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They may not be large in number but they are loyal to the GOP and aren’t swayed by the charm of Barack Obama.
From the New York Times.
The barbs have become like a soundtrack to Richard Ivory’s life: Uncle Tom, sellout, self-hater. Being black and Republican does indeed have its challenges — especially in New York. And even though the remarks sometimes wear on Mr. Ivory, they mostly seem to have emboldened him.
Mr. Ivory started a blog, HipHopRepublican.com, four years ago to voice criticism of what he perceived to be the political pigeonholing of blacks.
The blog is part of a small but vibrant collection of black Republican sites that have given right-leaning blacks a sense of community during an election in which Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy has made their political stance seem particularly unlikely.
Indeed, Mr. Ivory, despite being a devout Republican, feels history tugging at his loyalties.
“That a country that was founded by slavery could actually elect a black person to be its highest person in office, it’s just amazing,” said Mr. Ivory, 30, who lives in Chelsea and works as a counselor to mentally ill patients.
It was in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks that Mr. Ivory engaged in politics and became interested in the Republican Party. As a staunch supporter of the Iraq war, he was often the only black person at pro-war rallies, he said.
At one demonstration in New York in 2004, he recalled, an antiwar protester, who was white, used a racial slur against him, and black demonstrators with the protester kept silent.
Mr. Ivory said he was incensed that blacks would ignore such a slur because it was aimed at someone with opposing political views.
“There was something annoying about the idea that if you were black, you had to be Democrat,” Mr. Ivory said. “The blog started out as a means to vent.” Beyond his support for the Iraq war, Mr. Ivory considers himself a conservative on economic issues who believes government should help people help themselves.
Unfortunately the GOP has figured out a cohesive strategy to attract more blacks to the party but maybe Ivory and others like him offer hope that things will change.
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About the author
Don Irvine is Chairman of Accuracy in Media. He is active on Facebook and Twitter. You can follow him @donirvine to read his latest thoughts.
5 Comments for Black Republicans Buck the Tide
Yes, you are correct Jack. I am a black conservative (Not republican, but constitutionalist to be specific)who grew up in Seattle, and now live in the Louisiana.
Recently, a Northwestern “acquaintance” accused me of being “brainwashed by old White Men” and said I had no business supporting the ticket being a “middle-class black man”, “What are they going to do for you?”, he asked.
I corrected him that I was not black, but bi-racial, and dont even make enough to qualify for “middle class”, so my Obama frustration has nothing to do with “What I can GET FOR FREE”
That is why I will be voting John McCain this year. I am not financially well-off, but by no means expect anyone else to be responsible for my well-being. I wish others that shared my skin tone felt the same.
What was most disturbing, was when I explained that my “brainwashing” was from the like Madison, Locke, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Jesus, the federalist Papers, and the constitution, he was angrily disrepsected our founders and and our constitution for that matter citing “those are all “old-white slave owners”.
No, I dont believe that John Mccain is my IDEAL candidate, but Obama has not shown me any proof that he respects concepts like inherent Rights, Liberty, enumerated powers. That is a fight I will stand tall for no matter what candidates I have to choose from.
Dear Newzworth:
Small world. I was born and raised in Central Washington state and then after the Navy, lived in Seattle from late 1975 to 1991, went to Pullman for three years, and then have lived here in the upper Midwest since then.
I too am a Conservative, or a Traditionalist or Constitutionalist like you. I am also a man of limited means, of that group where people might think I am looking for handouts from the government – and I am not. I only want them to leave me alone, get out of my face, and allow me too excel in life on my own, without them throwing roadblocks in my path, and keeping me from the life I want. I lost, unfortunately, as at the age of 55, I will now live out my life with limited means – thanks to a corrupt and controlling government.
Louisiana, well at least it is warmer there. Fall is in the air, and old man winter just behind, and Louisiana sure feels warmer to me right now.
Yes McCain is not the ideal candidate, but Obama to me is surrendering America to someone who will destroy her far quicker than has been happening. I expected better from Bush, and we still lost ground. I do not have better expectations from McCain, but there is a bright spot, I think, with Palin perhaps for the future. She seems to come from the same world I was raised in, and at least talks like she would like to see America regain some of that – the good that was our America.
Yes Jack, Palin excites me very much. Ive stood up to the heat amongst my “friends” who can not raise a substantial objection to convince me that she is at minimum, what she says she is. Perhaps the hasn’t mastered “Politi-speak” but she doesn’t need to talk. She walks the walk. And that is good enough for me… for now.
As for Bush, a catastrophe for conservatives. Now we have an entirely new dilemma in trying to separate our principles, from the assenine actions that he has facilitated throughout his presidency. I COULD defend his presidency, as compared to the CLUB MED years that Clinton enjoyed. But at the end of the day, he continues to throw us under the bus. I still can not put my finger on what is REALLY going on behind the scenes of the bailout. But something tells me we are just a bunch of cows being led to the slaughter house.
Its my opinion, and endeavor that a constitutional movement is the only identity that hasnt been HIJACKED by the left. Republican? Conservative? All are terms coined as right wing extremists who may as well be Bush 3rd term. Fortunately for us, Liberals have very little knowledge of the constitution, and that is where I will stage my battle. So far, its working quite well and interest from my “conservative” friends is piqued.
I wish you well my friend, and perhaps our paths will cross, either down here in the swamp, or in the Majestic, but liberal, Pacific Northwest.
God bless,
Newzworth
What ever happened to being responsible for ones self? I never hear anyone ask what can they do for our country. It’s all about “ME”. We can not expect the government to take care of us. We must take possession of our future.
I would think it takes a lot of courage to be black and be a Republican, especially with Obama running, and especially in the hating climate that intolerant liberals/Democrats have for those with differing opinions than theres.