8.3 African American political gains and the rise of Black conservatism
2 min read•july 22, 2024
African Americans made significant political gains after the Civil Rights Movement. Key figures like Shirley Chisholm and broke barriers, while factors like the increased representation. These advancements reshaped the political landscape.
Simultaneously, emerged, challenging traditional liberal approaches. This movement emphasized , , and . It diversified African American political thought and influenced Republican outreach efforts, sparking debates on addressing racial inequalities.
African American Political Gains Post-Civil Rights
Key African American political figures
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- Shirley Chisholm broke barriers as the first Black woman elected to Congress (1968) and ran as the first Black major-party candidate for President of the United States (1972)
- , an influential civil rights activist and politician, ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, raising the profile of African American issues
- made history as the first elected African American governor in U.S. history, serving as the Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994
- shattered the glass ceiling as the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, representing Illinois
- Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States (2008-2016) and passed the , providing healthcare coverage to millions of Americans
Factors for increased political representation
- Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminated barriers to voting (literacy tests, poll taxes), leading to increased African American voter registration and participation
- Redistricting and the creation of enabled the election of more African American representatives by concentrating minority voters
- Increased and organization, with the growth of African American advocacy groups, mobilized voters and supported candidates
- Changing attitudes and increased acceptance of racial equality gradually opened more opportunities for African American candidates to be elected
The Rise of Black Conservatism
Emergence of Black conservatism
- Disillusionment with liberal policies, perceiving failures in welfare programs and affirmative action, led some to embrace self-reliance and
- Emphasis on traditional values, such as family stability, religion, and education, while rejecting perceived moral decay in society
- Economic conservatism, supporting free-market capitalism and limited government intervention, believing in the power of entrepreneurship and business ownership
- Prominent Black conservative figures emerged, including economist , Supreme Court Justice , and political activist
Impact of Black conservatism
- Increased diversity of thought within the African American community, challenging the notion of a monolithic political identity and sparking debates on addressing racial inequalities
- Influenced efforts to attract African American voters and candidates, including Black conservatives in party leadership and policy discussions
- Faced criticism from liberal African American leaders, accused of betraying the civil rights movement's legacy and disagreeing on strategies for achieving racial equality
- Shifted policy priorities to place greater emphasis on and self-determination while reducing focus on affirmative action and race-based policies
Key Terms to Review (18)
Affordable Care Act: The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is a comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010 aimed at expanding access to health insurance, reducing health care costs, and improving the quality of care. The ACA is significant for its role in increasing health coverage among African Americans and highlighting debates around health care access within the political landscape, including the rise of Black conservatism.
Alan Keyes: Alan Keyes is a prominent African American political activist, diplomat, and conservative commentator known for his strong advocacy of traditional conservative values. His rise in political prominence occurred during the late 20th century, particularly in the 1990s, when he became a significant figure within the Republican Party and gained attention for his outspoken views on social and cultural issues, emphasizing personal responsibility, limited government, and moral clarity.
Barack Obama: Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States and the first African American to hold the office, serving two terms from 2009 to 2017. His election marked a significant milestone in American history, reflecting the political gains made by African Americans and also raising discussions about Black conservatism in the political landscape.
Black conservatism: Black conservatism is a political and social ideology among African Americans that emphasizes individual responsibility, free-market principles, and traditional values while often advocating for limited government intervention in personal and economic affairs. This ideology arose during a time when African Americans were gaining political power and sought to address issues within the community through a different lens than mainstream liberal approaches.
Carol Moseley Braun: Carol Moseley Braun is a prominent American politician and attorney who made history as the first African American woman elected to the United States Senate, serving from 1993 to 1999. Her election represented a significant political gain for African Americans and showcased the increasing involvement of Black leaders in national politics, reflecting broader shifts in political power dynamics during the late 20th century.
Clarence Thomas: Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, known for his conservative judicial philosophy and significant influence on American law. Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, he is the second African American to serve on the Court, and his tenure has sparked ongoing discussions about race, conservatism, and the role of the judiciary in American politics.
