This story caught my eye: “Some blacks shift from Democrats”:
Shamin Rutledge grew up with Democratic values. But six years ago, she began to feel a conflict between the party’s positions on abortion and homosexual rights and her personal values.
“The party just wasn’t heading in a direction I was comfortable with,” she said.
So she became a Republican.
Her decision placed her on the road less traveled by African-Americans, who overwhelmingly vote and identify with the Democratic Party. In the 2000 presidential election, for example, Al Gore received 90 percent of the African-American vote.
Despite the loyalty, political scientists and community members alike say there is increasing dissatisfaction among African-Americans with the Democratic Party. More are identifying themselves as independents or Republicans.
This is how more blacks will come to the conservative side: listening to what liberals say and scrutinizing what they stand for.
As stated in the article, one of the perceptions of the Republican party is that it’s run by white southern racists. This perception is so strong that I end up having protracted conversations with black Democratic loyalists and defending my conservative position. In one example, an acquaintance wanted to “fix me up” with a friend. I asked her if he was a Christian; she didn’t know (bad sign).
“If you tell him about me, make sure he knows I’m a Christian and politically conservative,” I said. That’s important. I don’t want to give anyone a heart attack.
“You’re what?” she exclaimed.
I repeated myself, and we spent the next 20 minutes talking about why I was a conservative and not about the guy or my faith. I don’t think she told him about me.
Republicans can overcome the racist label by convincing one voter at a time rather than taking on a whole group. Broadcasting a “black” message is demeaning, in my opinion. A simple message of traditional values, personal responsibility and accountability and limited government should be aimed at individual voters regardless of race. It’s hard work. Even if it takes 20 years to turn 8 percent into 15 percent, it’s worth it.
