Black conservatism in the United States

Beliefs

One of the main characteristics of black conservatism is its emphasis on personal choice and responsibilities above socioeconomic status and institutional racism. In the tradition of African American politics and intellectual life, black conservatives tend to side with Booker T. Washington as contrasted with W. E. B. Du Bois.^[1] For many black conservatives, the key mission is to bring repair and success to the Black community by applying the following fundamental principles:

• The pursuit of educational and professional excellence as a means of advancement within the society;
• Policies that promote safety and security in the community beyond the typical casting of a criminal as a "victim" of societal racism;
• Not using the lens of race and the country's history of discrimination as justifications for not excelling to the best of your abilities;
• Local economic development through free enterprise rather than looking to the federal government for assistance;
• Empowerment of the individual via self-improvement (virtue), conscience, and supernatural grace.^[2]

Black conservatives may find common ground with black nationalists through their common belief in black empowerment and the theory that black people have been duped by the welfare state.

On the other hand, some of the policies advocated by Black conservatives are in conflict with some of the key points in the common social, economic, and political positions that a high percentage of African-Americans favor. For example, black conservatives typically oppose affirmative action, which is supported by the vast majority of African American communities. They tend to argue that efforts to obtain reparations for slavery are either misguided or counter-productive. Black conservatives tend to be self-critical of aspects of African-American culture which has created poverty and dependency.^[3] Moreover, black conservatives – especially black Republicans – are often accused of being Uncle Toms. Ebony in their May 2001 "100+ Most Influential Black Americans" issue, did not include a number of influential African Americans such as Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Armstrong Williams, Walter Williams and, most notably, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The Economist described the exclusion of Justice Thomas from the list as spiteful.^[4] Black conservatives favor integration of African Americans into mainstream America and, consequently, disagree with black nationalism and separatism. Black conservatives are more inclined to support economic policies promoting globalization, free trade and tax cuts.

According to a 2004 study, 13.7% of blacks identified as "Conservative" or "Extremely Conservative"^[5] with another 14.4% identifying as slightly conservative. However, the same study indicated less than ten percent identified as Republican or Republican leaning in any fashion. Likewise, a 2007 Pew Research Center survey showed that 19% of blacks identify as Religious Right.^[6] In 2004, the Pew Research Center indicated only 7% of blacks identify as Republican.^[7]

The National Election Pool poll showed that support for Proposition 8 was strong amongst African American voters, interviewed in the exit poll with 70% in favor, more than any other racial group.^[8] Their support was considered crucial to the proposition's passing, since African Americans made up an unusually larger percentage of voters that year, due to the presence of Barack Obama on the ballot.^[9] Polls by both the Associated Press and CNN mirrored this data, reporting support among black voters to be at 70%^[10] and 75%,^[11] respectively.

Historical basis

From Reconstruction up until the New Deal, the black population tended to vote Republican as the Republican Party, particularly in the Southern United States, was seen as more racially liberal than the Democratic Party, primarily because of the role of the southern wing of the Democratic Party as the party of racial segregation and the Republican Party's roots in the abolitionist movement (see Dixiecrats). Blacks started to shift in significant numbers to the Democrats with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt,^[12] whose New Deal particularly benefited economically disadvantaged minority communities and helped forge the New Deal coalition which dominated American politics for the next 30 years, and continued with the election of John F. Kennedy. This shift was also influenced by Herbert Hoover's practice of firing loyal African-Americans from positions within the Republican Party, in order to increase his appeal to Southern white voters.^[13] This can be considered an early example of a set of Republican Party methods that were later termed the Southern Strategy.

Religion

Another case study of differences between Black conservatives and Black Republicans is an emphasis on personal empowerment versus theological perspectives. Black Republicans like Colin Powell hold to the social ideas articulated by the early Radical Republicans like Frederick Douglass while at the same time supporting the self-empowerment message of Booker T. Washington. Many social conservatives who are black and Republican hold to a biblically based empowerment although they also appreciate Booker's emphasis on personal accomplishment. Conservatives like the Texas minister T. D. Jakes are evangelical African Americans who support policies more in common but not totally in line with many white Evangelicals.

