[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?
First watch this clip for some high quality professional journalism plus a dose of z-snapping Obama defense
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAliIfO5kZk]
For starters, it is hysterical that MSNBC can’t spend a day without whining about what a popular talk show host has to say. They can’t get over it, they are like a gaggle of over-dramatic pre-teen girls. MSNBC is so afraid of anyone mocking their Messiah that they have to try and crush any voice in opposition to their uneducated, emotional, punch drunk attempts at news reporting.
As a dose of perspective please consider the following comments made on MSNBC by the world-renowned biased horses ass Keith Olberdouche:
- Dick Cheney is “as insane as any terrorist“
- he said about George W Bush: “There is a dictionary definition, one word that describes that toxic blend. You’re a fascist“ (man, did he get that one wrong, or what?)
- Olby also said of Bush: “You would not merely be guilty of siding with the terrorists. You would not merely be guilty of prioritizing the telecoms over the people… You would not merely be guilty of treason, sir… You would be personally, and eternally, responsible. We will not fear the recognition of the manipulation of our yearning for safety — we will call it what it is: terrorism.”
Puh-lease. MSNBC is the laughing stock of the cable news world, led by the pompouse Matthews and Olbermann. Olbermann’s uneducated yet overly worded rage has become so misguided and irrational that he has created a charicature of himself even more entertaining than that played by Ben Afleck. You, sir, are not worth the saliva you spew during your childish tirades. Your political commentaries are as thought provoking as the screaming of a spoiled child (was this you as a lad?). Go back to sports where you actually did something Americans could understand and appreciate.
Ooh… did he just say that? Did the Loud Talker agree with Rush Limbaugh and say he hopes President Obama fails? I’ve got two more words for you: Hell yes.
Ever since Rush made the statement “I hope he fails” when referring to an Obama Presidency, he has been taking yet another brow beating from the liberal blogging community. They, as usual, have their undies all in a bunch and are saying crazy things instead of actually listening to the words, and all of them, not just those particular four. Well, you can read the transcript for yourself to see what he said, or you could act like a child and cover your ears in a screaming tantrum of denial. This is standard behavior for the emotional Left. Forget the facts, do it if it feels good, whine, complain, make a fuss until you get your way, to hell with accountability or the repurcussions of your own actions. Liberals are mental teenagers: full of angst, rage, confusion, but most important: undeniably uninformed and lacking perspective.
Here’s the transcript: Let’s look at what Rush said during his rant. Not what he said afterwards, not what he said when asked about it. This is the original message, the message that the Left only heard four words from: “I hope he fails.”
I know what his politics are. I know what his plans are, as he has stated them. I don’t want them to succeed.
I agree with this 100%. Obama has been telling us for the past two years what he wants to do. He has shown us in his actions and by his associations what he believes and who he supports. I don’t want Socialism. Screw Saul Alinsky, screw ACORN, and screw Chicago politics.
Liberalism is our problem. Liberalism is what’s gotten us dangerously close to the precipice here. Why do I want more of it? I don’t care what the Drive-By story is. I would be honored if the Drive-By Media headlined me all day long: “Limbaugh: I Hope Obama Fails.” Somebody’s gotta say it.
Direct hit. Bingo. If you are unaware of the negative effects of Liberal/Democratic policies, you are uninformed and need to do more research. Don’t just brush this off as a crazy conservative opinion. Do the research. Here’s an example: The housing bubble was undeniably caused by Liberal policies and the noble, yet poorly executed plan of making home ownership available to everyone. This housing bubble led to the financial crisis that we are now in. What is the Liberal fix? Let’s give the failing banks $350B. Now, several months later, after not being able to track where that money went, after the banks are unable/unwilling to tell is what they did with the money, the Liberal response is to give the banks another $350B. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is called insanity. Another word for this is Democratic legislation.
We’re talking about my country, the United States of America, my nieces, my nephews, your kids, your grandkids. Why in the world do we want to saddle them with more liberalism and socialism? Why would I want to do that? So I can answer it, four words, “I hope he fails.”
