[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by enigma_AKA
Sistermadly, I see where you're coming from.

Hallelujah! Someone understands me!

I guess my issue is trying to figure out whether or not the finger is being pointed at more vocal conservatives, labeling them 'poster children' in the sake of just not being in agreeance with their ideas.

When I use the term "poster children", I mean the person who can only tow the party line without conveying any understanding of political or personal nuances. I suppose I could also say that this applies to anyone who slavishly tows the party line -- any party line -- and who never diverts from the party's approved talking points.

I know that's not what you are arguing, but it's been my observation that no one ever points the finger at knee-jerking liberals who rant about the government's responsiblity to the people, the right of every private citizen to his own privacy, etc. Why is that?

People do - just listen to Ann Coulter, or heck, listen to mainstream talk radio. In the past, most black pundits and political figures were careful not to criticize the left because the left was responsible for many of the social/civil rights advances that occurred during the last 50 years or so. I also think that Blacks have been silent on this issue because it's only now that people are waking up to the fact that a lot of these well-intentioned liberal policies are actually responsible for the state many of our communities are in. We've had a couple of generations of hindsight now, and it's only now that Black critics are starting to point fingers and investigate alternatives.

NB: When a Black conservative (in particular) voices his own take on how the country should be ran--however extreme that might be--he is then 'paid to say that', 'he is a ploy of the Republican party', etc, etc. In some cases he might be considered a 'sellout' and/or 'out of touch'. Why is this?

For the same reason people say being educated is "being white". Fear of losing black credibility, fear of stepping outside of cultural/community expectations, fear of being a trailblazer who has to do all of the work to bring people over to that way of thinking. I don't think that Black conservatives are paid to say what they've said -- okay, Armstrong Williams maybe, but not anyone else.

(I've got lots to say on the whole Christian country thing, but I don't want to hijack the thread.)

Is it the historical factors you have a problem (re: Southern Strategy) with or the party itself?

Both. The historical factors inform the current party platform and policies.