The African-American church has traditionally been an important element of social and political movements in the Black community. These generally have been identified with persons of the Left or liberalism, like Jesse Jackson, but this is not always true. On issues concerning homosexuality, Black Protestants are more socially conservative than other groups, excepting White Evangelicals.^[14] Their view on the issue of homosexual teachers changed less than any other segment based on religion or race.

Alabama

• Juan Chastang – Mobile County Commissioner (2005–2008)

Alaska

• David S. Wilson – Member of the Alaska Senate (2017–present)
• Walt Furnace – Member of the Alaska House of Representatives (1983–1991)

Arizona

• Vernon Parker – Mayor of Paradise Valley, Arizona (2008–2010) and U.S. House nominee (2012)

California

• Acquanetta Warren – Mayor of Fontana, California (2010–present)
• Damon Dunn – California Secretary of State Nominee (2010) and Dallas Cowboys football player
• H. Abram Wilson – Mayor of San Ramon, California (2002–2007)
• Ward Connerly – University of California Regent (1993–2005)
• Frederick Madison Roberts – State Assemblyman (1919–1934)

Colorado

• Darryl Glenn – U.S. Senate nominee (2016) and member of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners (2011–present)
• Ryan Frazier – Aurora City Councilman (2003–2010) and U.S. House nominee (2010)
• Ed Jones – Colorado State Senator (2001–2007)

Connecticut

• George Logan – Connecticut State Senator (2017–present)
• Aundre Bumgardner – Connecticut State Representative (2015–2017)

Delaware

• Donald Blakey – Delaware State Representative (2007–2015)
• William J. Winchester – Delaware State Representative (1947–1953)

Florida

• Byron Donalds – Florida State Representative (2017–present)
• Mike Hill – Florida State Representative (2013–2017)
• Peter Boulware – Florida House of Representatives nominee (2008) and Baltimore Ravens football player^[16]

Georgia

• Melvin Everson – Georgia State Representative (2005–2011)
• Willie Talton – Georgia State Representative (2005–2015)
• Henrietta Canty – Georgia State Representative (1990-1998)

Illinois

• Erika Harold – Illinois Attorney General nominee (2018) and Miss America (2003)
• John D. Anthony – Illinois State Representative (2013–2016)
• Tony Childress – Livingston County Sheriff (2014–present)
• Archibald Carey, Jr. – Chicago City Council Alderman (1947–1955)
• Arthur W. Mitchell – Committeeman
• William L. Dawson – Chicago City Council Alderman (1933–1939)

Indiana

• Curtis Hill – Elkhart County Prosecutor (2003–2017) and Attorney General of Indiana (2017–present)
• Roger Brown – Indianapolis City Councillor (1993–1997) and Indiana Pacers basketball player

Kansas

• Tony Barton – Kansas State Representative (2015-2017)
• Willie Dove – Kansas State Representative (2013–present)
• George W. Haley – Kansas State Senator (1964–1968)

Kentucky

• Charles W. Anderson – Kentucky State Representative (1936–1948)
• Anna Simms Banks – Republican Delegate (1920)

Louisiana

• Elbert Guillory – Louisiana State Senator (2009–2015) and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (2015)

Maryland

• Aris T. Allen – Maryland State Delegate (1967–1974 & 1991), Lieutenant Governor nominee (1978) and State Senator (1979–1982)

Massachusetts

• Frank Cousins – Massachusetts State Representative (1993–1996) and Essex County Sheriff (1996–2018)
• Althea Garrison – Massachusetts State Representative (1993–1995)

Michigan

• Paul H. Scott – Michigan State Representative (2009–2011)
• Larry Deshazor – Michigan State Representative (2009–2011)
• Bill Hardiman – Michigan State Senator (2003–2011), Mayor of Kentwood, Michigan (1992–2002) and U.S. House candidate (2010)
• Keith Butler – Detroit Councilman (1989–1993) and U.S. Senate candidate (2006)
• William Lucas – Wayne County Sheriff (1969–1982) and Governor of Michigan nominee (1986)

Mississippi

• Angela McGlowan – Miss District of Columbia USA (1994) and U.S. House candidate (2010)
• Nic Lott – Chairman for the Mississippi Young Republicans
• Yvonne Brown – Mayor of Tchula, Mississippi (2001–2009) and U.S. House nominee (2006)
• Charles Evers – Mayor of Fayette, Mississippi (1969–1981 & 1985–1989)

