Black Conservatives & the Race Narrative

In the past few weeks, I have had several black conservatives to “advise” me that I shouldn’t write about race so much. Now some of them genuinely say it because they don’t want me to be labeled as a writer who focuses on race because they know I have written on many topics & can write about anything and in reality I can. I chose to write this series, “The Top 10 Things Black & White people want to know about one Another but won’t Ask” because I don’t think there has been adequate, honest dialogue on the topic. Political correctness often gets in the way of honesty. The only label that I concern myself with is the one I give myself. I don’t have low self-esteem so I could care less what white, black, Hispanic  or green people want to label me as, based on the topics of my blogs. Here’s my problem with some of their disapproval:

#1 I can write about whatever topic I choose & people can choose to read it or not read it. Before my current series on http://www.kiradavis.net, I had only written 3 articles on race, regarding the Martin/Zimmerman case. I wrote an article on Obamacare, “Faux Reproductive Rights” & several other topics including the economy but they don’t get as much attention although they do quite well & I am so thankful for & humbled by the support I get every time. For some reason, no matter who the writer is, people generally like to read honest editorials about the topic of race and other social issues. In my opinion, there are not enough uncensored, honest conversations about these topics so I do my best to be fair & honest.

#2 Some black conservatives who have shared that opinion with me have previously complained that black conservatives are only asked to comment on race topics in media outlets – I have heard that SO MANY times. Now I’m not saying it’s not true (I don’t think that’s always the case), but here’s the irony,listen closely. When the Trayvon Martin shooting broke national news some of those same black conservatives, who complain that they are only asked to talk about race, complained that not enough white conservatives were standing with them in condemning George Zimmerman & “calling a spade a spade”.

Many white conservatives were simply reserving judgment until they knew all of the facts which does not mean they were on Zimmerman’s side – they just didn’t know what to believe & they understand how the liberal media can twist stories, be they about race or the economy. I didn’t know what to believe & once the reports started changing daily, I quickly jumped off of the “Zimmerman is racist”bandwagon. Some have been very vocal against those whom they consider to be white racists under the guise of conservatism & those whom they consider to be wimpy conservatives, unwilling to stand on the side of the Martin family. Some even accused those white conservatives of not being authentic conservatives or Christian conservatives. I wrote a blog about that entitled “Among Conservatives: Black Bullies & White Extremists” which is in the Notes section of my Facebook page for those who want to check it out.

This is my main point so listen very carefully black conservatives. If you want to be recognized equally for your ability to report/comment/write about ANY political, economic or social issue, then stop condemning white conservatives for being equally vocal on racial issues, regardless of their “side”or opinion!  Why don’t some of you get that? You constantly exclaim “I can talk about more than just race” but at the same time, you still want to control the conservative narrative when the topic of the day is about race. So white conservatives need to recognize your ability to discuss a variety of topics but you can’t extend the same courtesy to them? Huh??? It’s no wonder some media outlets only invite some of you when the hot topic is racial, because they have to play tug of war with you for the conservative narrative, and many just give in. Some of you need some humility & a muzzle at times. Ok that’s my rant for the day, take it however you want. That’s my story & I’m sticking to it!