[The Cushite]

During the panel, Bro. Phillips noted that he suspects that about 90% of Black america is conservative, but only10% will claim republican party affiliation. While I don't think that 90% of our community is conservative politically, I do think that the majority of us (myself included) hold to traditional values of faith, family, and personal responsibility. Now, these things don't translate to republican politics because I, like most black people, realize that the possibility of having a better life isn't solely left up to personal choice. In order to have "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", we have to have our "natural right" to choose, pursue and possess these things protected. These are the things that Dr. King, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Malcolm X, and other revolutionaries were fighting for. This is what just government is all about. Now, A facsist reading of this says that we as individuals have to protect these things (might makes right). But a radical democracy says that governments are instituted by men to protects these rights. That is the idea put forth in the Declaration of Independence. This is also what Bro. Philips calls the traditional values of America.

Now, if we do an honest assessment of the history of America, we will see that the government has done a poor job of protecting the natural rights of minorities. I see this as the main source of inequality in America, therfore there must be a reform of the social order through direct redress by the American government in order for the government to begin to adequately protect the rights of blacks. This is where I disagree with conservatives. They don't think that inequality exists today because of historic and systemic causes. Therefore, inequality is the result of moral inadequacies of disadvantaged people. Government shouldn't do anything but reward people for being good capitalists (tax cuts and market driven policies). Sort of trickle down theory of government and morality.

Blackwatch!!!!!!