8.3 African American political gains and the rise of Black conservatism

African Americans made significant political gains after the Civil Rights Movement. Key figures like Shirley Chisholm and Barack Obama broke barriers, while factors like the Voting Rights Act increased representation. These advancements reshaped the political landscape.

Simultaneously, Black conservatism emerged, challenging traditional liberal approaches. This movement emphasized self-reliance, traditional values, and economic conservatism. It diversified African American political thought and influenced Republican outreach efforts, sparking debates on addressing racial inequalities.

African American Political Gains Post-Civil Rights

Key African American political figures

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• Shirley Chisholm broke barriers as the first Black woman elected to Congress (1968) and ran as the first Black major-party candidate for President of the United States (1972)
• Jesse Jackson, an influential civil rights activist and politician, ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, raising the profile of African American issues
• Douglas Wilder made history as the first elected African American governor in U.S. history, serving as the Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994
• Carol Moseley Braun shattered the glass ceiling as the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, representing Illinois
• Barack Obama became the first African American President of the United States (2008-2016) and passed the Affordable Care Act, providing healthcare coverage to millions of Americans

Factors for increased political representation

• Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminated barriers to voting (literacy tests, poll taxes), leading to increased African American voter registration and participation
• Redistricting and the creation of majority-minority districts enabled the election of more African American representatives by concentrating minority voters
• Increased political activism and organization, with the growth of African American advocacy groups, mobilized voters and supported candidates
• Changing attitudes and increased acceptance of racial equality gradually opened more opportunities for African American candidates to be elected

The Rise of Black Conservatism

Emergence of Black conservatism

• Disillusionment with liberal policies, perceiving failures in welfare programs and affirmative action, led some to embrace self-reliance and personal responsibility
• Emphasis on traditional values, such as family stability, religion, and education, while rejecting perceived moral decay in society
• Economic conservatism, supporting free-market capitalism and limited government intervention, believing in the power of entrepreneurship and business ownership
• Prominent Black conservative figures emerged, including economist Thomas Sowell, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and political activist Alan Keyes

Impact of Black conservatism

• Increased diversity of thought within the African American community, challenging the notion of a monolithic political identity and sparking debates on addressing racial inequalities
• Influenced Republican Party outreach efforts to attract African American voters and candidates, including Black conservatives in party leadership and policy discussions
• Faced criticism from liberal African American leaders, accused of betraying the civil rights movement's legacy and disagreeing on strategies for achieving racial equality
• Shifted policy priorities to place greater emphasis on economic empowerment and self-determination while reducing focus on affirmative action and race-based policies