by NO Author Name

Created on: April 22, 2008

There are fundamental reasons why the African American community has for years, been on the side of the left when it comes to voting in presidential elections. There are things ingrained in many African Americans that are passed down from generation to generation. Many of my white friends often point to the fact that it was Lincoln, a Republican who freed the slaves. That Republican Party that Lincoln served is not the party that is represented today. It started after Lincolns passing, when both parties failed and let white supremacy be implemented with the Jim Crow laws that stood for nearly one hundred years after that point.

The Jim Crow Laws had drastic effects on the former slaves of the time. There were no real safety nets for any members of society let alone the African-Americans. Not until The New Deal Coalition in the thirties, did African Americans receive some relief economically. The party that instituted The New Deal was The Democratic Party. Since the inception of the relief in the thirties, African Americans have held a sentimental favor for the Democratic Party. There are some widely recognized opinions of why African Americans vote almost Monolithic for Democrats.

The first reason is the stance of the Republican Party during the Civil Rights Movement. The GOP will have a hard time for years to come courting their black constituents because of their stance during Civil Rights. The GOP's elected officials were the opposition during this period. This opposition to equality will stay with many African Americans for many years. The African community has still not forgiven the party for this stance as you might expect.

The second is the Stance of The GOP during Martin Luther King's assassination and the votes that went against him having a national holiday. Recently John McCain publicly apologized for voting against Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Kings national holiday. This sadly was a trend followed by many GOP legislatures of the time. This wound is almost insurmountable because of Dr. King's relevance in African American culture and America's history. For many, Dr. King was there lone role model and the GOP didn't even support him.

Lastly the strong religious and political relationship that the black church has with its followers has kept many blacks believing that "thou shall take care of thy brother." So when one sees his economic interest above those of his brother and does not seek to lend a hand, one is seen as "Sell Out." The term "Sell Out" in the African American community is saved for those African Americans that leave their neighborhoods while also changing their political agenda from community to self-interest. When black people think of blacks that vote Republican they sometimes unfairly characterize them as "Sell Outs."

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