Blacks Voting Republican

I am not going to say that some of my best friends are Black, but I will say that I attended an HBC, and I taught at a school that was 95% Black. For these reasons, I had the opportunity to talk politics with many Black people. I certainly am not claiming to be an expert on African-American voting habits, but this is what I learned.

When Bush was running for his second term, I was amazed to discover how many Black teachers were voting for him. Why? Only one reason given: abortion.

The people I talked with were devout Christians who attended church regularly, and they decided, through the guidance of their churches, that abortion should not be legal. They believed in the life at conception; therefore, to them, abortion was ending a life.

One teacher was wary of Bush and even said: "I sure hope he surrounds himself with intelligent advisers, because he is not very bright." But, she intended to vote for him anyway.

These voters were voting for a party that didn't even want them to be part of it. They were voting with Red states where the Confederacy is celebrated and the Confederate flag is still displayed.

Abortion is a medical issue and has no place in politics. But, there it is. Health Care Reform was delayed because of it. When all else seems to be failing for Republicans, the abortion card is thrown out on the table. Shouting, "Baby-killer" will get the anti-abortion people to grab their Bibles & their pitchforks and right-wing politicians know it.

But just as Cheney supports Gays, because his daughter is Gay, I all ways wonder how many of these Right Wingers would support an abortion for their daughter were she to become pregnant by an African-American. Yea, I said it, and I hope that Black voters, who vote on this one issue, will think about it too.

Elementary Politics 101

As a little girl, I remember asking my Ma what we were. Were we Republican or Democrat? She said that Republicans represented big businesses & wealthy people & that Democrats were the party of the working class. I knew which one we were then. My Grandpa worked for years in the meat-packing business in freezers--12 hours--everyday. When I knew him, he walked with a cane and a painful limp, which everyone said was due to his job.

One Primary Day, she told me that she never voted in primaries because she did not want to declare her party. We lived in a Republican town, and my family had a little grocery store. She explained that she feared the town would not pick up the trash, which could be a big problem with the store.

I remember liking that we were undercover.

Why was our town Republican? It was in Cook County on the boarder of Chicago, which was traditionally a Democratic stronghold.

One logical reason would be that lots of factories were there including a huge Western Electric, Sunbeam & Burlington Trains.

But the reason I heard from friend's parents is because the "Republicans will keep Blacks out."
Except, they didn't say "Black." The neighborhood's residents were all from the Old County, as they called it. I was second generation born here. They did not know any Africans in Europe, and they truly feared them. They also heard and perpetuated the stereotypes of the day about Blacks.

We didn't use the N-word at my house. When neighbors or playmates used the word, I was uncomfortable.

How to pick sides for street games: Eeny, Meanie, Minie, Moe, Catch a N----by the toe, if he hollers let him go, Eenie, Meanie, Minie, Moe.

I vaguely remember the precinct captain coming by to talk to my parents about my older brother. He had some great summer job for him.

My uncle was a precinct captain & my aunt worked the polls every year in Chicago, and they were greatly respected.

Before I was 10, this is what I learned:

Republicans-party of business
Democrats-party of working class
Politics was a tough game -go with the status quo
or City Hall might lose that license you've been waiting for
Some voters are racists which overrides any other issues
Racists in my neighborhood, were also devout Catholics. Hypocrisy in religion.
If your family needed something, the politicians could help you.
Politics were important in my family; my grandparents came at the turn of the century, fleeing Communism, and voting was a cherished right.
Republicans did not like Black people

Ha, how little things have changed in politics since I was a little girl.

Concerned About Keeping Maryland Blue

I am such a dork; I couldn't remember my password & I couldn't get on here for weeks. So many issues have come & gone, and damn-it, I couldn't write a blog.


Back to topic: I have a concern about O'Malley, and I wonder if he is aware of this underground discontent with his budget. State employees are upset because he initiated mandatory unpaid leave days. In fairness, O'Malley did say he would also have his salary docked. This condescending gesture didn't do much to make it easier for state employees who fall behind in their work and lose money.

According to Forbes, Maryland has 4 of the wealthiest counties in the USA. That's not bad for such a little unassuming state. That should also mean that some nice taxes are collected.

Whiners? OK some states have it worse, like California. Their problems are appreciated, but I don't live there or pay taxes there.

According to a census, there were 81,044 full time employees in 2008. I don't know if all state employees are subject to the unpaid leave, but I do know that agencies like Juvenile Services has been affected. It performs a state service that is vital. Do we want to become some sort of third world country with street urchins roaming the state?

My hope right now is that the Democrats realize that using state employees to balance the budget is a bad idea. My concern is that the Democrats will lose votes because of this issue. Maryland's Democratic leaders must have a better idea, soon.