attended HBCUs are quite happy that MOST of the students at our schools don't want to be aligned with us.
3. Being a political minority has its perks. We are able to mobilize a lot easier and our groups tend to have more active members on HBCU campuses since like-mided people are so happy to learn of each other. At Texas Southern we had over 40 members, with about 20 who were ride or die.
Dec 6, 2006
Re: Did Ford Race Create A Bridge In Tennessee
Your point is well taken...
I worked for the College Republicans and a lot of my time was focused on their efforts on the Bob Corker race. You would never believe how many dirty looks I got when black people found out what I was doing. How dare I work against a black man, even if I think he's a flake and the ultimate son of privilege?
The 95% number touches on three things- 1. How blacks think they must vote for the person who is black--as long as they are a Democrat; 2. How blacks will not tolerate any dissent, especially when it comes to blacks voting against other blacks--as long as they are Democrats; 3. Finally, how blacks blindly vote.
Harold Ford campaigned as a strong conservative Democrat. Steve Cohen, who ran to replace Ford at the congressional level campaigned as a liberal Democrat. Both overwhelmingly got most of the black vote. What does this say about black people? I believe it says most blacks (or at least the ones who voted for both Cohen AND Ford) have no values, they only have party, all they know is the D is good and they are sticking with it.
This is why I personally have no problem with black people voting lock-step with Democrats. Most of my black republican friends get caught up in this whole outreach mirage, they think that most black people would vote Republican if they knew what the party actually stands for. I'm getting to the point of thinking that if you are an adult, and don't know what a major political party stands for then you are the last person I want in my party. As a matter of fact if Bob Corker was getting 95% of the black vote I would seriously have to reconsider my support since it would say a lot about him.
I do believe younger black people are less beholden to a party, but they aren't the major voting bloc. Until they are, I doubt we'll see any change in voting habits.
--Scooter Jackson
I worked for the College Republicans and a lot of my time was focused on their efforts on the Bob Corker race. You would never believe how many dirty looks I got when black people found out what I was doing. How dare I work against a black man, even if I think he's a flake and the ultimate son of privilege?
The 95% number touches on three things- 1. How blacks think they must vote for the person who is black--as long as they are a Democrat; 2. How blacks will not tolerate any dissent, especially when it comes to blacks voting against other blacks--as long as they are Democrats; 3. Finally, how blacks blindly vote.
Harold Ford campaigned as a strong conservative Democrat. Steve Cohen, who ran to replace Ford at the congressional level campaigned as a liberal Democrat. Both overwhelmingly got most of the black vote. What does this say about black people? I believe it says most blacks (or at least the ones who voted for both Cohen AND Ford) have no values, they only have party, all they know is the D is good and they are sticking with it.
This is why I personally have no problem with black people voting lock-step with Democrats. Most of my black republican friends get caught up in this whole outreach mirage, they think that most black people would vote Republican if they knew what the party actually stands for. I'm getting to the point of thinking that if you are an adult, and don't know what a major political party stands for then you are the last person I want in my party. As a matter of fact if Bob Corker was getting 95% of the black vote I would seriously have to reconsider my support since it would say a lot about him.
I do believe younger black people are less beholden to a party, but they aren't the major voting bloc. Until they are, I doubt we'll see any change in voting habits.
--Scooter Jackson
Perceptions of the Black Community internal and external
I’ve found myself reading articles on blacks and the conservative movement, black collective voting, and just conservatism in general. Some have especially made me think a little broader. I read an article in the Fall 2006 Public Opinion Quarterly (Vol. 70 no. 3) titled "Ideology and the Affective Structure of Whites' racial perceptions". The researchers took data from respondents that would consider themselves liberal or independent leaning to the left and conservative or independent leaning to right (those in the middle were kicked out of the research study) and attempted to mediate between the conflict between humanitism and individualism as it applies to conservative views and perceptions. The study found "that whites with a college degree and higher levels of political expertise were associated with more positive perceptions of blacks, while greater conservatism was associated with more negative perceptions of blacks." (Vol. 70 no. 3 POQ). (Just in case I will site it) but their were a lot of conflicting views and perceptions within the conservatives. Also, the results of the liberals were not mentioned. The reason I brought this up isn't necessarily the case study itself but what is our own perceptions and conflicts within ourselves? The conservatives and liberals in the study were equally sympathetic on the struggles blacks encountered during the civil rights era and prior no matter what ideology they had. The difference was that the conservatives took a more individualistic tone on blacks and the community. No special treatment needed etc.. and success comes from personal choices in this day and time. This made me think of how Bill Cosby was attacked in all directions when he made his statements for us and about us by telling black America to take a look in the mirror. It seemed that many blacks applauded him while many took shots at him and even wrote books attacking his credibility. Many blacks I have come into contact with feel the same way as the white conservatives in the survey. There seems to be a standard of being black that gets fuzzier as one turns conservative. We have the same conflicting issues in our community though we have a disproportionate ideology when looking at our voting patterns. This ties into to the article in which Lorrine Crenshaw wrote on RBE website, in which the black vote is so polarized that Russell Simmons had to do a public statement explaining to black America why he endorsed a republican, which I think is totally insane or the Tennessee Tribune listing an article of blacks in the Nashville community who do not vote with their home numbers and addresses. I know this post is a little random but it I think it is still something that we as young people should discuss.
Nathaniel Peete Jr.
Nathaniel Peete Jr.
Dec 1, 2006
Did Ford Race Create a Bridge In Tennessee
The Ford/Corker race brought something into light for me. Listening to talk radio host, Phil Valentine after the race there was another racial debate going on the shoe Let me first say that Ford, agree or disagree with his politics, accomplished an amazing feat for the black politician in Tennessee. He got reportedly 40% of the white vote and 95%b of the black vote. It was said to be the end of the era of the hidden white vote that says they'll vote for a black man but just can't pull themselves that direction in the booth. Back to the point, it opened up a dialogue in which I have never heard. Blacks were said to be more racist or as racist as whites. First, I didn't know so many black people listened to Phil Valentine LOL, but all races were telling the way they really felt. No one there to judge them. I heard whites say that wouldn't vote for Ford because of race and stood by that...... I respected the honesty. I heard whites accused the black community of being uninformed and "blind voters" (95% is a large average but what is the story behind the number? I would say blacks are more conservative and too conservative to be any where involved with democrats. Regardless, this type of forum was helpful, in my opinion, because there are several parts of Tennessee where blacks are scarce to none and hearing a black point of view helps especially a black conservative view. The forum caused anger and laughter at the same time and it almost felt like a moment of healing to a extent. Ford didn't win but he came close. He may have alone set the stage for the first black senator in the south since Senator Blanche K. Bruce (first to finish a term) of Mississippi and Hiram Rhoades Revels from Pre-construction. It will happen and maybe sooner than most think.
Nathaniel Peete Jr.
Nathaniel Peete Jr.
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