True conservatives want liberal policies to fail. They are in direct contrast with our values, and often in direct contrast with financial and business logic. To my left-leaning friends I ask:
- Did you want the Bush war to succeed or fail?
- Do you want the Bush tax cuts to be repealed?
- Did you want Bush to fail with any and all opposition to overturning Roe v. Wade?
If so, you wanted Bush to fail, and there is nothing wrong with that. Obama’s policies concerning welfare, job creation and international law will bankrupt America and diminish our freedoms. You cannot tax your way to prosperity. You cannot make America better by printing more money and soaking the rich. You cannot make America better by falsely promising to work across the aisle, yet reminding your opponents of your role by saying “I won.” A true leader works to bring people together, I have yet to see a single thing that President Obama has proposed or done to do this.
President Obama, I hope your presidency is a dismal failure. I hope you fail at turning America into a Socialist playground for your community organizing friends. I hope you fail when working with criminal organizations such as ACORN and Planned Parenthood. I hope your policies also cause criminals like Barney Frank, Chris Dodd and Robert Reich to fail. Bottom line, I hope you fail.
I love the sound of whining in the morning.
Rush Limbaugh has signed a deal that simply kicks ass. Eight years, $400 million. $50 million a year. I love it. Unlike sports contracts and the expected deliverable for the athlete, Rush actually provides America with mental stimulation and food for thought. He does this year round and his travel schedule and show prep rivals that of any athlete. I love that athletes can make huge money. I love that oil execs can do the same. Ditto for the Hollywood elite. But for some reason Liberals are screaming about this new contract.
Hello? McFly? Have you heard of something called supply and demand? Oh, that’s right. Air America failed miserably and therefore you are hoping that the ‘Fairness’ Doctrine will come in and suppress all conservative free speech on the radio to make up for the fact that Liberals don’t buy advertising time and don’t have any pull when it comes to radio. Liberals dominate print media, newspapers, television networks and all products from hollywood (movies, cartoons, tv series, etc.). good old fashioned radio is the lone delivery method for conservative thought and opinion. Yet the left can’t leave radio alone. In the name of ‘fairness’ they want to muzzle free speech. Newsflash, “ain’t gonna happen bitch. Deal with it.”
And before we go crazy over how much Rush will be making let’s properly frame this. Fourteen other media personalities made more than $50M over the 12-month period between July 2006/ June 2007 as listed at the Forbes Top 100 Power list.
- Oprah Winfrey: Liberal powerhouse, arguably the most powerful woman in the world; makes $18M per year from XM alone. All in all she made about $260M last year. The other thirteen making more than $50M per year are as follows:
- Jerry Bruckheimer: $120M – Action movie mogul (most recently the Pirates of the Caribbean series)
- Steven Spielberg: $110M – Hollywood deity. ‘Nuff said.
- Tiger Woods: $100M -Golf deity. ‘Nuff said.
- Johnny Depp: $92M – Cute, damned good actor. Weird. More power to him.
- Rolling Stones: $88M – Possibly the most over-rated band evah. No wait. They are #3 on my list.
- Jay-Z: $83M – Not my cup of tea, but he has an audience. Capitalism is a wonderful thing.
- Tom Hanks: $74 M – The greatest actor of our generation.
- Madonna: $72 M – She jumped the shark long ago.
- Howard Stern: $70M – He too has an audience. Too bad they are largely immature and capable of making Johnny Knoxville look sophisticated.
- Brian Grazer/Ron Howard: $70 M – Insane profit from The Da Vinci Code. See, mocking religion can still earn you a decent living.
- Bon Jovi: $67M – Talk about jumping the shark. They did that two decades ago. But, as long as you have demand you will always have supply.
- Jerry Seinfeld: $60M – I’m not sure which aspect of hs genius is greater: His reality-based comedy or his business acumen and success thanks to syndication.
- Elton John: $53M – Forget the sunglasses, his earlier hits are timeless. Much deeper than anything Bon Jovi, Jay-Z or Madonna every produced. And he actually plays an instrument.
- Bonus Track: A list of the top paid athletes can be found here:
Congratulations Rush. Congratulations Conservative Talk Radio. Congratulations America.
