Maybe it’s time for Black people to prioritize policy over party. I know for many, this might sound radical, even wild. But for decades, we’ve aligned with the Democratic Party, and the results in our communities haven’t improved. If we’re honest, they’ve gotten worse—a point I think we can all agree on. Economic development has stalled, our schools are failing, and the family structure is crumbling.
What if we revisited the concept of Black conservatism? Its history often needs to be understood. Black conservatism isn’t about unquestioning loyalty to a political party or ignoring the struggles of our community. Instead, it’s a philosophy of empowerment—a practical approach to tackling the deep-seated issues that have plagued our neighborhoods for far too long.
This is what Black conservatism means: it means understanding that safety and prosperity in our communities can’t wait for political promises. It means recognizing that we have the power and responsibility to create change ourselves. When our ancestors built thriving communities like Black Wall Street, they didn’t wait for permission or assistance—they took action based on principles that still hold today.
At its core, Black conservatism is about reclaiming our future, fostering self-reliance, and building safe, thriving communities for the next generation. It’s about embracing the mindset that we can create progress by relying on our values, work ethic, and resilience. It’s time to take control of our destiny and build the kind of communities our ancestors dreamed of and fought for
The story of Black conservatism begins in the aftermath of the Civil War. Freedmen who sought to rebuild their lives aligned with the Republican Party—the party of Lincoln—championing abolition, civil rights, and Reconstruction. Leaders like Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington personified this era, urging self-reliance, education, and economic empowerment as the path to equality.
Yet, by the mid-20th century, the tectonic plates of American politics shifted. The Great Depression, the New Deal, and the Civil Rights Era drew Black Americans into the Democratic fold. The Republican Party’s pivot toward a “Southern Strategy” further alienated Black voters, leading to the marginalization of Black conservatives.
But while their voices became quieter, they never disappeared. Zora Neale Hurston, Thomas Sowell, and Shelby Steele continued championing conservative principles, often at personal and professional cost. In the 21st century, their ideological descendants are stepping boldly back into the public square.
Self-reliance is pivotal in community development, empowering individuals to harness their resources and talents to meet their needs. This approach strengthens the community’s resilience and instills a profound sense of pride and ownership in its success, making us feel confident and capable.
Black conservatism is about self-determination. It’s about asserting that we won’t wait for others to fix our schools, make our streets safe, or create opportunities for our children. It’s about embracing the legacy of leaders like Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass, who understood that economic independence and education were the keys to true freedom. It’s about feeling empowered and in charge of our destiny.
The resurgence of Black conservatism is not just about party politics; it represents the revival of a philosophy that embraces and celebrates the diversity of thought within the Black community. The idea that a single political ideology can capture millions of individuals’ hopes, dreams, and aspirations is not only reductive but also dismissive of our complexity and agency. Black conservatives are reclaiming their voice and seat at the table, demanding that the community’s intellectual and ideological diversity be acknowledged and respected.
As the saying goes, doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Despite being the most educated Black population on the planet, we continue to cling to a political philosophy that has left our communities in worse condition. This failure is evidenced by broken schools, stalled economic development, and disintegrating family structures. It’s time to ask whether loyalty to the same old ideas genuinely serves us. Yes, continuing down this path without change is nothing short of insane.
Critics often accuse Black conservatives of being disconnected from racial realities, labeling them as “sellouts” or “tokens.” Such attacks, however, ignore the deep historical roots and intellectual rigor of Black conservatism. The movement is not a rejection of Black identity but an affirmation that Black Americans can hold diverse views while remaining committed to improving their community.
The practical application of Black conservative principles starts with economic power. We believe in building and supporting Black businesses, creating banks and investment groups, and developing economic networks that keep resources circulating within our communities. When we control our financial resources, we can fund our solutions and create opportunities for our youth.
Black Americans possess staggering economic power – nearly $800 billion in annual spending power that could transform our communities overnight if properly channeled. This stark contradiction isn’t about a lack of resources; it’s about how we think about and use our collective wealth. We can transform our neighborhoods, fund our schools, support our businesses, and create opportunities.
