Is There Anything Wrong With Being a Black Republican?

Politics

by Lamar Tyler | on October 21st, 2008 | 16 comments

Over the weekend I posted the video of Colin Powell endorsing Barack Obama for president. Since then we’ve recieved a good amount of comments on that post that you can check out here. Something I wanted to throw out into the blogsphere after reading them all was this… Is there a problem wth being a black republican?

BMWK tell us what you think. Is there a problem with this? Are you one or do you know one? Let us know.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (16)

Huemanity Wednesday - 22 / 10 / 2008 Reply

Yes, there is something wrong with being a black REPUBLICAN and supporting the current GOP. However, as a black CONSERVATIVE, I am offended when other blacks come down on me for not being liberal. As if liberalism in and of itself isn't racist. But I digress... MLK was a conservative and a Republican BEFORE the party was adopted by neo-cons during the Regan era. I know most blacks turned to the Democratic party before then, but Regan and his urban warfare totally turned all current and future generations off to the Republican party. The current Republican party is racist and has no problems using this country's ugly racial history to gain and maintain power. Charles Barkley and J.C.Watts have both come out against the current GOP. They DO NOT SUPPORT BLACK CANDIDATES and do not at all care about reaching out to people of color. They want us to come to them. Michael Steele seems like a smart and talented man, and I think he had a real shot at winning that Senate seat but from what I heard the Republican party did not have his back at all. He was out there on his own. So I will be voting for Obama on the 4th, mainly because I do not want to be on the wrong side of history and have to explain to my children why I did not support a black candidate and chose to support a racist political party. I do not agree with Obama on most issues, but he won't be able to do most of what he is promising anyway so I'm not worried, LOL. Huemanitys last blog post..Fun in the Sun (and water)
kim h20s Wednesday - 22 / 10 / 2008 Reply

there is nothing wrong with being a black republican. one of the great things about this country is that we are all free to examine the issues, examine ourselves and vote accordingly. but sometimes being african american is like being communist - woe unto you if you don't toe the party line. i get so sick of this pervasive idea that to be "black", you must be christian, straight,and democratic. i happen to be all three, but before i accepted those paths in life, i definitely looked at other avenues to ensure that i wasn't just following the crowd. i am confident that my decisions in life are not because i'm a black female but because i am me. i am fiscally conservative and i believe that americans (especially african americans) would be better served by more reliance on "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps", rather than having so much reliance on the democratic plantation system mentality that plagues so many in our inner city communities. massa may be good, but he is still the massa. a black person who is a republican (or non-christian or non-straight) has the courage to follow their convictions, not just go with the crowd. asking if someone is misguided because they are a black republican (and presumably voting for mccain) is as bad as asking if an older white person is "misguided" because they are voting (en masse it seems!) for obama. Obama's run is truly historic. i am proud to be voting for him. i am proud to see how my brothers and sisters are encouraging each other to vote and making the act of voting 'cool'. The only bad thing is that their is a blurring of the message. we are voting because we want and need change. but we should not be voting because for obama just because he is black. we should be voting for the candidate that we feel is best. i'll tell you what - i'm preparing for the day when there will be TWO (or more) black candidates and i'll have to pick the one that's best, not just the one that is black like me. OBAMA O8!!!!! MICHELLE 2012!!
TheDad Wednesday - 22 / 10 / 2008 Reply

I think folks need to get off of thinking the Dems are doing something so great for us and I refuse to ride with them just because they're the lesser of two evils. They see your vote as guaranteed in every election. I voted for a republican one time because he was the better candidate and I knew the Dem was a joker. The Dem won the race and has proven me right ever since. Folks need to look closely at the issues and platforms and go from there and what's best for them and their families.
kim h20s Wednesday - 22 / 10 / 2008 Reply

the sign in the picture has so many possible meanings! is it a reminder to black democratic americans that one of our greatest leaders was a republican? is it a reminder to white republican americans that the republican party of today, is FAR from what it used to be?
T. Rogers Wednesday - 22 / 10 / 2008 Reply

There is nothing wrong with being black and republican. For the record I am officially independent. I changed my affiliation back in 2000 (used to be Dem). We have to see our political parties for what they are, a means to an end. That's it. They are not our saviors. And we definately owe no alligence to one over the other. Politics operates on the Janet Jackson philosophy: What have you done for me lately? The dems should not get automatic support just because of their role in the Civil Rights movement. That was 40 years ago. At the same time the republican party needs to do more to court black membership. Before they can do that they need to do away with their cultural/ social wars. They lionize "small town" American and demonize those of us in big ciites. They also have a low tolerance for anyone who is "different" from them. And what is up with the anti-intellectual stance the republicans are adopting now? At the end of the day I respect anyone's choice to choose their politcal party. A diversity of thought only makes us better.
terry Thursday - 23 / 10 / 2008 Reply

