PODCAST: Code Switch (The Black Table In The Big Tent)

**Disclaimer**

The Black Voting Bloc in America is Diverse and represents millions of people and ideas. This podcast speaks about that in a way that's refreshing and engaging and doesn't come off as pretentious and elitist like so many conversations I hear from people about "Black Voters". I hope you enjoy my exploration of this episode.

This episode talks about an interesting phenomenon: black republicans. It starts this conversation by talking about the story of Eric and Kara Johnson. Eric is a democratic lobbyist, while Kara is a Republican. Eric tells stories of how he would joke to friends about her being Republican. I love the use of their relationship because it shows how Black republicans arrive at conservatism in a very different way to white republicans. For example, Kara mentions "The Government can't fix social problems". It's her belief that the government is racist and should be reduced and thus she votes Republican. Listening to their relationship sets up this conversation about Black republicans and their rarity in American politics. The show divides the group into two race-blind Black republicans to race-conscious republicans. These two groups are quite different in how they arrive at their conservatism, and it's clear that one man makes them draw the line and that is Donald Trump. There are many lessons to learn about the political system and how identity factors into our beliefs.

Lessons learned:

1. Difference between Black conservatives vs. Black Republicans:

This is something I wasn't fully aware of in the political system. There are many Black conservatives. But a Black republican is a rarity in a party that is alabaster white. Black conservatives may vote for Democrats on the whole, while black Republicans mean they accept the party as a whole which is a much greater statement.

2. Covert racism vs. Non-convert racism

There's a point where Kara explains how she prefers the covert racism. This is a true aspect of the parties. Democrats aren't fully non-racist and that's something that forgotten. Redlining in American cities was created by Democrats. It's this history that important to recognize.

3. Trump is a Red Line

There's a point they are talking to the author Cory fields who wrote a book about Black republicans and he reached out to many he talked to when writing the book and for many Trump represented a red line. Many did not support him and showed there was a point the party had gone too far. This part because emphasizes how much Trump changes the organization of the system.

4. Candace Owens

Really have to read up on her more wow.

5. The Democratic Party and Black Americans

Watch this Blackish scene to see an example of how deeply important Black America is to the democratic party. The black bloc as a whole votes pretty tightly as a group and that's remarkable compared to other identity groups. They also talk about a study in which the asking black people about their political leanings and depending on the interviewer they had differing responses. It's not to say they vote blindly, but rather strategically to use their numbers in power. This quote says it all for me: "Deflection is a matter of life or death". People tend to belong in a party that matches those around them. Humans are social animals!

6. Mia Love

Wow, so amazed by her story and how she arrived to the Republican party. A crazy story! Here's a quote - "She went from wanting to dismantle the CBC (Congressional Black Congress), to creating a strong relationship with them". Her flip demonstrates the tension between being POC and Republican. Her interactions with Trump are key to this.

Quotes:

"Human are social animals" - Explaining why Black voters work very much as a community

"You've got to go to a place where they may not want you." - Speaking about Republicans should reach out to minorities

"Less government better for me" - from Mia Love, a black republican congresswoman

"I prefer my racism overt" - from Kara Johnson

"Hold everyone accountable. I can guarantee I've been a Republican longer than the President" - Mia Love