Research shows that Black conservatism relates more to traditional middle class values and morality than to
any political affiliation.
Black conservatism is best understood as a state of
mind and a type of character - a way of looking at the social order.
It is not membership in a club or political party.
Nor is it an ideology. It is, instead set of traditional principles and a
philosophy centered on freedom and virtue.
I accept the view that conservatism is best used as
an adjective and not a noun.
Black conservatives just want to preserve the best of the past and make improvements. The word conservative, simply defined, is favoring traditional views or values. Black conservatives do not contemplate radical change unless the times demand it. And, if so will strongly pursue it.
Black conservatives just want to preserve the best of the past and make improvements. The word conservative, simply defined, is favoring traditional views or values. Black conservatives do not contemplate radical change unless the times demand it. And, if so will strongly pursue it.
Over a century ago Booker T. Washington described
conservatism as follows: “The Negro should acquire property , own his own land,
drive his old mule hitched to his own wagon, milk his own cow, raise his own
crop and keep out of debt, and when he acquired a home became fit for a
conservative citizen.”
Now consider the Nguzo Saba – The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
Ujima. Unity. To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, race
Kujichagulia,
Self-Determination. To define ourselves, name ourselves,
create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
Ujima,
Collective Work and Responsibility. To build and maintain
our community together and make our brothers and sisters problems ours and to
solve them together.
Ujimaa,
Cooperative Economics -To build and maintain our own stores, shops,
and other businesses, and to profit from them together.
Nia,
Purpose,To make our own collective vocation the building and developing of our community
in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness .
Kuumba,
Creativity. To do always as much as we can, in the
way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial then
when we inherited it.
Imani,
Faith . To believe in all our heart in our people, our
parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness victory of our
struggle.
These set of principles represent a state of mind
emphasizing traditional principles and a philosophy centered on freedom and
virtue as earlier stated.
Black people should acquire property, own their own homes, build and maintain their own stores,
shops, and other businesses, and most of all, strive to maintain unity in the family, community,
nation, and race. Is this unlike what Booker T. Washington would have stated in
today’s terms? And, are these traditional, and conservative, views and values?
Now let’s consider the Seven Principles of Ma’at
Ma’at is an
ancient system of morals and values that guided thoughts and behavior in KEMET
(Egypt). It is also found in many other cultures in Africa. In that
conservatism is a philosophy centered upon freedom and virtue, consider that
virtue itself is moral excellence, righteousness, and goodness.
Following
is the Seven Principles of Ma’at :
Truth: based in fact with honesty and integrity
Justice:
a state of fairness and lawful judgment
Righteousness:
a state of consistent good conduct
Reciprocity:
what goes around comes around
Balance:
an equal distribution of weight
Order:
the correct sequence of thought and action
Harmony:
one accord; a pleasing arrangement
The world is equally divided between good and evil.
Your next act will tilt the scale. (African proverb)
Both the Seven Principles of the Nguzo Saba and Ma’at offer a solid foundation for personal, family, and for both societal development and preservation.
I find it puzzling
that none of the Black conservatives who appear on various shows on the Fox
News channels ever refer to Africa, the country of their ancestors, in any
context.
While they probably think that their African ancestry and these
Principles are unimportant, the average white person don’t have any problems
referring to their Jewish, Italian, British, or Greek ancestry.
According to a recent
United Nations report, just one country in African, Nigeria, about the size of
Texas, is expected to have a population of over 300 million by the year
2050. That's more than the entire population of the United States.
And, that by the end
of this century 40% of the world's population will be African. Many notable
U.S. businesses are locating branches in different African countries because of
the obvious potential there. China has certainly taken notice.
What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below.