Frequently Asked Questions

 Q:   

What Is Black Conservatism?

 A: Respected and well-informed nonwhite spokespersons are increasingly taking up the challenge of bringing conservative and libertarian ideas to nonwhite audiences and bringing their own multicultural perspective to what has been a largely white social and political movement. These spokespersons include Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas, Herman Cain, and others.

Conservative ideas are seldom embraced and advocated by nonwhites for the same reasons as motivate white conservatives and libertarians. Consequently, the multicultural perspective on economic and social policy is different from the white perspective, even if it endorses similar public policies.

Lee Walker, in a recently published book on black conservatives, wrote: “The word [conservative] is best used as an adjective, not a noun, for it seems to me that conservatism is best understood as a state of mind and type of character, a way of looking at the social order.” Peter Eisenstadt, in his introduction to a book on black conservatism, makes a similar observation:

Rather than isolating black conservatism as a distinct and separate category, this volume tries to show the importance of conservative ideas within the diversity of opinion that has always been characteristic of African-American thought.

Conservative multiculturalism holds the truths of the Declaration of Independence apply to Americans regardless of the color of their skin or their ethnic background. But our message reflects our special concerns for economic independence and strong families, good character, our people’s struggle for civil and economic freedoms, and a keen awareness of the barriers that still stand between us and our success.

Proponents of conservative multiculturalism believe:

• Racism in all its forms must be confronted vigorously, but its reality must not be used to excuse unacceptable behavior.

• Strong, intact families must be recognized as the most important element in building healthy and thriving communities.

• Individual responsibility and mutual accountability are the keys to personal success as well as community and spiritual success.

• Government’s duty is to protect civil and economic liberties and remove barriers to social and economic mobility, not to compel integration or otherwise impose on people some elite’s vision of how people should live together.

• Free markets and private enterprise are the surest and necessary route to better living standards for all groups, regardless of race or color.

• Politics is a less reliable route for success, since “majority rules” sacrifices the interests of minorities to majorities, and the instruments of government often fall under the control of the best organized interest groups, which tend not to include people of color.

Conservative multiculturalism contains messages that resonate with large majorities of nonwhites and whites alike. It does not deny the history or reality of racism, yet it rises above the class warfare rhetoric and victimology of many liberal nonwhite spokespersons. It offers solutions, not just criticism, to people who are trying to climb society’s ladder to personal and economic success. It has deep roots in the black intellectual tradition.

While much more work needs to be done to spell out and then popularize conservative multiculturalism, it is already sufficiently conceived to serve as the content of an aggressive and long-overdue educational campaign. While many organizations must participate in this effort, one organization in particular has made it the central element of its existence: The New Coalition for Economic and Social Change.