Missouri

• Shamed Dogan – Missouri State Representative (2015–present)
• Neal E. Boyd – 2008 Winner of America's Got Talent and nominee/candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives (2012/2014)
• Sherman Parker – Missouri State Representative (2002–2008)
• Carson Ross – Missouri State Representative (1989–2002) and Mayor of Blue Springs, Missouri (2008–present)

Nebraska

• Dinah Abrahamson – Nebraska State Central Committeewoman (2005–2013)

Nevada

• Niger Innis – Director of Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and U.S. House candidate (2014)
• Maurice Washington – Nevada State Senator (1994–2010)
• Lynette Boggs – Miss Oregon (1989), Las Vegas City Council (1999–2004), Clark County Commission (2004–2006) and U.S. House nominee (2002)

New Hampshire

• Jim Lawrence – New Hampshire State Representative (2004–2010) and U.S. House nominee (2016)

New Jersey

• Garry Cobb – U.S. House nominee (2014) and Dallas Cowboys football player
• Bruce Harris – Mayor of Chatham Borough, New Jersey (2012–present)
• Martin G. Barnes – Mayor of Paterson, New Jersey (1997–2002)
• Ralph L. Bradley – Mayor of East Windsor, New Jersey (1992–1995)
• James L. Usry – Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey (1984–1990)
• Matthew G. Carter – Mayor of Montclair, New Jersey (1968–1972)
• Walter G. Alexander – State Assemblyman (1920–1924) and Speaker of the Assembly (1921)

New Mexico

• Conrad James – New Mexico State Representative (2010–2012 & 2014–2016)
• Jane Powdrell-Culbert – New Mexico State Representative (2002–present)

New York

• Michel Faulkner – U.S. House nominee (2010) and New York Jets football player
• Richard E. Jackson – Commissioner of Motor Vehicles (1995–2000)
• James Garner – Mayor of Hempstead (1988–2005) and U.S. House nominee (2004)
• Edward A. Johnson – New York State Assemblyman (1918–1920)

North Carolina

• Thomas Stith – Governor of North Carolina Pat McCrory's Chief of Staff (2013–2016)
• Dr. Ada Fisher – NC Republican National Committeewoman (2008–present) and U.S. House nominee (2006 & 2008)

Ohio

• Robert C. Henry – Mayor of Springfield, Ohio (1966–1968)

Oklahoma

• T.W. Shannon – Oklahoma State Representative (2007–2015) and Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2013–2014)
• A. C. Hamlin – Oklahoma State Representative (1908–1910)

Oregon

• Jackie Winters – Oregon State Senator (2002–present)

Pennsylvania

• Harry Lewis Jr. – Pennsylvania State Representative (2014–present)
• Lynn Swann – Governor of Pennsylvania Nominee (2006) and Pittsburgh Steelers football player^[17]
• Renee Amoore – Pennsylvania's Republican State Committeewoman (1992–2000)

South Carolina

• Samuel Rivers Jr. – South Carolina State Representative (2012–present)
• Charmeka Childs – Deputy Superintendinent of Education (2010–2014)

Tennessee

• Charles Drew – Tennessee State Representative (1983–1988)

Texas

• Scott Turner – Texas State Representative (2013–2017) and Denver Broncos football player
• Stefani Carter – Texas State Representative (2011–2015)
• James White – Texas State Representative (2011–present)
• Michael L. Williams – Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency (2012–2015), Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission (1999–2011) and U.S. House candidate (2012)
• Robin Armstrong – Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas (2006–2010)
• Ron Givens – Texas State Representative (1985–1989)
• Clay Smothers – Texas State Representative (1977–1981)

Utah

• Alvin B. Jackson – Utah State Senator (2013–2016)
• James Evans – Utah State Senator (2002–2004) and Chairman of the Utah Republican Party (2013–2017)

Virginia

• E.W. Jackson – Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Nominee (2013)
• Paul Clinton Harris – Virginia State Delegate (1998–2002)
• Octavia Johnson - Sherriff of Roanoke (2005-2013)
• Winsome Sears – Virginia State Delegate (2002–2004) and U.S. House nominee (2004)
• Noel C. Taylor – Mayor of Roanoke, Virginia (1975–1992)

