Cottage Grove Heights Community Coalition

Blacks have always been conservative or, more accurately, traditionalists. This DNA was embedded in us from the depths of our African ancestry. The basis of this African culture was strict adherence to tradition. These traditions recognized the man as the head of the household, that was his birthright; but in exchange for that birthright, he was responsible for the upkeep of that family — the wife, children and, when needed, the extended family.

Children were not given choices, they were given direction. The daughters would sit at their mother’s feet and learn of their ways; the sons would stand with the tribal elders to hear their wisdom in all things.

Children were not told they could decide their own sexuality, their sexuality was determined at birth. Children were not allowed to disrespect their parents with no consequence. Those that violated the established values and mores were swiftly punished and, when necessary, removed from the community. There was no 20 years of litigation and appeals.

In other words, the traditions demanded and expected strict adherence to certain norms of behavior because the elders knew that without rules of conduct the family would disintegrate and their nation would soon follow.

So, when Africans were exported to the U.S. as slaves, whites were amazed at the devotion Africans had to family, God and discipline despite their newfound circumstance as slaves. What whites failed to understand then, as well as now, is that these traditions are still part of our DNA; some in the black community have allowed this DNA to become dormant, but it is still there.

Part of the reason for this dormancy is psychological. I have attempted to educate white and black conservatives on this issue, but to no avail.

When you go into the black community and use the word “conservative,” what blacks hear is Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms. Thurmond and Helms (both deceased) were U.S. Senators — Thurmond from South Carolina and Helms from North Carolina. At the height of their power they both represented the worst of America and the Republican Party. They both were the embodiment of America’s racist past. (In fairness, in his later years Thurmond was travelling a path toward redemption illustrated by some of the legislation he sponsored, like increased funding for black universities.)

So, when Republicans, and black conservatives specifically, go into the black community and start talking about conservatism, blacks hear racism. So, the conversation goes like this: My name is Raynard, and I want to talk with you about why I am a black conservative. What is heard is: My name is Raynard, and I want to talk with you about why I am a black racist and a sellout to my community.

When you talk about specific issues that are important to conservatives — abortion, welfare, homosexual entitlements, etc. — blacks are overwhelmingly supportive. But as soon as you put the label “conservative” on it, the dynamic changes.

Meanings are in people, not in words.

America and, specifically, the black community have allowed liberalism and political correctness to run amok. Babies are being born outside of marriage, homosexuality is publicly celebrated while Christianity is mocked, and the adult children of the elderly are sending their parents to nursing homes. We must breathe new life into our dormant traditional culture.

I am one who makes a living based on my understanding of the use of words and language. Before white and black conservatives address the black community on any issues, they first must define their terms of engagement. George W. Bush was called conservative, but spent money like a drunken sailor; Republican leaders of Congress call themselves fiscally conservative, but constantly support deficit spending.

So, one needs to define what the word “conservative” means and why it is relevant to a person’s everyday life. Why black conservatives have not done this is truly a mystery.