POLITOPICS

by Angela Winters

At least that's what Deborah Mathis of Black America Web seems to think. She blames the "I got mine" theory among others.

Everyone is talking about the The Joint Center's new survey showing the black vote for Bush reaching much higher numbers in this election than it did in 2000.

In her commentary, Mathis sees selfishness and lack of racial identity as the reason blacks would increase their support of a man who has been nothing less than 'negligent and hostile' to them.

Why is it so hard to understand that we are all not defined by our skin color? We are human beings, and just as white/Asian/Hispanic or any other kind of Americans tend to lean right when they get some cheese, so do black folks. So yes, there might be a part of that, but I wouldn't call it selfish. Fiscal conservativism is not exclusive to any race.

Her reference to the values appeal underestimates our intelligence. She seems to think that blacks support Bush's values out of hatred for gays and non-Christians. Bush's value statement isn't just about the gay marriage amendment or stuffing faith in our face, which is arguably the wrong choice. It's about traditional values; especially traditional family values which it seems as if liberals are deeming politically incorrect. Many blacks are seeing the demise of the black family and the damage it is doing to our children a result of our rejection of the values that got us through much harder times than we face now and no longer believe that its purely racism.

Overall, I disagree with the article but it's important to read because it shows a growing age and class disconnect within the black community that can only work to our overall disadvantage.