How do we change the image of Black conservatives

[Black N Right]

While the majority of Blacks profess conservative beliefs in regards to religion, abortion and gay marriage-these things are not seen unifying us all and many Blacks still are loyal to the racist Democrats whose whole history is trying to take down the Black people. So what do we do to change that perception? What do we do to get this movement off the ground?

[Black N Right]

I used to live in S. CA. and in my neighborhood were several gay male couples. I don't remember the topic but I blindly assumed they were liberal and it didn't take long before they set me straight with my unfair characterization of their political leanings.

That happened to me today. I was at school and I was in my law class and I was nervous about the test but we were going over everything until the teacher came. I was answering my classmates questions. It felt really good as they looked at me as if I was the expert. Then I started talking to a young man who happened to be White. I was explaining how I really liked this stuff and it was my passion. I told him I wanted to be a lobbyist (which is pretty much the equivalent of saying I want to be a child molester most times) and I got the stand-by look like, "Why would you want to do that." And I explained that I wanted to be a lobbyist for conservative grassroots organizations. Thinking I must've misspoke he asked me, "You mean liberal?" and I sweetly said "No, I mean conservative." He probably thought to hmself, "Well that explains the lobbyist thing, she is a greedy capitalist pig." LOL No, I shouldn't say that. That would be doing what he did to me assuming I got him figured out when I don't. Just like me going to community college doesn't make me a Che Guvarra fan.

[George Cook]

I think we need to put more people out there just being themselves and not trying to be conservative. You have far too many talking heads on TV that resemble the stereotype of what you think a black conservative would talk and speak like. We need people who are black first and conservative second so that poeople can relate to them more.

[Karen McDonald]

It seems to me that the most visible leaders of the Black community (Rev. Sharpton, Jesse Jackson et al.) are the very people that most desire to keep everyone locked in their respective roles. The whites/rich/big corporations/powerful are the enemy. The non-whites/poor/unemployed/downtrodden/disenfranchised are their "flock". Without being too cynical, I think that this is an extremely lucrative role for them to play. Unless an alternative "spokesperson" or leader is found soon, not much is going to change. I find it curious that there is no strong, visible Black conservative leader out there. And if there is, I haven't met him or her! Surely there is someone that we can support and promote to be a strong LOUD voice.

[Irene King]

Persistence. That's what will work. In addition, when we are called House N-word, Porch N-word, Uncle/Aunt Toms/Thomasinas (and we are), we have to realize that that's the only weapon that they have - name-calling. The Bill of Rights is meant for each and every American, and the crux of the civil rights struggle was to make sure that we were included in the American dream. And that means not to depend on big government and to finally get a chance for the opportunities afforded every other American. The Dems - for WHATEVER reason - have been playing black folks for decades. It seems to me that only those of us who have given the Dems our asses to kiss have been successful at something else other than professional politicizing.

[Irene King]

So what does being "black first" mean? Nowadays - especially with the likes of Jesse and Al - that doesn't have a clear meaning anymore. A friend of mine who is a teacher played the music of Lena Horne and Cab Calloway in his classroom, and got yelled at by the kids for not playing "black music." So are we "black first" to the ignorant?

George Cook said:

I think we need to put more people out there just being themselves and not trying to be conservative. You have far too many talking heads on TV that resemble the stereotype of what you think a black conservative would talk and speak like. We need people who are black first and conservative second so that poeople can relate to them more.