Douglas Wilder: Douglas Wilder is a significant figure in American politics, known for being the first African American elected as a governor in the United States when he took office in Virginia in 1990. His election symbolized a pivotal moment in African American political gains, representing both progress and the emergence of Black conservatism during a time when many African Americans were pursuing leadership roles within the political landscape.
Economic conservatism: Economic conservatism refers to a political and economic philosophy that emphasizes limited government intervention in the economy, individual financial responsibility, and free-market principles. This ideology often advocates for lower taxes, reduced government spending, and deregulation as a means to stimulate economic growth and promote personal initiative. In the context of African American political gains and the rise of Black conservatism, economic conservatism has played a significant role in shaping policies and beliefs that resonate with some African American leaders and communities.
Economic empowerment: Economic empowerment refers to the process of enabling individuals or groups to achieve financial independence and control over their economic resources, leading to improved living conditions and greater participation in society. This concept is crucial for marginalized communities, as it promotes self-sufficiency, social mobility, and the ability to influence political and economic decisions. In the context of African American history, economic empowerment has played a significant role in political gains and the rise of Black conservatism, as financial stability allows for increased political engagement and the formation of conservative ideologies focused on self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Jesse Jackson: Jesse Jackson is an influential African American civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and politician known for his work in advocating for social justice, economic equality, and political representation for African Americans. His prominence grew during the late 20th century as he founded the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, signaling a shift towards increased political engagement within the Black community.
Majority-minority districts: Majority-minority districts are electoral districts where the majority of the constituents belong to racial or ethnic minority groups. This concept emerged as a strategy to ensure that minority populations have a fair representation in legislative bodies, particularly in areas where they have historically been underrepresented. The creation of these districts often involves redistricting processes aimed at enhancing political power for minority voters and addressing systemic inequities in the political landscape.
Personal responsibility: Personal responsibility refers to the idea that individuals have a duty to take accountability for their actions, choices, and well-being. This concept emphasizes self-reliance and the belief that one's success or failure is largely determined by their own efforts, which can often intersect with broader social and political contexts, particularly as seen in the discussion around African American political gains and the rise of Black conservatism.
Political activism: Political activism refers to the efforts and actions taken by individuals or groups to influence political decisions, policies, and social issues. This can include various forms of advocacy, protests, voting campaigns, and grassroots organizing aimed at creating change within political systems. It is often driven by a desire for social justice, equality, and the protection of rights.
Republican Party Outreach: Republican Party outreach refers to the strategies and efforts employed by the Republican Party to connect with and engage diverse communities, particularly African Americans, in order to broaden their political base and influence. This outreach became increasingly significant in the context of shifting political dynamics and the rise of Black conservatism, aiming to attract voters through policies that align with conservative values while addressing issues relevant to the African American community.
Self-reliance: Self-reliance is the ability to depend on oneself and make independent decisions without relying on external support or validation. This concept is central to various movements advocating for empowerment, personal responsibility, and community development, especially in the context of social and political advancement.
Thomas Sowell: Thomas Sowell is an influential African American economist, political commentator, and author known for his conservative views on economic and social issues. He has gained recognition for his critiques of government policies and his emphasis on individual responsibility and free-market principles. Sowell's work often highlights the importance of education, culture, and economics in understanding the African American experience, making him a significant figure in discussions about Black conservatism and political gains within the African American community.
Traditional values: Traditional values refer to the long-standing beliefs, customs, and practices that are often associated with a specific culture or community, emphasizing family, religion, and community responsibility. In the context of African American political gains and the rise of Black conservatism, these values are seen as foundational principles that guide behavior and influence social policies. They play a significant role in shaping political ideologies and priorities within the African American community, particularly among those advocating for a conservative approach to governance and societal issues.
Voting Rights Act: The Voting Rights Act is a landmark piece of federal legislation enacted in 1965 aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting. It was designed to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, addressing the systemic disenfranchisement of African Americans, particularly in the South. The act outlawed literacy tests and other discriminatory practices, providing federal oversight of voter registration and election procedures in areas with a history of voting discrimination.