West goes north, but the shouting lingers on

February 11, 2012|Douglas C. Lyons, Sun Sentinel Senior Editorial Writer

Allen West is heading north.

The GOP firebrand's decision to seek re-election in a more favorable congressional district now held by fellow Republican Tom Rooney has been called a "cowardly act" by some of West's many detractors. The description misses the point.

"Opportunistic" is more accurate.

Like it or not, West is a politician, and what politican wouldn't seek solace in a safe district? So, the man who built his reputation by berating liberals, the media and Debbie Wasserman Schultz is moving out. Barring an unexpected revolt from residents in the newly drawn district who might see the Plantation Republican as a carpetbagger West should have little trouble getting elected from his new district.

Yet, by becoming a Palm Beach Gardens-Republican or a Port St. Lucie-Republican, West may gain some credibility in a battle within the black community over the notion of black conservatism, a political philosophy not always appreciated by many African Americans.

Last month, West and fellow black conservatives met in Washington, D.C. and tried to break down the "misconceptions" confronting them. Black conservatives, they said, are more common than people think. They have valid solutions to the nation's problems. More importantly, they insist blacks who think like them shouldn't be ashamed of speaking out.

"We can't have this fear of standing up and saying who we are," West said. "We shout at football games. We shout at church. We should be shouting about the principles that make us who we are."

Problem is, most black folk aren't listening to what West and company have to say. They have to grapple with a different set of realities and guiding principles. Let's start with self-interest.

African Americans, like any other group of hyphenated American citizens, want the best for themselves and their loved ones. Safe streets, thriving neighborhoods, fulfilling jobs, good schools, fair play and opportunities to succeed — all staples of the great American ideal and the desire of every black person.

Unfortunately, the rhetoric doesn't quite resonate when the breadwinner of the family gets laid off from his longtime government job. Consolation about the virtues of cutting government spending won't put food on that black family's table. Spouting on about the growth of private sector jobs won't cut it, and God forbid if the family has to rely on government services like food stamps or welfare. In the eyes of some on the fringe, these safety net programs border on criminal enterprise.

Fair play becomes a factor too. Imagine African Americans who've been paying attention to conservatives like West and others reject almost every compromise offered by the nation's only black president to improve the economy. How much finger waggin' and 'you lies!' does it take before African Americans start to take the disrespect personally?

Oh sure. Blacks can be conservative. There are those who stand fast for Second Amendment rights, abhor the gay lifestyle and support prayer in school. The problem is the rhetoric of the far right isn't reaching them.

West will most likely continue setting the example of what a black conservative can accomplish. The new 18th congressional district, which runs from Riveria Beach north through Martin County, contains a larger black population than the one he now represents — 10.5 percent compared to 6.8 percent. If West can win over his new black constituents, he'll bring a greater degree of credibility to the cause.

It's a start, but to be honest, it'll take the election of a black conservative from a majority black congressional district before the controversy surrounding the credibility of black conservatism finally goes away for good.

Until then, today's black conservatism will be seen as a predominantly white thing, and that perception won't change until there's a more convincing argument backed up with better examples of black Americans benefiting from more favorable public polices, political appointments, government contracts and, yes, jobs, that speak louder than shouting ever could.

Douglas C. Lyons at dlyons@sunsentinel.com, or 954-356-4638. On Twitter@douginflorida.

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