[The following is a reprint of an op-ed during the 2008 election on being a black conservative. The letter was written by Jerome Hudson, he called the Glenn Beck show, Glenn asked him to forward the letter. Glenn has now shared it with the rest of us. This is too good to pass up, enjoy!]
While attending a black fraternity party, I recently learned it’s a bad idea to profess one’s affinity for Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity. Worse, according to current polls, it appears I may be the only black 22 year old in America who will be voting for Sen. John McCain.
It’s not that I was unaware that being a black conservative Republican puts me in the ultimate “minority.” After all, Shelby Steele’s classic article “ The Loneliness of the Black Conservative” has become an article of faith that I’ve all but committed to memory.
But I guess I had made the mistake of buying into all that liberal yammering about being “open minded” and supporting “diversity” that I’d deluded myself into believing that a civil, discussion about the herd-like ideological mentality of so many of my contemporaries suffer from was possible.
Boy, was I wrong. Big time!
My official “Negro” card got stripped away. I instantly lost my “blackness.” And now, consequently, I now am greeted with this: “Hey, y’all, here comes The Black Republican.”
And that’s when I think to myself, Hmmm…so this is how it feels to be an “Uncle Tom.”
Still, being labeled “The Black Republican” is undoubtedly a promotion from: “Hey, why are you dressed so nice? You got a job interview or something?” Or, worse, “Man, why are you talking like that? You sound white? Who do you think you are? A conservative Kanye West?”
But my path to ideological emancipation began where all the most important things always begin—with my father and mother. Growing up, my Army drill sergeant father was a firm believer in tough love. My parents instilled in us Christian values. But I believe that first part—having an involved mother and father—was critical. With 70% of all black babies being born out-of-wedlock, it’s no wonder black poverty remains entrenched, welfare has become a way of life, and that many of my fellow young black male counterparts choose gangsta life over college.
But it wasn’t until college that I realized I had been ensnared in what John McWhorter calls the “Cult of Victimology.” One of my professor’s pointed me toward a world of literature I’d never been introduced to: Thomas Sowell, John McWhorter, Shelby Steele, Star Parker, Angela McGlowan, Larry Elder, Walter Williams—they obliterated the Leftist foolishness that floods my community.
It was then that my eyes were opened to the truth, a truth that my father was willing to give his life for, a truth that hundreds of thousands of American soldiers have paid the ultimate price to pass on to future generations. And that truth is this: America remains the greatest country that God gave to man.
So imagine me, a member of various organizations that largely consist of young black Americans, most of whom are womb to the tomb Democrats and liberals, speaking openly about the many opportunities and blessings we enjoy in our great nation and refuting Michelle Obama’s supposition that America is a “downright mean place..”
Can you say…..social suicide?
“So Jerome,” the partygoers asked, “you’re REALLY a Republican?!”
Duh! Of course I’m a Republican! And your great grandparents were too!
Yes, I’m a member of the Anti-Slavery Party, the party responsible for: the 13th (abolished slavery), 14th (gave former slaves full citizenship rights), the 15th Amendment (gave slaves voting rights), the Civil Rights Act of 1871(protecting southern blacks from the Ku Klux Klan), the Reconstruction Acts, and the 1866, 1875, 1957, 1960, and 1964 Civil Rights Acts.
And no, my brothers and sisters, yesterday’s southern Democrats are NOT today’s Republicans! If so, former Klansman, Sen. Robert Byrd—the highest ranking senate Democrat and President Pro-Tempore of the Senate—apparently didn’t get the memo and forgot to switch parties.
But it’s more than just the history. I’m proud to stand for self-empowerment, personal responsibility, strong family values, small government, low taxes, free markets, a strong military, and individual achievement etc.
And don’t even get me started on which side stands up for the precious 1.4 million unborn children (32% of whom are black), who will be casualties in the war inside the womb. When I see these so-called “black leaders” bashing conservatives for “racist policies,” I wonder how they justify cheering on the political team who proudly defends the annihilation of 13 million black children since 1973.
And conservatives don’t care about black people? I don’t think so!
No, I think I’ll ride with the team who says enough with the welfare cancer that has destroyed people’s innate desire to achieve. Yes, I’ll ride with the folks who respect me enough to consider me their equal and not insult me with Affirmative Action racism. Yeah, I’ll ride with the gang who would rather create effective policies than emotional “feel good” symbolism that robs individuals of their desire to aspire.
