Recently, Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain made a remark on national television stating that many blacks have been “brainwashed” by Democrats. Obviously, his comments were met by some severe criticism by both black and white Democrats in the media. However, agree or disagree, does he make a valid point or is that remark baseless?
First off, I don’t think that any reasonable, unbiased person would believe that he truly meant they were literally “brainwashed”. So with that in mind, the only way to determine the validity of his remark, we must seek out the “truth”. And the truth can only be found in history – facts never lie.
Since the mid 1960’s, it’s been reported – through various sources – that African-Americans have consistently voted between 80-95% Democratic, with over 74% of black voters identifying themselves as Democrats.
In 2010, the DNC chairman reported that of the 15 million new voters who registered as Democrats in 2008, two-thirds (10 million) were African-American. Now I couldn’t locate a total number of actual registered black Democrats; however, the available evidence overwhelming shows that a majority of African-American voters indeed do identify themselves with the Democratic Party. So it’s not unreasonable to assume that tens of millions of African-American voters – certainly a number much greater than that reported 10 million – are indeed registered Democrats. I don’t think anyone would reasonably dispute this.
By the way, prior to the 1960’s, African-Americans largely identified themselves with the Republican Party. What happened? Let’s take a look.
The Democratic Party founded the Ku Klux Klan.
The KKK was established as the “terrorist” wing of the Democratic Party. The original targets of the Ku Klux Klan were Republicans – both black and white. The Democrats viewed Republicans as “friends” of the black people and, in general, a threat to slavery. The Klan went through three transformations over time, and from 1882 to1964 approximately 3,400 blacks and 1,300 whites were lynched by the KKK.
In 1871, the Republican Party, under Republican President Ulysses Grant, attempted to dismantle the KKK when they passed the Ku Klux Klan Act. However, after simply hiding underground for a few years, the Ku Klux Klan re-emerged in 1915. That is when Democrat President Woodrow Wilson, a known racist, premiered “Birth of a Nation” in the White House.
This was a racist film based on a book authored by one of Wilson’s racist college friends. That movie glorified the Klan and inspired southern Democrats to revive the KKK – spawning the modern-day movement – and once again rising it to power within the ranks of the Democratic Party.
Here’s some more history on the road to the truth.
*This list is reposted from The Real Democratic Party
Democrats fought to expand slavery while Republicans fought to end it. Democrats passed discriminatory Black Codes and Jim Crow laws. Democrats supported and passed the Missouri Compromise to protect slavery. Democrats supported and passed the Kansas Nebraska Act to expand slavery. Democrats supported and backed the Dred Scott Decision. Democrats opposed educating blacks and murdered teachers. Democrats fought against anti-lynching laws. Democrats declared that they would rather vote for a “yellow dog” than vote for a Republican, because the Republican Party was known as the party for blacks. Democrat Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, is well known for having been a “Kleagle” in the Ku Klux Klan. Democrat Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, personally filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for 14 straight hours to keep it from passage. Democrats passed the Repeal Act of 1894 that overturned civil right laws enacted by Republicans. Democrat President Woodrow Wilson, reintroduced segregation throughout the federal government immediately upon taking office in 1913. Democrat President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first appointment to the Supreme Court was a life member of the Ku Klux Klan, Sen. Hugo Black, Democrat of Alabama. Democrat President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s choice for vice president in 1944 was Harry Truman, who had joined the Ku Klux Klan in Kansas City in 1922. Democrat President Franklin D. Roosevelt resisted Republican efforts to pass a federal law against lynching. Democrat President Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed integration of the armed forces. Democrat Senators Sam Ervin, Albert Gore, Sr. and Robert Byrd were the chief opponents of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Democrats supported and backed Judge John Ferguson in the case of Plessy v Ferguson. Democrats supported the School Board of Topeka Kansas in the case of Brown v The Board of Education of Topeka Kansas. Democrats were who Republican Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the other protesters were fighting against. Democrat Georgia Governor Lester Maddox “brandished” an ax hammer to prevent blacks from patronizing his restaurant. Democrat Governor George Wallace stood in front of the Alabama schoolhouse in 1963, declaring there would be segregation forever. Democrat Arkansas Governor Faubus tried to prevent desegregation of Little Rock public schools. Democrat Senator John F. Kennedy voted against the 1957 Civil Rights Act. Democrat President John F. Kennedy opposed the 1963 March on Washington by Dr. King. Democrat President John F. Kennedy had Dr. King wiretapped and investigated by the FBI. Democrat President Bill Clinton’s mentor was U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, an Arkansas Democrat and a supporter of racial segregation. Democrat President Bill Clinton interned for J. William Fulbright in 1966-67. Democrat Senator J. William Fulbright signed the Southern Manifesto opposing the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision. Democrat Senator J. William Fulbright joined with the Dixiecrats in filibustering the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1964. Democrat Senator J. William Fulbright voted against the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In 1963, Democratic President John F. Kennedy introduces bold civil rights legislation. However, based on the historical record, that decision certainly appears to have been political, and not ideological, as his voting record on civil rights – prior to his Presidency – speaks for itself. Now I don’t personally believe JFK was racist, but I don’t believe he was the great advocate of civil rights that Democrats have made him out to be. I believe he was lukewarm – at best – on civil rights and, had it not been for the change in popular opinion, and resulting political pressure, he would never have called for new legislation.
