Why do Most black people vote for Democrats?

Question

I have allways wondered Why do Most black people vote for Democrats? I'm white and have talked to alot black people in my life time and most seem to have Old fashion Christian values, such as against abortion, against same-sex marriage and the acceptance of homosexuality into mainstream society.
I'm sure many people will say it because of Republicans like Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, and Rush Limbaugh. But those people need a history lesson. Did you know Until 1935, every black federal legislator was Republican. America's first black U.S. Representative, South Carolina's Joseph Rainey, and our first black senator, Mississippi's Hiram Revels, both reached Capitol Hill in 1870. On December 9, 1872, Louisiana Republican Pinckney Benton Stewart "P.B.S." Pinchback became America's first black governor.
Here's another, January 26, 1922: The U.S. House adopted Rep. Leonidas Dyer's (R., Mo.) bill making lynching a federal crime. Filibustering Senate Democrats killed the bill. I have more

Also, did u know August 17, 1937: Republicans opposed Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Supreme Court nominee, U.S. Senator Hugo Black (D., Al.), a former Klansman who defended Klansmen against race-murder charges.
Also July 2, 1964: Democratic President Johnson signed the 1964 Civil Rights Act after former Klansman Robert Byrd's 14-hour filibuster and the votes of 22 other Senate Democrats (including Tennessee's Al Gore, Sr.) failed to scuttle the measure. Illinois Republican Everett Dirksen rallied 26 GOP senators and 44 Democrats to invoke cloture and allow the bill's passage.
PLEASE don't think I am a racist because I'm not, the love of my life is my wife, she is a Beautiful black woman.

I was listening to a interview on National Public Radio about this subject a few months ago and the guy being interview said was because when African-Americans became a powerful voting force in the South, their leaders saw what Party held the Political power in the South and was the Democrats and they took it over by shear numbers. I'm sorry but I don't remember the name of this man but he was interview because a new book he authored.
Maybe someone might know.

Answer 1

Becuase they're a heckuva lot smarter than the white folks who aren't in the top 2% of income earners and who voted Republican. You might say they know what side their bread is buttered on.

Answer 2

I'm not African-American, but as a member of another minority, I'll do my best to respond. Traditionally the Democratic party has been representive of the common man, and it's no secret that the huge majority of the wealthy in this country are white and male. It's an unfortunate fact though that the lines of separation between the two parties are becoming increasingly blurred. I think it's up to all of us---African-Americans, Native Americans, and every other forward-thinking American---to demand a change and support a third-party candidate. Neither Democrats nor Republicans will shape up until we have a viable third party.

Answer 3

You almost answered your own question, until the Republicans became the party of Thurmond, Helms and Limbaugh, African-Americans primarily supported the Republican Party. It wasn't until Republicans dropped Civil Rights as and issue and embraced segregationists that African-Americans came out forcefully in support of the Democrats. Your historical evidence is interesting, but you don't seem to take it all the way to its logical conclusion, the parties basically swapped places on the political spectrum, when African Americans supported the Republicans, the Republicans were the liberal party, when they switched to the Democrats, it was only when the Democrats had become the more liberal party, the fact is that African American voters have always been consistent: by and large they have supported the more liberal of the two major parties.

Answer 4

Very interesting historical facts--thanks!

There *are* black Republicans, but I think you're right that more blacks vote Democrat. The reason is that BOTH parties have changed significantly. There have been three generations of Americans since the 1920's/30's. People today are looking at the parties of today (and of their parents' generation). While the Republicans of 1922 tried to make lynching a federal crime (good for them), the Democrats of the 1960's (not counting Southern Democrats who have since turned Republican) supported the Civil Rights movement. While the Republicans of the 1860's & 70's promised every black man some land and a mule, the current Republicans are balking against any kind of social assistance for the underprivileged.

Take a look at each party today. The Republican politicians are significantly whiter (and more male) than the Democratic politicians. That has more power than does history.

Answer 5

Yes, the old Southern Democrats were racist, but things have changed. Those Southern Democrats would now be Republicans.

Since politics started in America, there have been changes in parties and views in the parties. We have had Whigs, Republicans, Democrats, and others. Today, Blacks tend to vote for Democrats because the Democrats tend to help the poor more than the Republicans. I made more money and had less problems when Clinton was in office than both bushes, even though I am a Moderate.

Answer 6

probably because Southern democrats opposed the civil rights movement. while the democrat party became more liberal, most southern democrats started voting GOPcandidates running against democrat candidates and eventually joined the republican party, converting it into an ultra-conservative group.
that was in the 50s and 60s.

now maybe you would like to compare their voting record of that time with the realities, and voting record of today, instead of trying to figure out why someone is voting one way in the present, while something else happened in the past.
Sorry, but we don't vote for people who were in the government in 1937, today.

Answer 7

Hmmm,
looks like someone decided to take an African American History class as an elective!

Answer 8

Because they believe the Liberal rhetoric regarding Republicans. Liberals stereotype R's on a regular basis in the mainstream media and here, as well. It does not take much if you keep saying it over and over. I am offended by these comments, but they don't seem to care. They have no idea what I do for the poor, but they accuse me of hatred and call me a liar. They claim they are for diversity, but not if you are a white Republican.

Answer 9

It's true that Republicans have historically supported black people, but I am not sure that you're right about most black people supporting democrats. Honestly, I've talked to a lot of black people and a lot of them seem not to really like the democrats. The media, however, likes to pretend that black people support democrats.

Answer 10

Because Democrats offer "a helping hand" even though it is actually the hand holding the blacks heads underwater.

Republicans on the other hand instead promote black people (and other minorities) to positions like Secretary of State because Republicans are racist.........