Our political mindset has trained us to look for solutions while our dollars flow outward to build other communities’ wealth. We’ve been conditioned to think of ourselves as economically powerless while wielding enough purchasing power to rank as one of the world’s largest economies if we were a separate nation. The reality is simple but profound: our communities aren’t poor because we lack resources – they’re poor because our political thinking has led us to invest our vast resources everywhere except in ourselves. We can transform our neighborhoods, fund our schools, support our businesses, and create opportunities. We needn’t more money or government programs; we need a fundamental shift in how we think about and deploy our existing economic power
Educational control stands as another crucial pillar. We demand school choice and support in creating our academic institutions. We know that failing schools are a pipeline to poverty and crime, and we won’t accept that for our children. Black conservatives believe parents should be able to choose the best educational opportunities for their children.
Strong families are the bedrock of our vision. We understand that stable families create stable communities. This means supporting parents, providing mentorship, and strengthening the family structures that have historically been our community’s foundation. It means creating environments where our children can grow up safe, supported, and prepared for success, making us feel secure and supported.
Black conservatism challenges us to question policies that keep our communities dependent. It pushes us to embrace solutions that work, regardless of their political source. It demands that we take responsibility for our community’s future and build our institutions rather than relying on external systems. Above all, it insists that we focus on results rather than rhetoric.
This isn’t about abandoning the fight for justice but approaching it from a position of strength. Black conservatives understand that true power comes from economic independence, educational excellence, strong family structures, robust community institutions, and local control of resources and decisions.
Our community institutions – churches, community organizations, and local establishments – hold immense power to solve problems and support families. These institutions have historically been the backbone of Black progress, providing everything from education to economic support. Black conservatism recognizes and builds upon this strength.
It believes deeply in local solutions. The people closest to the problems are closest to the solutions. This means taking direct action to improve community safety rather than just relying on law enforcement. It means creating local economic opportunities that make crime less attractive. It means building support networks for families and youth and developing our financial institutions.
.Black conservatism challenges us to question policies that keep our communities dependent. It pushes us to embrace solutions that work, regardless of their political source. It demands that we take responsibility for our community’s future and build our institutions rather than relying on external systems. Above all, it insists that we focus on results rather than rhetoric.
The resurgence of Black conservatism offers a fresh lens to address the persistent challenges Black communities face in America. While often misunderstood as mere allegiance to a political party, Black conservatism is deeply rooted in principles of self-reliance, economic empowerment, and community-led solutions. Historical examples like Black Wall Street in Tulsa and the Hayti community in Durham demonstrate the transformative power of these values, as they fostered thriving neighborhoods built on entrepreneurship, strong family structures, and education. These communities didn’t wait for external assistance or political promises; they took control of their destinies, embodying the core ideals of Black conservatism.
This philosophy challenges the status quo and calls for a shift from political loyalty to prioritizing policies that directly benefit Black neighborhoods. As the most educated Black population globally, it’s time to rethink traditional strategies and embrace a mindset that champions action and accountability. Black conservatism doesn’t ignore systemic struggles; it empowers individuals and communities to create change from within. By revisiting these principles, Black Americans can reclaim their legacy of resilience, foster prosperity, and build safer, stronger communities for generations to come.
We must now ask ourselves this: Is it time for Black Americans to revisit the principles of conservatism that once empowered our communities to thrive, or will we continue down the same path, aligning with policies that have failed to deliver meaningful change? History has shown us the power of self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and strong community values—principles that formed the foundation of prosperous Black communities like Black Wall Street and Hayti. If we continue doing the same things while expecting different results, we choose a cycle of stagnation and frustration. The time has come to reflect honestly on what truly serves our communities. Will we rise to the challenge of reclaiming our legacy and building a future rooted in action and accountability, or will we keep complaining while leaving our destiny in someone else’s hands? The choice is ours to make.