Virgin Islands

• Roy Innis – Chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) & a member of the National Rifle Association's governing board.^[18][19]

Washington

• Michael Ross – Washington State Representative (1971–1973)
• Charles Stokes – Washington State Representative (1951–1959)

West Virginia

• Jill Upson – West Virginia State Delegate (2014–present)

Wyoming

• Lynn Hutchings – Wyoming State Representative (2012–2014)

United States judges

• Angela Tucker – Texas District Court Judge (2012–present)
• Clarence Thomas – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1991–present)
• Dale Wainwright – Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court (2003–2012)
• David W. Williams – Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California (1969–2000)
• George C. Hanks, Jr. – Justice on the Texas state First Court of Appeals (2010–2015) & Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (2015–present)
• Janice Rogers Brown – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California (1996–2005) & U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (2005–2017)
• Jerome Holmes – United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• Kevin A. Ross – Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court (1996–2005) & Judge on America's Court with Judge Ross (2010–present)
• Lynn Toler – Arbitrator on the court series Divorce Court (2001–present)^[20]
• Robert P. Young, Jr. – Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court (1999–2017) & Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court (2011–2017)
• Sarah J. Harper – Ohio Court of Appeals (1990–2003)^[21]
• Wallace Jefferson – Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court (2001–2004) & Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court (2004–2013)

Ambassadors

• Edward J. Perkins – United States Ambassador to the United Nations (1992–1993)
• Eric M. Bost – United States Ambassador to South Africa (2006–2009)
• George Washington Williams – United States Ambassador to Haiti (1885, never served)
• Mifflin Wistar Gibbs – American Consul to Madagascar (1897–1901)

TV personalities, authors and journalists

• Amy Holmes – News anchor and political contributor on CNN
• Antonia Okafor – Gun rights activist and contributor for Fox News and TheBlaze
• Armond White – Film critic for National Review and Out Magazine
• Armstrong Williams – Author of Beyond Blame and TV host of On Point^[22]
• Bishop Larry Gaiters – Nationally syndicated radio talk show host of Global Spiritual Revolution Radio in New York City, New York
• Candace Owens – Writer and commentator
• Carol M. Swain – television personality and professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University
• Charles Blain – Activist, writer, and commentator^{[23][24][25][26][27]}
• Charles Payne – Fox News and Fox Business journalist
• C.L. Bryant – TV host
• Deneen Borelli – Author, columnist, and Fox News contributor
• Deroy Murdock – Columnist for E. W. Scripps Company
• George Schuyler – Journalist
• Hallie Quinn Brown – Author
• Harris Faulkner – Television host for Fox News
• James Golden – Producer for The Rush Limbaugh Show (under the alias "Bo Snerdley")
• Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson – President of the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny^[28]
• Jason Riley – Journalist
• Katrina Pierson – Tea Party activist, communications consultant and a regular CNN contributor
• Kevin Jackson – Political commentator, author, radio talk show host, and Fox News contributor
• Larry Elder – Author of 10 Things You Can't Say in America and radio host^[29]
• Lawrence B. Jones – Radio host, contributor to TheBlaze, and author
• Lenny McAllister – Author of Diary of a Mad Black PYC (Proud Young Conservative) and radio talk-show host from WVON-AM Chicago^[30]
• Lester Holt – News anchor at NBC News, a registered Republican since 2003^[31]
• Michael King – Emmy Award-winning television producer
• Michelle Bernard – Journalist
• Nannie Helen Burroughs – Author
• Paris Dennard – Commentator on CNN and NPR, and the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
• Raynard Jackson – Columnist and TV political analyst
• Robert A. George – Journalist
• Shelby Steele – Author
• Tamera Mowry-Housley – Actress best known for co-starring in the sitcom Sister, Sister^[32]
• Tommy Sotomayor – Radio and internet talk show host, YouTube personality, men's rights activist and film producer^[33]
• Tony Brown – Journalist and host of Tony Brown's Journal

Military

• Lieutenant Colonel Frances Rice – Chairwoman of the National Black Republican Association
• Major General Mary J. Kight – Adjutant General of California (2010–2011)^[34][35][36]
• Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré^[37]

