Juliette posts an important two-part piece that is a must read in the current racially charged election climate.
The River Flows (Part One) and (Part Two)
For years I've had this discussion with black friends, several of whom have become conservatives for these very reasons. I have long thought that the black power base cut a very bad deal with the Dems. When one looks at the billions of dollars the Dems threw at the problem of black economic parity and poverty over three decades, one would expect a demographic of well-educated millionaires, not 'hoods of despair.
The Freedom Train went seriously off the tracks with Jesse Jackson's pocket-lining corporate shakedowns, anti-Semitism, the rise of a cheap shyster, and the Congressional Black Caucus blackmailing Clinton to keep his campaign promises during impeachment. A shallow agenda of self-interest set the terms based on personal greed, white guilt, fear of litigation and retaining political power for a few, not Rev. King's dream of being judged on one's character, of equal access. I wonder how many whites, especially the young Jewish lawyers, would have joined the civil rights struggle in the 60's if it had been based on today's black leadership.
However having said all that, while we may seethe at racism and empathize with black friends and colleagues, we cannot walk in their shoes, ever. Nor can we really join the dialog over leaership, goals, conflict of interests and perception, it's the new civil rights battle and it's internal.
Baldilocks and Black Conservative gives one hope that the black community is beginning to get it...that the Dems ceased being partners long ago. Only when the black community has strong membership and interests in both parties will they have equal access to a quality education and capital, which from all else flows.
Posted by feste at October 23, 2004 09:57 AM | TrackBack