Liberty Expose: The Experience Of African American Conservatives

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As a great melting pot of the world, the United States is home to some of the most diverse people in the entire world. People travel across the globe to experience the traditions and dreams America promises, leading to a wide range of perspectives. 

For conservatives, it is important to have discussions with like-minded people who have come from many different backgrounds and have experiences that we may share or that may differ. 

An interesting discussion took place between Glenn Loury and academic, economist, author, political writer, and commentator Shermichael Singleton. Both of these talk about their experience as African American conservatives. 

People of all different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds indeed experience life through varying lenses; however, their American values and institutions are necessary to be preserved. Singleton discusses these aspects of family, education, discipline, structure, and abiding by the important social institutions of the United States. He argues that these are part of the black experience, which is uniquely conservative. 

The Fall Of Families

One of the most important issues discussed is the concept of traditional family values. As it currently stands, African American families have been experiencing tremendous hardships. The single motherhood rate is at a massive 72%. In 2022. There were over 4.1 million black families that did not have a Father's Day present. When compared to the 1970s. The rate of single-parent households in the black community was 33%. In two generations, we’ve seen a remarkable increase in the single motherhood rate of more than double. 

This has created an epidemic amongst black families as single motherhood causes higher crime rates, increased levels of poverty, more high school dropouts, a higher chance of being incarcerated, and a higher chance of teen pregnancies. This is true regardless of race, but it has disproportionately affected African American families. 

It has been shown that there is a correlation between the increase in welfare and child assistance programs that have matched up with the increasing rates of single motherhood in the United States. America has been subsidizing the lack of fathers in the household, which has encouraged mothers and fathers to not stay within the home. If there is any hope of incentivizing a return to a normal family's state, restructuring of these programs must occur. 

Support Of The GOP

One of the interesting points stated in this interview was black America’s opinion on the former president and current GOP nominee, Donald Trump. In 2016, only 8% of African Americans voted in favor of Donald Trump, while 89% voted for the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. This number has been the same among all Republicans for the last 30 years. Never in recent history has a Republican candidate pulled over 10% of the black vote. However, in 2020, Donald Trump gained ground among minority voters and won 12% of African American voters. 

As it currently stands, former president and GOP frontrunner Donald Trump has between 14 percent and 30 percent of the black vote, heading into the 2024 election year. If true, this would be remarkably high for any Republican president in recent history to ever receive this much support from the black community.

It has also been proven that, based on the two likely presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, a large portion of African Americans are not interested in either candidate. Nearly 1 in 5 black Americans, or around 20% of black respondents, said they would vote for “someone else” other than Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

The political issues that are often rated the highest are our crimes in the economy. Both of these have heavy implications for the black community, which will likely continue to be the most important issues leading up to November 2024. 

Unsurprisingly, without the presence of Barack Obama in 2018 and 2012, the black voter turnout for those election years increased. Afterward, the percentage of African Americans voting fell from its record high of 66.6% in 2012 to 59.6% in 2016. 

Again, this largely has to do with the candidate selection, as neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden seem appealing to not only African Americans but to all voters. 

The Conservative Black Experience

Historically, the Democratic Party has had a monopoly over the African American demographic. Since 1993, 87% of black voters have identified as members of the Democratic Party or as leaning Democratic. This is compared with just 7% of black voters identifying as Republicans. 

It can feel terrible to be ostracized because of your political beliefs. And because a huge portion of the black community is in support of the Democratic Party, it is very common for conservative black men to be looked at negatively. 

Clarence Thomas, one of the great, conservative Supreme Court justices, is often accused of being a traitor and called horrific names because of his political beliefs. 

Let us no longer insult the life and story of Uncle Tom... Let's just call him Clarence Thomas and know who he really is. — Dr. John E. Warren

This is the terrible treatment that conservative African Americans have to face if they dare to challenge left-wing rhetoric. Clarence Thomas is not the only example. Many others suffer tremendously from their friends and family coming out as conservative. As conservatives, we should champion the brave individuals who are willing to take a stand for American values and applaud them when they make the transition.

Conclusion

For many decades, the African American community has been associated with the Democratic Party, which has incentivized rapid single motherhood rates. Causing the tremendous levels of crime, poverty, and lack of education we see today. It is also our responsibility as conservatives to help and accept those who believe in the traditional values of America. They should be welcomed with open arms and supported for the tremendous difficulty it took them to get here. The American experience is not only beholden to one particular race or ethnicity. This is something that, as Americans, we all cherish and promote the values and opportunities that it offers.