So while it may take a little getting used to walking into college parties where I’m known as “The Black Republican,” I now realize I am a newly inducted member of a rich tradition of ideologically emancipated black conservatives. And guess what? I’m more than cool with that. I’m proud, actually.
“The conservative Kanye West”? Hmmm… Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
This is a very nicely compiled piece of crap. I understand and respect Mr. Hudson’s viewpoints, I understand and respect all conservative thinking. But what I do not understand from all parties is why we can’t all respect each other. I myself was brought up in a two parent home, I was taught values and self respect. It was drilled in me to work hard for what I wanted because nothing is free. My mother and my father challenged me to be the best that I can be and in return, my husband and I teach this to our children. Just like Mr. Hudson, I dress a little different, I talk a little different, my husband does not wear t-shirts EVER, he is always tucked in, he does not own a pair of tennis shoes, and neither do I. I said this to say, just because we talk different and live different than others, NEVER makes us better. I think the welfare system is a good system to have, I myself have never been on it, and pray that I never have to use it, but I do believe that it should be there for those who need it, and will not abuse it. See the thing of it is regardless of color and political orientation, everyone needs help, that is why welfare and financial aide and student grants and scholarships are here, to assist. Like everything else in life, these things are taken for granted, they are abused. But it is the people such as Mr. Hudson, who has a business mind to capitalize on this abuse. Mr. Hudson, since you reside in Tallahassee, Florida, you are aware of the high income communites here, and most of them are filled with people that think such as yourself, and they are the same people who utilize the welfare system. Mr. Hudson, I challenge you to study up on how many homes in the Killern area except housing. How many home owners build homes, rent them out to housing and allow the system to pay their mortage, while they relocate to a bigger home in a better neighborhood. Mr. Hudon, have you ever heard of the saying “birds of a feather, flock together”? You are not much different from the people, you seem to not understand, you party with them, so therefore you must have something in common with them outside of the color of your skin. All in all — Lets’ be real, Mr. Hudson!
Mrs. Wiley, thanks so much for visiting and especially for your comment. It sounds like you appreciate the values of conservative thinking, so I’m not sure what your gripe with Jerome is. You said “I do not understand from all parties is why we can’t all respect each other” and I think most Americans agree with that idea. My take on his letter is that he is frustrated that so many black Americans vote Democratic based on tradition, not on the facts of the past or the facts of the present. He makes great points and lists specific things accomplished by Conservatives, especially so many things having to do with removing racial barriers in America.
Several years ago I found myself and my family on Welfare. It sucked, but I was on it for about 8 months. That, plus food stamps, plus emergency health insurance for our newborn and three year old. However, I used the system as it was intended to be used. It was a temporary thing and I am now doing a heck of a lot better. You also said “I do believe that it should be there for those who need it, and will not abuse it.” and again, I completely agree with you. The problem I see is that so many people are lazy and prefer to lower their life expectations by staying on the system instead of making the hard decisions needed to get OFF of the system.
Are there any specific points in Jermome’s letter that you disagree with? I really appreciate your feedback Mrs. Wiley. Thanks so much.
This young man needs to grow up, hurry and finish his education, and GET READY TO RUN FOR OFFICE!!!!!!!! He’s already got my vote – whatever he runs for.
When will we admit that both white liberals and white conservatives are racists? Both movements pride themselves in what “they have done for us.” If it’s not the liberals screaming that blacks need special treatment, it’s conservatives screaming, “We freed you from slavery.” When blacks period (despite ideology) begin to understand that the oligarchical powers (Republicans and Democrats) are not designed to serve black interests (when whites wake up and realize that they have been poor under both–they will fair better), then self-interests will come to the forefront. PS – I am a black Conservative who is not concerned about having my “black” card stripped, and I am not concerned about the view of whites either.
I would like to publish this letter in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Unfortunatly if this is a false letter, it sounds all to real. “And that’s when I think to myself, Hmmm…so this is how it feels to be an “Uncle Tom.” ” How many black conservatives have been called “uncle tom”, probably any one of them in the public eye. Thomas, Rice, and Powell for sure that I know of. Pretty important Americans.
That’s right sir.Could not agree with you more. I am happy to be a conservative person of color and glad to see some of us waking up and moving off the plantation of liberalism.