Be whatever best reflects your views. Just choose based on relevant information and careful research. Too many of us (when I say "us" I mean our race not me personally: I'm a conservative) are Democrats based on tradition and a false sense of the Democrats as saviors, despite all the evidence to the contrary. terrys last blog post..Tales of a Stay At Home Feminist
Super Dave Van Buren Thursday - 23 / 10 / 2008 Reply

I think we should all be independents. that way you can choose based on the person and not the party. I only registered as a Democrat so I could vote in the primaries. I don't think anyone is always liberal or always conservative we are all a mix of different beliefs and values. Super Dave Van Burens last blog post..Live From the Corner.... pt Random Tales
Sybil Thursday - 23 / 10 / 2008 Reply

I agree with you Super Dave; just vote for the person who you feel made the best impression on you. The most important thing is that you do vote!!!
Anna Thursday - 23 / 10 / 2008 Reply

I too agree with Super Dave, we should all be Independents that way we don't have to feel like we are jumping ships or crossing an invisable line. There is nothing wrong with being a black Republician, what I don't like is in my opinion the majority of black Republicians are "elisits'" Snub their noses and look down on the rest of us. I too would be Republican if I could afford to but only to protect my wallet. The rich only get richer. I I exercised my American duty/privillege and Baraked the vote today. I know the lines are going to be many hours long had I waited until Nov. 4th, plus I remember voting in Feb. in the primaries and our weather at rush hour traffic was a severe ice storm. I only had to drive a few blocks away and the ice was 1/4 " on the car windows and on the roads I don't want a reapeat because I know on Monday and Tuesday of next week we will have showers with snow. Winter is coming and I don't want to be out in all the mess (weather wise or fool wise). When Obama wins I want to be home like I do on New Years Eve. Folks are crazy and will let their emotions get the best of them. I will have a screen saver on my PC with a roaring fireplace with my feet up watching tv with my hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and Grapenuts cereal (I will not substitute my Grapenust with O B C ,dry no milk) eating it like it's popcorn in the comfort of my own home. It has been reported that 60% of registerd voters will vote in this election. I really hope we all can make this a land slide, and too bad I can't say "VOTE AS MANY TIMES AS YOU LIKE" LOL. Ppl I would love to say that I don't care who you vote for but I can't. I will respect others and say "ppl get out there a vote". In 38 states they are exercising "the early vote" I say take advantage.
blacknessdefined Friday - 24 / 10 / 2008 Reply

The rich will always get richer. has anyone noticed that the Democrats are richer than the republicans in Congress. In fact guess who is he richest Senator, a democrat or a republican. Come on people, sorry Bill Cosby, both parties exploit issues and people. Prior to President Clinton winning office, the democratic party was trying to decide whether they needed the black vote since they had not won the presidency for a long time. They were openly saying we were not necessary to win an election. I am indepedent and will vote either party or neither party depending on the issues and the circumstance. The reality is that the black condition has not changed much after years of supporitng the democratic party. Remember, it was republicans who gave us the civil rights act in congress. Al Gore's father was asked not to show up and vote knowing that he was going to vote against it and he showed up anyway and of course voted against it. We as a community don't hold elected official accountable for anything. I don't believe government is the answer to our problems. They do play a role, but what all do we expect them to do. The opporunity to succeed means there is the opporunity to fail. We only want the opportunity to succeed without any risk. That is not the real world. Wake up people. Don't let anyone prostitute you for political purposes. blacknessdefineds last blog post..How many percentage points will Barack win by?
Tonya Monday - 27 / 10 / 2008 Reply

I am not black, but wanted to jump in with my thoughts. (I'm NOT a racist - I'm raising my children to see people, not color. God looks at the heart.. we should too) I don't belong to the Republican party because "I'm white." I tend to vote that way because they are NORMALLY voting the closest to my Christian values. Remember the popular phrase that went around a few years back?? "What Would Jesus Do?" (WWJD) Well, that's how I think when I vote. Just one example: I KNOW that it breaks GOD'S heart for HIS people to vote for someone who supports abortion. (God recognizes LIFE at the MOMENT of conception) I wish that our country would turn back to GOD. We WERE FOUNDED on Christian beliefs.. GOD HELP US, if we keep pushing HIM away.
TheDad Monday - 27 / 10 / 2008 Reply

@Tonya- thanks for adding your opinion. I've heard this before about voting for a democrat that supports abortion especially 4 years ago back when Bush was running for his second term. I'm a Christian myself and what I can't understand is how people said they'd vote for Bush because he was Pro-Life but totally ignore the fact that he started a war based on lies that kills people on a daily basis. I would think it would also break God's heart for us to vote for someone that would falsely start a war that kills men, women and children some of which are innocent bystanders. Right?
Tonya Monday - 27 / 10 / 2008 Reply

