What does it mean to be a Black Republican?

[Wayne Johnson]

I would like to know what it means for you to be a black in the party.

[Wayne Johnson]

Freedom: in one's self but work's collectively to govern. The fact that self-government is the number one principle of the republican party. A party who stood aganist the idea that " black's had shown themselves incaplable of self-government," the republican's favored amalgamation between superior and inferior races.The belief that no man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent.The United States was founded on the principle that freedom," living free with God given right's"that freedom was national, and exceptional.
Because of three radical republican who pushed Abraham Lincoln toward emacipation;( Charles Sumner, Horace Greeley, and Fredrick Douglas). Reason number two and three your birth right !

[Earl]

For me it is a pretty tough place to be. It takes courage to take a stand for what you believe and even more if your made to feel alienated by the left leaning media and your own brothers and sisters. The Republicans' values line up with mine a lot better. The ironic thing is that large numbers of Black Americans' Values are actually more conservative really, but still more than 90% vote for Democrats.

The Republican Party has to get back to the right of center and start learning how to communicate better with the everyday people and being more assertive instead being so passive regarding the truth. That leads me to the fact that sometimes, being a black republican can at times be somewhat of a burden.

[Jamara Newell]

I'm not precisly a republican anymore but I am somewhat sympathetic still. It didn't mean anything to me because it is only politics. My values are not reflected in who I vote for usually, just who is politically more acceptable.

[Wayne Johnson]

Jamara; the question that I have for you is were do you stand politically?

[Chris Arps]

I feel like many of our White colleagues feel about the Republican Party right now. I am deeply disillusioned with the rampant spending that occurred during the Bush years. I am concerned that the party doesn't seemed focused or has a coherent plan to get us on the right track. Why are Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush having listening tours around the country (to re-connect with voters) but the African American head of the party is not attending?

As a Black in the party, I sometimes feel that we are taken for granted and only needed for photo ops at election time. With the exploding growth of the Hispanic population, I fear that the party will believe that allocating more time and resources to wooing them will seem more cost effective in the long run.

[Wayne Johnson]

Chris,
Your assessment is correct about the people working to undercut Michael Steel and the use of photo ops " Black Republican;"Michael being elected was a move to counter President Obama. Hispanic are looking how the party view us and they are going to the other side just like black went away in the 60's. We must rid the party of the Dixiecrat's and Jim Crow minded people just like they want to get rid of moderate's minded people. Be strong and of good courage because" change is coming "to the Republican Party.

[Jonathan B. Smith]

I think that it is a testament to the openmindedness of black Americans that many of us still consider the viability of the Republican Party as a political home. Recent remarks by Rush Limbaugh and former Vice President Cheney do not make me feel that the party is open or accessible to diverse views and issues. Yes, I am interested in tax policy, national security, abortion, crime, and those red meat issues that Republican candidates love to talk about. However, I'm also interested in the black family and its future.

I must quote Mr. Roosevelt Evans III here: "The Republican party that took the lead in the abolition and civil rights movements was not conservative,moderate or liberal but were lovers of personal freedom and responsiblity." I ask you...isn't this what we should be promoting? Why do we feel it necessary to identify ourselves as Republicans or even conservatives? Our communities have been pimped by the Democrats since I can remember and yet the masses of black people overwhelmingly support its candidates. Perhaps it's time to move away from partisan politics and begin framing the discussion in terms of the effect that certain policies have on our neighborhoods, our schools, and our families.

[Wayne Johnson]

Jonathan B. Smith said:

I think that it is a testament to the openmindedness of black Americans that many of us still consider the viability of the Republican Party as a political home. Recent remarks by Rush Limbaugh and former Vice President Cheney do not make me feel that the party is open or accessible to diverse views and issues. Yes, I am interested in tax policy, national security, abortion, crime, and those red meat issues that Republican candidates love to talk about. However, I'm also interested in the black family and its future.

I must quote Mr. Roosevelt Evans III here: "The Republican party that took the lead in the abolition and civil rights movements was not conservative,moderate or liberal but were lovers of personal freedom and responsiblity." I ask you...isn't this what we should be promoting? Why do we feel it necessary to identify ourselves as Republicans or even conservatives? Our communities have been pimped by the Democrats since I can remember and yet the masses of black people overwhelmingly support its candidates. Perhaps it's time to move away from partisan politics and begin framing the discussion in terms of the effect that certain policies have on our neighborhoods, our schools, and our families.

Amen. like minded people like youself give me strenght to fight the fight.