Are blacks the new 'bigots'?

[qanda]

Rich Lowry (Enough said, but open for discussion anyway)

2004 might turn out to be the year when blacks began their journey in the liberal imagination from perpetual victims of bigotry to "bigots" themselves. The left has always forgiven the black community a lot -- its religiosity, with which Jerry Falwell could feel comfortable; its retrograde views on abortion and school prayer; its hostility to gay rights. But now blacks just might have gone too far: They've started to vote Republican.

A pre-election survey by the well-respected Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies had President Bush's support among black voters going from 9 percent in 2000 to 18 percent in 2004. In that survey, Bush's support among black self-described evangelicals hit a stunning 36 percent. "We haven't seen a number like 36 percent anywhere in the black community in a generation," says conservative activist Richard Nadler, who has made it his business to win blacks to the GOP through targeted advertising and outreach.

The numbers fell off on Election Day. According to the exit polls, Bush's support among blacks nationally inched up only slightly from 9 percent in 2000 to 11 percent in 2004. But the kind of dramatic movement in the pre-election Joint Center survey showed up in the battleground states where the GOP invested the most resources to woo black voters. Bush went from 7 percent of the black vote in Florida in 2000 to 13 percent in 2004. In all-important Ohio, Bush's support among blacks rose from 10 percent to 16 percent.

"I have not found a single black precinct where Bush's vote went down from 2000," Nadler says. "It just went up everywhere." One Republican strategist predicts that the GOP share of the black vote will hit 30 percent within the next few election cycles. If it does, many religious black voters will be finding their appropriate home in a political environment defined by a cultural split over social issues.

(more)

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/richlowry/rl20041117.shtml

[msgadget]

1. First, eww

Second, thanks for the great topic starter!

To answer your question, no, I don't think blacks are 'new' bigots because bigotry has always existed within our communities. As evidenced by this GOP progress report they were able to successfully target-market to fears and disenchantment just as they did other vulnerable religous groups. And, unfortunately, all it took was a little study, time and attention.

Was there was a schism between progressive and fundamentalist black churches prior to this? I always assumed people worshiped at the Lord's house that met their needs so the main question for me is, will these new 'moral values' be the weapons of mass segregation the GOP intends them to be?

[TroubleMan]

2. The oligarchy will always find a group for you to hate - to blame

99% of the time is the elite's fault, but they always use this tactic to divert your energy and attention away from them.

Example:

In the early union days, union workers blamed black picket crossers.

Poor white sharecroppers blaming poor black sharecroppers.

Hitler blaming the Jews.

Americans blaming the Muslim religion for 9/11.

Religious elite blaming gays, porn, music industry, gaming industry, ect for erosion of morals and family values. (it's greed and materialism, you rolex wearing bastards!!)

Blaming immigrants for anything.

Frontiersmen blaming Native Americans for their problems.

.....

It's really sad how effective this tactic is. It is a tried and true playbook for the ruling class to get the angry mobs to lynch the wrong people. In fact, I can't think of any time this tactic hasn't worked.

[SemperEadem]

4. true dat

In the early union days, union workers blamed black picket crossers.

The East St. Louis Race Riot of 1917 is a hideous example of that.

[American liberal]

3. Certainly not in my community

Blacks in Chicago vote overwhelmingly Democrat. Always have. I do wonder about that other 20% sometimes, especially when I hear stories about black, gay, cross-dressers voting for Bush. I shake my head in bewilderment.

[GOPFighter]

5. I've always assumed that the...

government funding of faith-based community initiatives was a clever way for this administration to channel millions of dollars into black churches in return for their support. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Republicans get 30% of the black vote by 2008.

Hell, the GOP has managed to flim-flam millions of white voters, so - in the name of equality - why not blacks?

:eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

6. Based on what happened in Ohio in 2004, and Florida in 2000

with the Black vote, I doubt that Republicans ever get 30% of the Black vote. Guess Rebugs figure if they keep repeating the concept long enough, that Blacks should vote Republican because of moral issues.....enough African-Americans will eventually buy into this.

What they forget is that the majority of Black folks aren't into buying the "Okie-Doke" just cause someone standing on a street corner is loudly selling this notion!

[GOPFighter]

7. I sure hope you're right!

A lovely, kind, compassionate black lady in my office voted for Bush because of the gay marriage issue. That's ALL that matters to her, we must prevent gay matrriage. She listens to religious radio all day long. All the other black females in our office are also very religious. All are ripe for becoming Republicans.

GOPFighter

[kwassa]

8. Why quote Townhall anyway?

Right-wing fake newsource that it is. Why not quote SmearMax, er, Newsmax?

The black electorate is still overwhelmingly Democratic, in percentages unimaginable in any other group.

13-16 % Blacks voting Republican are not scary figures, here. There are always extremely conservative voters among blacks, and single issue voters, like any other group.

[JohnLocke]

9. Rich Lowry's a racist moron who wants to be Tucker Carlson.