ST. PAUL -- All throughout the week I have spoken with blacks of different walks of life attending the Republican National Convention, from small business entrepreneurs to law clerks. All of them gave different reasons for joining the Republican Party, but one thing was consistent: they felt that the GOP's plans and policies are the best way to ensure that they succeed in this society.While he was a student at Grambling State University, Republican National Committee member Shannon Reeves was told by one of his professors that his writings were quite conservative. It was this comment that sparked in his interest in the Republican Party.
Reeves, a former secretary of California's Republican Party, says he actually made the decision to join the GOP "because I felt that black people were being used by the Democrats." He also agreed with Republicans on issues such as the importance of "personal responsibility and economic self-sufficiency." Ironically, at the same time Reeves was committing himself to the Republican Party, he was still the president of his college's chapter of the NAACP; belonging to two groups that on the surface seem fundamentally at odds with each other.
"People get more conservative once they have something to conserve," says Reeves, explaining the evolution, adding that both blacks and Republicans are interested in holding on to what they've gained once they've reached their goal. He continues, "When you buy that first house or get that first major job and see all the payroll taxes coming out of your check, you find out just how conservative you really are."
Reeves believes that the task of black Republicans is to not allow the Democrats to cast a racist cloud over the Republican Party so that blacks are scared away. Instead, "It's up to black Republicans to take the initiative, to lead the conversation in the black community. That's how we can attract more blacks.
"I have to vote for basic policies that create a certain quality of life for my today and my children's future," says Reeves, who also believes that race should not be a barrier to fulfilling the American dream. That's why he thinks that other African Americans who want to achieve should give the GOP a second look as well.
Comments: (373)
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By: Maria on 9/03/2008 8:19PM
I think to be black and vote republican is an oxymoron. The reason I say that is that the republicans use black people to get their own ends. They hate black people, gay people and all people of color.
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By: Robin Oden on 9/03/2008 8:18PM
His comments sound extremely self serving. If I understand him correctly, organizations such as the NAACP, which supports affirmative action and other policies that help to improve the lot of African Ametricans, contributed to his success. However, now that he has success he believes that the republican party will help him and his family keep the spoils of his success. How hypocritical! These kind of people are why the republican party is the party of the haves not the have nots.
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By: Von on 9/06/2008 12:21PM
Branden Cobb is a man who understands what policies benefit him and others. Self-Sufficiency will not only help him, but just about any able bodied person with a brain. As a Repulican leaning independant, I think that people keeping what they earn is the American way. Mr Cobb is a member of the NAACP and a Republican. The policies of the Republicans are not color specific. The Republicans want everyone to have the chance to succeed, but the Democrats want to tax the success out of everybody & redistribute the wealth!! Guess what!!, If you take all the money from all the wealthy people & give it to the poor people, most of them will squander it!!
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By: Lee on 9/03/2008 8:51PM
The Republican Party really cares about people of all backgrounds..they help less fortunate people get the tools they need which will secure them a better opportunity in life. The Democrats want these same people to depend on the Goverment which in turn gives the Democrats control of their lives. They try to "dummy-down" people with programs that do not stimulate their minds and help them live the American Dream. History shows that Blacks typically voted Republican but over the years they have changed to the Democrat vote. How has that helped them or improved their quality of life? Not at all! We are all equal and that's the Republican way, we want everyone to have the same opportunity in the great USA. Republicans do not judge anyone by the color of their skin, that is a myth which is spread by the left. Don't buy into their myths and untruths... it's a bunch of bull which they hope uneducated citizens will believe; this in turn strengthens their base. Mr. Reeves, a very smart, educated person with a lot of common sense sees the truth and has made his decision based on knowledge, not the propaganda spread by the left.
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By: MRUMPREY on 9/03/2008 9:02PM
wELL BUD, IM 40 AN I DONT THINK IN MY LIFE TIME THAT A PARTY ON THE HEELS OF MLKS(I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH ANNIVESARY) WOULD NOT ONE AKKNOWLEDGE THE SPEECH OR THE MAN. LIKE WISE RECOGNIZE THE HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OBAMA BECOMING THE FIRST PERSON OF COLOR TO SECURE A MAJOR NOMINATION,THE DEMS MAY NOT BE THE BEST, BUT ARE U SAYING A BLACK AMERICAN SHOULD WASTE A VOTE ON THE INHERENTLY ALMOST OPENLY RACIST REPUBLICAN PARTY.WHERE SITS MANY SENATORS INC. MCCAIN WHO FOUGHT WITH EVERY FIBER OF THEIR BEING NOT TO ALLOW MLK A HOLOIDAY
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By: Inkognegro on 9/03/2008 9:17PM
Let's keep it real.
Most of the VISIBLE Black Republicans you see are on their hustle.
If you are a vocal Black Republican...YOU WILL GET ON TV. YOU WILL GET PAID.
The ones who do it for free...Iono what thats about.
And PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE lets not confuse Black Conservatives with Black Republicans.
I respect any Black Conservative who chooses to believe what he/she believes.
Just like I respect Liberals.
People who put party before ideas....I got no time.
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By: Jeanne on 9/03/2008 9:23PM
They are joining the Republicans because they care about their country. The media and the Democrats seem to forget that the Presidential Elections is about democracy in action. It's about Americans wanting a better future for their children, it has nothing to do with race contrary to what the drive by media would have us believe, lol.
It's about uniting the country, a country filled with a mix of race and cultures and it's citizens will vote in office the person best qualified, because they are qualified to do the job. In short, they are smart!
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By: Tariq on 9/03/2008 9:29PM
great article! Not every black person is willing to be a slave on the plantation of the Democrat party!
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By: Alica on 9/10/2008 10:45AM
Truthfully I find it odd that it seems like the majority of blacks are members of the party that was pro-slavery. I realize that it has been one hundred and fifty years, but that is the history of the party that that they are affiliated with. Historically, the democratic party has been anti-black, not pro black.
Each party has its own weaknesses and strengths. To say that for a person of any particular race to vote for one party is oxymoron is ridiculous. People have a chance to research and figure out what they really believe. It doesn't matter what you have voted in the past, or your parents or grandparents before you. WE have a chance to truly see what we believe and vote for the side that is most in line with life as we see it.
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By: DAELIN on 9/03/2008 10:00PM
The interesting thing here is that people think that a black man can't choose to be a Republican. He made a conscious decision for that party. You say he's self serving? You say that Republicans hate gays..... many blacks are very religious and as people who are very religious they generally tend to not like gays and transgendered people. What's the big deal? Let them vote for Republicans if they are conservative. Let them decide for themselves instead of being made to feel like they're not "black" by not voting Democratic. End the groupthink.
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