Columnists

• Deroy Murdock – National Review columnist
• Ken Hamblin – Denver Post columnist
• Robert A. George – Columnist for the New York Post
• Stephen L. Carter – Christianity Today columnist, author of The Culture of Disbelief
• Sophia A. Nelson – Chair of PoliticalIntersection.com and politicalintersection.blogspot.com
• Star Parker – President of the Coalition on Urban Renewal and Education, columnist & author
• Thomas Sowell – Hoover Institute fellow and Author of Basic Economics
• Walter E. Williams – Author of More Liberty Means Less Government

Athletes and entertainers

• 50 Cent – Rapper. Supported George W. Bush in 2005,^[38] but switched to the Democratic Party in support of Hillary Clinton in 2008. In the end, Senator Barack Obama beat Clinton to receive the Democratic nomination.^[39]
• Bo Jackson – NFL Football player and MLB Baseball player
• Bryan Clay – Decathlete
• Burgess Owens – NFL Football player
• Cowboy Troy – Country rapper^[40]
• David Tyree – NFL Football player
• Dennis Rodman – Retired professional basketball player, endorsed and voted for Donald Trump at the 2016 presidential election.
• Don King – Boxing promoter
• Dwayne Johnson ("The Rock") – Actor and WWE wrestler
• Ernie Banks – MLB baseball player^[41]
• Gale Sayers – NFL Football player
• Greg Anthony – NBA Basketball player
• Herschel Walker – NFL Football player
• Jackie Robinson – MLB Baseball player
• James Brown – Musician. Openly endorsed Richard Nixon at the 1972 presidential election and named Strom Thurmond as one of his heroes during a 1999 interview with Rolling Stone.^[42][43]
• Pearl Bailey – Actress and singer
• James Earl Jones – Actor
• Jimmie Walker – Actor
• Johnny Mathis – Singer
• Joseph C. Phillips – Actor^[44]
• Joy Villa – Singer. Promoted and supported Donald Trump's presidency in 2017.^[45]
• Karl Malone – Olympic Gold medallist and basketball player^[46]
• Kanye West – Rapper and record producer. Endorsed Donald Trump at the 2016 presidential election. Met President Trump in the Oval Office on 11 October 2018.
• Kenny Washington – First black player to join the National Football League after it lifted its thirteen-year ban on black players in 1946
• Larry Fitzgerald- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
• Mike Jones – WWF wrestler
• Mike Tyson – Former professional boxer
• Nolan Carroll – NFL Football player and son of Jennifer Carroll, Lieutenant Governor of Florida
• Prince – Singer-songwriter
• Ray Lewis – NFL Football player
• Robert Griffin III – NFL Football player
• Ronnie Lott – NFL Football player
• Sheryl Underwood – Comedian
• Stacey Dash – Actress
• Thurman Thomas – NFL Football player^[47]
• Tony Dungy – NFL Football player and coach
• Wilt Chamberlain – NBA Basketball player
• Yaphet Kotto – Actor

Education and business

• Alveda King – Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and senior fellow at the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution
• Arthur Fletcher – Academic
• Booker T. Washington – Academic
• Carol M. Swain – Television analyst and former professor of political science and law at Vanderbilt University
• George Washington Carver – Inventor
• George B. Jackson – Businessman
• Herman Cain – Former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, talk show host and one-time presidential candidate
• James T. Harris III – 9th President of Widener University
• Joshua I. Smith – Businessman
• Marvin Scott – Academic
• Michelle Bernard – President and CEO of the Independent Women's Forum
• Dr. Mildred Fay Jefferson – First African American to graduate from Harvard Medical School
• Samuel B. Fuller – Businessman
• Stephen N. Lackey – Businessman
• Vernon Robinson – Academic
• Thomas Sowell – Academic
• Vern Williams – Member of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel
• Ward Connerly – University of California Regent
• Walter E. Williams – Academic

Civil rights, abolitionists and activists

• Eldridge Cleaver – Leader of the Black Panther Party who later became a Conservative Republican.
• James L. Farmer, Jr. – Civil rights leader, who served within the Nixon administration
• James Meredith – Civil rights campaigner, who served as domestic adviser to Jesse Helms
• James Weldon Johnson – Activist, served as treasurer of Colored Republican Club
• Octavius Catto – Civil rights activist
• Scipio Africanus Jones – Activist
• Dr. T. R. M. Howard – Leader in the Civil Rights Movement