Introduction

For the first time in university history a political organization is emerging that is non-democratic. Fall semester will close with a seed of Conservatism planted in its roots, as the start of Young Black Conservatives is in full swing. The organization is making it its personal mission to eliminate stereotypes surrounding the GOP (Republican Party) and separate people from principle on campus.
Sophomore Simone Perry, a Political Science major who decided to begin the organization explains: “Professor Washington did a lot to bring a new perspective last year; he hosted several debates arguing both viewpoints on important issues.” Ellis Washington, republican professor of American Government, International Law and Judicial Process last academic year, was unable to teach at SSU this year, but apparently has left an impression on his students.
Junior Nick Barringer, a firm republican on campus quotes: “It’s about time for something new; me and a lot of my friends believe in family values and capitalism. I am not willing to follow the crowd about my beliefs. There are not enough of us who are willing to think individually.”
It is true that 90% of blacks voted democrat last year, the only race to have an allegiance that high in the United States. So why the lack of alternate opinion? History tells us that the Republican Party freed many slaves, under Republican President Abraham Lincoln in a document titled the Emancipation Proclamation. The Democrats governed the majority of the south at that time, did not permit blacks to enter their Party until 1924. It was not until the candidacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 that the Republican Party focused its efforts away from civil rights. John F. Kennedy, eight years later, moved the tide that would seemingly forever change partisan ties.
So with both major parties showing signs of discrimination, how can the vote be so one-sided? This issue is what sophomore Jordan McKinney hopes the Young Black Conservatives will be willing to clear up.
McKinney states, “I have heard the comments of many racist republicans and it has turned me away from their message. If they were less radical, as I hope the YBC will remember, I think blacks will be more receptive to their views.”
So how do you know which side of the spectrum your beliefs fall on? Traditionally Republicans’ stances on issues are driven by their beliefs in Christianity, family values, and lack of government control on people’s daily lives, further asserting people are responsible for their own well being. Democrats don’t believe spirituality necessarily has a place in everyday life, and try to promote fairness among all people, they also suggest that the government care for people’s well being.
One thing is for sure, last year it seemed the entire campus was thriving with political prowess and optimism about the election. But now that President Obama is securely in office, there is much less world awareness to be seen. Only 19% of eligible African-American voters in Savannah are participating in the 2009 general elections.
Perry adds, “A student in my economics class asked me if I was a republican, when I told him yes he assumed I was rich! He didn’t even believe I had the Pell grant. It shows you how wrong our perceptions of republicans are.”
Junior Joy Wyatt states, “I am a democrat, but it’s largely due to family reasons. It’s what I was raised on.”
As young people we uphold several beliefs that were taught from birth, but one must question how moral this is. Dr. Benn Bongang, and other professors in the Political Science department proclaim their excitement about something new on campus. Our professors constantly urge us to use the college experience to become independent and break away from accepting our upbringing as the only belief system. The first Young Black Conservatives meeting is scheduled for the first week of December. It is to be informative, and a typology test will be available to help each students find their individual political identity. The only question remaining is: Is the campus open-minded enough to listen to the elephant?