The Division of Black Conservatives and their Works

Many people view Black Conservatives as being divided, and they are. It is true that they don't focus on the same causes at the same time, therefore, making it a fact that they are divided.

According to www.publiceye.org they have little to no institutional base in the African American communities, nor do they have a significant Black following or Black constituency. In reference to their works, they have well-publicized books, television personalities, consultants, and hold high political offices. Indeed Black Conservatives are more visible in the White community than they are in the Black community.

Let's examine the work of a few conservatives such as Armstrong William, Alan Keyes, Robert Woodson, and Glenn Loury. One of the interesting aspects about these conservatives is that the same people reward them and their messages are the same. Armstrong William is a Black Conservative who is guided by conservative viewpoints. His beliefs include a reduction of government spending, the promotion of Christian values, economic growth through hard work, accumulative capital and endorsement of small government. Mr. William's works are embodied in his journalism, public speaking and it is supported primarily by White Conservatives.  

Alan Keyes’s, Robert Woodson's and Thomas Sowell's views are based on the same principles as William's—moral, spiritual, and material values; the primacy of organic institutions, including family, church, and neighborhood. Alan Keys' works consist of a public speaking, writing and media entertainment—he presently has a new talk show that is just airing on cable. The Washington Post, The Republican Party, and The Citizens against Government Waste support him.  

Robert Woodson is an advisor for the Madison Groups, a loose affiliation of conservative state-level think tanks launched in 1986 by American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Thomas Sowell, a senior fellow at the conservative in Palo Alto think tank, the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace. His works have been accepted in publications such as Commentary, The American, The Spectator, Human Events, Wall Street Journal, Barron's, and Business Week. These publications consistently provide the most review articles on his works.

Glenn Loury's reputation and influence rest upon one book and a series of articles that have appeared in most of the major mainstream publications as well as the Wall Street Journal, Commentary , and The Public Interest. Even though he published only one book, his popularity for his conservative agenda for American Blacks keeps him well endowed with support by White Conservatives around the world.

These Black Conservatives have the same message. They are supported basically by the same groups—White Conservatives and White Conservative media. They are against abortion, they supposedly support Christian values, they support reduction in government spending, economic growth through hard work, accumulative capital, and desire small government. But since they are supported primarily, if not totally, by White Conservatives, they are separated from the Black community and potential Black constituents who might hear and support their cause.  

Their focus at any given time might be different. For example, while Armstrong William may be focusing on moral issues, Alan Keyes may be focusing on liberating Blacks from their miserable conditions by returning to the moral dignity of Black America. These assumptions of an absence of moral dignity divide them from Black America. Beyond their speaking and writing about Blacks in the United States, they do nothing more, other than enrich themselves with White money.  

Their words must have actions behind them. Talk alone doesn't empower people; action must accompany it. Many White Conservatives enjoy hearing Black Conservatives talk, because they know that they say what they want them to say, and talk is all they're doing. Therefore, they are willing to support.