Why do African-American's vote so solidly Democrat, regardless of the canidate?

Question

As a black Democrat myself, I am curious why we as a people do not analyze all canidates and the issues they represent. And, I am curious as to why we consider black Republicans as "sell-outs" or "white-washed"... Personally, I believe that as a people, historically, we are very moderate. We believe in gun control, but don't generally support gay marriage. We support government employment but would rather the government not meddle in our state affairs. So, in short, why have we allowed the Democratic party a free-ride to our vote?

Answer 1

I am sure there are a lot of contributing factors but here is what first comes to mind. Kennedy was the first president that I saw a huge black following for. He made civil rights very prominent in his platform and his presidency. Black people genuinely loved him and he was a democrat.

I may have been the first time many black people felt that they were finally part of the system. Johnson, carried on with getting a lot of the necessary legislation passed to insure the civil rights of black people. Of course, he too was a democrat.

What a lot of people don't know is it was only with the help of the republicans in congress that that legislating passed. Nearly every southern democrat was dead set against it. This includes Al Gore's dad who was a democratic Senator and a staunch segregationist and Senator Robert Byrd democrat W. Virginia still serving as Senator who was a member of the Klu Klux Klan. In fact when Byrd was the Governor of W. Virginia it was he who first raised the confederate flag over the statehouse.

I believe it is the legacy of JFK and LBJ that first brought black voters to the democratic party. The tradition just stuck. But you are correct. The modern democratic party does just assume black voters will vote democrat regardless.

Glad to see you are questioning the usefulness of just following tradition.

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Answer 2

I am surprised that, as an African American, you can speak about your own people as "generalities". I am white, but half of my family is Black (you figure it out...) and I have found that the Black people I know come in all political "shades", from ultra conservative to almost Communist....

I do believe, though, that Republicans have never, never come close to meeting the needs of the Black people in this country. (Remember Barbara Bush saying that the people in the stadiums after Hurricane Katrina were probably feeling pretty good, as they were in a better place than where they had lived before the hurricane?)

And, if you feel that the Democratic Party has not met YOUR needs, why are you still a Democrat?

I think that your analysis of what African Americans support or don't support is weak, though.

Answer 3

Republicans here keep talking about the Southern Democrats from decades ago... Hello those would be the democrats of yesterday (the same dems who left the party when the party fought for civil rights), and are now the Republicans of today. Look at who carries those same states now (Republicans), and what (little) they have done for civil rights. African Americans vote Democrat because they are smart and know who will serve the best interest of their community and our country.

Answer 4

Google "Nixon" and "Southern strategy" and read up on it, bro.

African-Americans are most often socially conservative and politically liberal. They believe in helping those less fortunate because they are real Christians, not fake ones, and they take Jesus' teachings seriously. They understand oppression and hardship and how the support of your community can help you overcome difficulties. And they unlikely to cross over in large numbers to a party that now contains all the bigots who left the Southern wing of the Democratic Party (the Dixiecrats). Why do you think the South is the most solid voting bloc for the Republicans? Hmmm?

This is not to say that you shouldn't think for yourself and carefully listen to all the candidates and research the issues. That's admirable. But be wary of the wolf in sheep's clothing, as my grandma used to say.

Answer 5

They are told to.

Mr. Yuck, was it not a democrat that stood in the doorway of the University of Alabama to stop black students from attending? Was it not the majority of the democratic party that belonged to the KKK? The only thing I remember the republican party members ask any minority to do is be self reliant. You think the social programs that democrats set up for minorities are helping, but look at the programs successes......there are none. They have solved no problems just expanded to more people. With the welfare program they tell you what you can own, with the food stamp program they tell you what you can eat, and with public housing they tell where to live. That is not assistance, its control.

Answer 6

Because neo-cons are racists and have infiltrated the Repub party.

The true repub party fought to end slavery and fought for civil rights. When a Dem president gave blacks the right to vote, the racists Dems fled the party (Dixie-crats) and over ran the repubs. Thus, the neo-con was born. Southern Dems who hated to see a group of US citizens have democracy in America. LBJ deserves credit for going against his own party in that respect.

Answer 7

I have no clue why that is but I certainly hope that changes. Black republicans are no sell out and I hope to see more of them.

Answer 8

because generally speaking minorities have been disenfranchised for so long that it has only been the democratic party that has better met their needs!!!!!!!

Answer 9

I think it has to do with the so called Black Leaders, who line
their pockets in order to deliver those votes.

Answer 10

what is your alternative the re-publicans,man good luck with that!it took bush how long to speak to the naacp?