Public Policy Research



New Coalition Introduces Students to Black Conservatism


Written By: Erica Lieberman
Published In: New Coalition News & Views
Publication Date: April 1, 2005
Publisher: The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change

On March 3, New Coalition President Lee Walker hosted Professor Salim Muwakkil and 11 college students for a two-hour seminar as part of their Urban Studies course. The students attend various universities throughout the Midwest but come together in Chicago for Professor Muwakkil’s classes. The group took a brief tour of the offices shared by The New Coalition and The Heartland Institute before gathering around the conference room table.

Professor Muwakkil started off the evening with the statement, “The notion of conservatism is much more complicated than what you hear in the media. It goes back culturally hundreds of years.” Walker outlined the agenda for the evening, stating he would discuss the meaning and ideology of black conservatism, among other topics.

Walker introduced Heartland President Joseph Bast and Vice President Sean Parnell. Bast acquainted the students with The Heartland Institute and its history. He noted, “Conservatives have a difficult time reaching black and Hispanic audiences; this is where Lee Walker and The New Coalition come in.”

Parnell addressed the group on the differences between conservatism and libertarianism. He discussed concepts of liberty and free-market economy and summarized that ultimately, social issues are where the “split” between the two groups occurs.


Conservatism Is Not Politics

Walker opened his part of the program by saying black conservatism has nothing to do with political affiliation. He introduced some of the major black conservative thinkers of the past, including Booker T. Washington, Zora Neal Hurston, George S. Schuyler, and W.E.B. DuBois. He discussed some of the ideas that made them so important to the ongoing history of black conservatism, such as Hurston’s questioning of the Brown v. Board of Education decision and Schuyler’s theory that “The American Negro is the outstanding example of an American conservative.”

While pointing out the differences between black conservatism and white conservatism, Walker compared the two to white and black churches; while the services and beliefs may differ, members of each church can coexist peacefully. He explained that while white conservatism is based on political affiliation and a theory of limited government, black conservatism is based more on religion, philosophy, principles, tradition, and class. Walker expressed his belief that the oldest conservative institution in black culture is the church.

Walker discussed several related issues, including Bill Cosby and the media attention he has attracted recently; the importance of education, and how poorly the U.S. educates black and other minority students; and poverty in America versus poverty in other countries. He answered several questions from the group on topics ranging from President George W. Bush and current politics, religious and racial persecution, and even terrorism.

The final question was related to economist Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” theory. Smith contended that if each and every person looks out for his or her own best interest, acting morally and decently, the public as a whole will benefit. The student wondered whose responsibility it is to decide what is best for each person. Walker’s response could not have been a more appropriate close to the session. He stated, “Sometimes, there are no answers.”

Erica Lieberman (erica@heartland.org) is assistant public affairs director for The Heartland Institute.