The Dad, You're right, about innocent people dying in wars - however, I've heard that we lost more people on OUR grounds (On Sept. 11) than have been killed in the war that was started to protect our freedom? Can you tell me if this is right? (I sure don't want to "run" on rumors) One MAJOR difference between abortion and soldiers killed in war is that the soldiers volunteered for service KNOWING what might happen. I guess I'm all "fired up" about the partial birth abortion because I've recently learned the gruesome details. (I'm DEFINITELY AGAINST any abortion for that matter) Anyway, I thought I'd check back and get my facts straight. I do appreciate your kind response to my earlier post. =-) Thanks, Tonya <
TheDad Monday - 27 / 10 / 2008 Reply

@Tonya - The Sept. 11 death toll was was under 3000 and we passed that mark with US deaths in Iraq back in 2003: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/09/03/death.toll/ Now these were solider deaths. No one probably has any clue how many innocents are killed in Iraq because I'm sure they don't publish real numbers on that. But anyway killing people in Iraq is not justified by 9/11 if you're coming from a Christian viewpoint. Plus Iraq was supposed to be about WMD's anyway not 9/11. Bin Laden was 9/11 not Iraq. Back to the point again in God's eyes I thought sin was sin. And death is death so my question I always think about on that point is how people can be so against killing a fetus but not against killing other people and holding up religion as the reason. Thanks again for commenting
Tisha Wednesday - 29 / 10 / 2008 Reply

I am voting for John McCain/Palin in this election, being of color has nothing to due with voting for Obama in my christian view. I as a christian could not and would not vote for Obama. I have done much research about Obama, and he is not the man who people believe him to be either. Also I am sick of hollywood and entertainers telling people how to vote, and the lies that they have put out there. Yes there are Black people voting for McCain.
james carlisle Sunday - 20 / 09 / 2009 Reply

OBAMA SHOWED HIS TRUE COLOURS IN THR CHURCH HE BELONGS TO ,ANY TIME HE COULD HAVE WALKED OUT HE DOOR,IF YOU USE REVERSE LOGIC, AS IF HE WAS WHITE,WOULD BLACK PEOPLE STILL VOTE FOR HIM,I TNINK NOT,THE DEMS ,HAVE ALWAYS USED RACE ,SINCE THERE PARTY IS ABOUT THE GROUP VOTING BLOCK,BLACK CONGREES, THER IS NO REPUB EQUIVLENT ECT ASIAN, MEXIANS,BLUE WHALES FLOATING IN THE OCEAN BLOCK, VOTERS .MOST OF THE MEDIA IN THIS NATION VOTE DEMS, THIS IS FACT , MOST OF HOLLYWOOD ,THIS IS FACT, MOST OF OUR UNIVERITYS OR POLITICAL LEFT OF CENTER VEIWS, THIS IS FACT OF COURSE THEY DONT LIVE WITH BLACKS, THEY LIVE IN COMMUNITES THAT ARE FAR REMOVED FROM THERE OWN WHITE WORKING CLASS. WORKING AMERICANS WILL SAY THEY DONT LIKE BLACKS,WHY BECAUSE THEY DEAL WITH YOU,ON A DAILY BASIES,THIS DOS NOT MAKE THEM EVIL, OR GOOD ,IT MAKES THEM HUMAN, THE TRUE REPUBICAN PARTY ,IS THE REVERSE OF THIS ,IT IS ABOUT MIND= MATHS =TOTAL TRUTH OWNLY ABOUT 10% OF PEOPLE ARE CAPIABLE OF THINKING LIKE THIS,INSTEAD THEY ARE DRIVEN BY EMOTIONS.THE KKK, WAS IN 1900 1930 AN ENFORCMENT ARM OF THE DEMS,THIS IS FACT, NOW 95 % OF BLACK PEOPLE VOTE FOR OBAMA, SAME STUPITY DIFFERANT RACE AND TIME,AS A PARTY WE HAVE NOT FORGOTEN THE WHITE REPUBLIANS, THAT DIED AT THE HANDS OF THE SO CALLED , NIXON TYPE ,NEW FOUND SOUTHERN WHITE REPUBLICAN, VOTERS, THEY ARE REPUBS IN NAME ONLY, WE USE THEM ,WE HAVE LONG MEMORYS, LIKE ELEPHANTS. OBAMA SAYS HE IS CHANGE YOU AN BELIEVE IN ,THIS IS A LIE ,THE TRUTH SI,THE MORE THINGS APPEAR TO CHANGE THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME,WE CAN DEDUCE REALITY, VIE THE NONE SUBSTANCE, AS MUCH AS SUBSTANCE. MATHS = MIND = MATTER=REPUBLIC OF MAN GREEK THOUGHTS