Dear Dawn Turner Trice,
In “Rice’s Politics Isolate Her From Many Blacks”, you assert that the “African-American Republican woman” is the “rarest (loneliest) of birds.” I want to assure you that we’re not lonely. I also wanted to address all your statements, line by line, but to do so would require a novel-sized post. There are only 24 hours in a day, and I’ve got a day job.
I’m not a columnist for a high-profile daily newspaper read by millions of people. I’m just a regular person with an Internet column and a web log. My opinions are somewhat strong and considered offensive in some circles. But as a revolutionary, I expect my views to be unpopular.
Let me begin with where we agree. You write that “civil rights” and feminist groups have not rushed to Condoleezza Rice’s aid after her competency was questioned by former government official Richard Clarke. Our reasons for why these groups shun her are very different.
I, like Condoleezza Rice, am one of those “rare birds” you write about. Though not a member of the Republican Party, I am an Independent Conservative (I like the sound of it).
I tend to vote for Republicans because between the two parties, the Republican Party is more representative of my views: anti-child killing, pro-family, anti-welfare state, anti-race discrimination, pro-business, belief in equal opportunity rather than equal outcome, just to name a few.
I heard that when Ms. Rice was asked why she became a Republican in the mid-80s, she said, ”I decided I’d rather be ignored [by Democrats] than patronized.” I echo her sentiment. She found the Democrats’ “you-can’t-do-it without-us” line distasteful, as do I. A product of the segregated south, she rose to the top like cream.
Check out her extraordinary biography. Wow!
Unlike most blacks (I loathe the term “African-American”, so indulge me), I believe Ms. Rice is a woman to be admired and emulated. The black community doesn’t think so based on her political affiliation. I assure you it’s their loss, not hers.
Now, to our disagreements. You wrote: “Blacks tend to fare much better as a group rather than individually in influencing how the media, the courts and politicians treat us. Although blacks are more diverse these days in terms of education and income levels, and more selective of public officials, we have been loath to embrace the Republican Party.”
You are correct but not for the reasons you think. It’s debatable whether influencing those things as a group means we “fare much better.” The danger of going through life as part of a monolithic group is that it encourages intolerance for anything threatening to the group, including individual expression. With such a groupthink mindset, there’s little or no diversity of thought. Black liberals, like their white counterparts, believe in diversity of color but not of thought or ideas.
You wrote: “[T]he Bush tax cuts have served the wealthy far more than they have blacks as a whole.” Do you not see the flaw in your reasoning? As a matter of economics…no, much simpler than that…as a matter of 1+1=2, since the “wealthy” (some of whom are black) pay more taxes, it follows that they’d benefit more from tax cuts. Right?
Additionally, by implying that “wealth” is somehow odious, you’re setting people up for class envy and underachievement. I know that’s a big leap, but I believe the extreme always makes an impression, and I think you’d agree based on the statements made in your column.
I’m no dummy. I understand why blacks support the Democratic Party. Why would anyone want to give up all those goodies? The party that managed to convince a once-proud people that they’re helpless to do for themselves has a good thing going. The Democrats have a lock on 90 percent of black voters. Why?
They’ve created a class of people dependent on perks like entitlement programs, set-asides and promises of cradle-to-grave support. They’ve assured them that a bankrupt Social Security system will be their salvation in old age. Every day they tell poor people that America is a nasty, racist, brutish place where they’re better off living on the government dole. They’re even trying (hopefully in vain) to convince black parents not to worry about their kids in failing government-run schools because even if they graduate knowing nothing or don’t graduate at all, they can always turn to the government for support!
Pardon my sarcasm. Another statement I want to address is this: “African-Americans who have decided to sit on the Republican side of the aisle — who see no need for affirmative action once they’ve benefited from it…have shown that they too are out of touch with the needs of the black community.”
Ms. Trice, words can’t express how good it feels to be “out of touch with the needs” of the black community when that need is based on a welfare-state mentality. I’m proud that I don’t think or act like the majority of black people, and I’m always thrilled to shock white liberals with my conservative views.
My fellow blogger over at Parablemania addressed the claim that blacks who benefit from “affirmative action” are hypocrites for denouncing it:
1. X is bad.
2. I benefited from X.
3. Therefore, I can’t speak out against X without being hypocritical.Now insert slavery in for the X. Is a slaveowner who realizes the badness of slavery a hypocrite for changing his mind and speaking out against it?
I contend that a slaveowner can change his mind, free his slaves and not be a hypocrite despite having gained from the dreadful institition. My assertion is based on morality: the immorality of slavery and the immorality of race preferences.
I’m afraid I’ve gone on longer than I intended, so let me wrap it up. You wrote: “Rice is kind of out there on a limb, with much of her support coming from warm and fuzzy fellows the likes of Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Imagine having to seek refuge in the bosom of those guys.” I can hear the “Amen!” corner right now.
I can’t speak for Ms. Rice, but I’d rather have the likes of these men on my side than all the black “leaders”, any member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Democrats who don’t believe I’m capable of personal responsibility and liberals in general who try to make an end-run around the Constitution and take away the freedom I was born with.
Note to liberals who’ll write to inform me that the Constitution wasn’t written with the likes of me in mind: I’m protected under it now!
I assure you, Ms. Trice, that this black conservative woman is not lonely, though a “rare bird” I may be. Despite the impression you give, “rare bird” is a compliment: uncommon, extraordinary and sought after.
Let’s do lunch sometime!
Sincerely,
La Shawn “Rare Bird” Barber