In my opinion, his widow, Jackie Kennedy, actually speaks more about Kennedy’s true sentiments at that time, than his record. In her recently released audiotapes, she describes the “father” of the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. – who was a Republican – as “a terrible man” and a “phony”.
And although these remarks were likely more related to the fact that MLK was reportedly “promiscuous” – and not necessarily related to him being “black” – this is still very compelling, as her opinion was obviously based wholly, or partially, on information provided to her by her husband and his brother Robert F. Kennedy, who was the Attorney General, and had authorized wire taps on MLK.
After Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, President Lyndon Johnson took office, signing into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Ironically, JFK disliked Johnson, as Jackie – quoting her husband – says, “‘Oh, God, can you ever imagine what would happen to the country if Lyndon were president?”. His decision to pick Johnson as his Vice President – as his decision to introduce civil rights legislation – certainly appears to have been purely political.
Even Johnson has been quoted as often referring to MLK, and other African-American, as “niggers” in private. So it certainly appears that his public actions – like Kennedy’s – were almost always politically motivated, and even further support the argument of how politics trumped principle when it came to black’s civil rights in the ’60’s.
I mention all this simply to point-out the disparity between the public’s perception of Kennedy and Johnson – as it relates to blacks and the civil rights movement – and their true feelings.
So finally we are at the truth. It was the 1964 Civil Rights Act that was THE singular event responsible for blacks aligning themselves with the Democratic Party. That legislation – along with the powerful perception that it created of Democrats “caring” more about black people – was the turning point in American politics. African-Americans literally abandoned the party of Lincoln – who fought and died for their civil rights all throughout American history – and just turned a blind-eye on 172 years of the Democrats racially nefarious history.
With that, most African-Americans conveniently had forgotten all about a small, military conflict called the “Civil War”. You know, the one where the North (Republicans) fought against the South (Democrats) – for four years – to end slavery. The war where 365,000 Republicans died for the cause and delivered the most significant piece of civil rights legislation ever – The Emancipation Proclamation.
So, essentially, most African-Americans have now made a life-long political devotion to a documented, racist political Party, based on one single piece of legislation that certainly appears to have been passed not on principle, but for political power.
So what does this all have to do with blacks being “brainwashed”?
Well let’s assume that all of these black Democratic voters Herman Cain is referring to are completely aware of all the facts I’ve outlined above. The question is then why would any self-respecting, African-American align themselves with a party that supported racist actions and atrocities against their ancestors? The equivalent could only be compared to Jews aligning themselves with a party that founded and supported the Nazis or Hezbollah.
I can almost assure you that no well-informed, self-respecting Jew would knowingly – or willingly – align himself or herself with a party, or any related organization, that supported either of those parties – not now, not then, not ever.
Naturally, biased Democrats will deflect this by arguing that today’s KKK is an extreme right-wing organization, spinning and drawing comparisons between the GOP and the KKK. An unbiased person wouldn’t argue that they are indeed now an extreme right-wing group, but there’s certainly no history or proof that directly, or indirectly, connects them to the Republican Party – now or ever.
Besides, blacks are NOT largely siding with Republicans, so that point would be a non-starter.
Now, more reasonable Democrats will simply acknowledge the facts and argue that those past behaviors and actions don’t represent what the Democratic Party is today. And I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with that assertion either, but that still doesn’t negate their history. More importantly, given that history, to what degree can African-American’s today be certain that the true attitudes of the Democratic establishment have actually changed?
Afterall, for decades they shook African-American’s hands in daylight, and then hanged them at night. Even the Ku Klux Klan can argue that they’re not really what they once were either. Some organized gangs, and other terrorist groups, use the very same tactic in order to win over public support too.
Hmm….they all eerily have a lot in common.
This whole subject is extremely perplexing to me personally, and is the reason why I decided to write this piece. For the record, I’m a middle-age male of Latino decent and a registered Independent. I grew up in a middle-class, largely black neighborhood, went to a largely black Elementary, Junior High and High School in South East Queens, NY. I have dated black women, broken bread with black families and friends, and currently have a black common-law “son-in-law”.
Some of the best friends I’ve ever had in my life were and are black. And I remember, even though everyone would always first assume I was Caucasian, they always accepted me, welcomed me into their homes, and treated me as one of their own without knowing my background. I have many fond memories of those times.
Every black family I ever met growing-up was hard working, respectable, very religious and, many, even more socially conservative than many white Republicans I know. In my opinion, everything about their lifestyle reeked of conservatism to me. So given my personal, first-hand experiences – and putting the horrible history of the Democratic Party aside for one moment – I have always been curious as to why more blacks didn’t align themselves with the Republican party?
In a 2002 survey conducted by the Pew Hispanic Center, 52% of African Americans said they would prefer to pay lower taxes and have a smaller government. Sixty seven percent (67%) feel illegal immigrants hurt the economy and would support stronger immigration laws. That’s the Republican stance. Now granted, when polled, many blacks don’t agree with the Republican stance on certain social issues like abortion, but then they certainly do regarding gay marriage. It’s all over the place.
My point is they too – just like white people - don’t necessarily align perfectly with either party all the time. Certainly on economic and other national issues many blacks appear to align themselves more with Republicans and Conservative values. So then why do they overwhelmingly, continuously and collectively choose to align themselves with the Democratic Party?
Not 50 or 60% alignment, but 80-95% support for the party of the KKK?
If those black people simply don’t like the Republican Party that’s perfectly fine, I personally couldn’t care less, but why become a proud card-carrying Democrat? There’s a choice. Register as an Independent or don’t register at all, but certainly don’t become a registered member of a group that was directly responsible for expanding slavery and murdering your ancestors….for decades!
What happened to “black pride”?
So, in my opinion, Herman Cain certainly does make a valid point. When you examine all of the facts, it makes perfect sense to me that an intelligent black person in the 21st century – such as Cain – would believe that no other well-informed, self-respecting African-American citizen would ever knowingly – or willingly – choose to align him/herself with the Democratic Party. Therefore, the only logical reason could be that these particular black people must have been “brainwashed” by the artful rhetoric of a white Democratic Party.
Notice I emphasized citizen, because it’s certainly not beyond any politician, political pundit or operative – black or white – to align him/herself with any party, regardless of any facts, for their own political power or financial gain.
Now, there will no doubt be “haters” who will just get heated and react childishly when reading this. Biased people always tend to ignore facts they don’t like, create their own truth and even attempt to rewrite history. They will dig deep and counter with some alternate or rewritten “facts” that somehow tie this all to white racist Republicans – or any group with an opposing view for that matter. But if you look at just the history, as it was, any unbiased person cannot reasonably deny the overwhelming amount of historical facts that detail a long disturbing history of egregious racism associated to – and embedded within – the Democratic Party.
Incidentally, I find it hilarious how Democrats constantly try to label Republicans, and “Tea Party” aligning Conservatives, as “racists” – with zero proof – yet conveniently ignore their party’s own racist past. It’s happened to me and I’ve been accused of “sounding” racist. In my experience, these people are largely white, upper-class, know-it-alls who grew up in lilly white communities. They seem to always make assumptions – based on their own charmed lives – and 8 times out of 10 are just dead wrong.
More times than not, they have never set foot into a black person’s home socially, have never had an actual black friend – not an “acquaintance” – or have ever invited a black person into their own home socially. They’re the ones who lecture others on racial equality and tolerance, but will move from their home when the black family moves in next door. It’s simply hypocrisy on crack!
So all said, I can only hope that Herman Cain was right when he said “most blacks have been brainwashed”, because the alternative would certainly shatter my life-long perception of who most African-Americans really are at heart – proud and principled.
Vote for country – NOT for party.