What if the left is right about the troubles plaguing the black community?
Yes, it might be hard for conservatives to accept, but what if all of the troubles facing black Americans are caused by bigoted white people? Is it at all possible that white privilege is working overtime to ensure that poor blacks don’t overcome their environment?
Well, maybe it’s true. Let’s explore that, shall we?
Let’s Do Victimhood!
For many years now, the left’s primary message to blacks and other minorities is that we cannot achieve success because of racism. They continually make race the center of the conversation and claim that they are the only ones willing to help us escape our current predicament. Usually, I would reject these claims, but today, I’m in the mood for some good, old-fashioned race-baiting.
For the sake of argument, let’s say I have finally become “woke” and accepted the left’s message of victimhood. I have seen that whites are causing all of the problems black Americans experience. Black-on-black crime, poverty, unemployment, and the breakdown of the black family exist due to the spread of white supremacy.
I’ve just ordered my Black Lives Matter t-shirt on Amazon, and I plan to lay face down on the floor the next time they play the national anthem at a football game. But there is a question that we should answer: which white people do we blame?
Which Whites Are Oppressing Blacks?
It would be silly to imply that all whites are to blame for the majority of the problems in the black community. After all, we know how many white people marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement. Therefore, it is imperative that we blame the right white people.
So let’s take a look at the cities where blacks aren’t doing too well.
According to U.S. Census data, the ten poorest cities in the country include Flint, MI, Gary, IN, Detroit, MI, Albany, GA, Homestead, FL, Gainesville, FL, Youngstown, OH, and Cleveland, OH. Here is how the poverty rates break down for black Americans in these cities:
| City | Poverty Rate For Blacks | State Poverty Rate |
| Flint, Mich. | 30.40% | 12.00% |
| Bloomington, Ind | 33.30% | 16.30% |
| Reading, Pa. | 28.50% | 13.20% |
| Detroit, Mich. | 40.10% | 15.80% |
| Youngstown, Ohio | 45.20% | 38.30% |
| Cleveland, Ohio | 31.60% | 28.80% |
| Homestead, Fla. | 40.50% | 35.60% |
| Gainesville, Fla. | 45.10% | 35.60% |
| Gary, Ind. | 37.30% | 37.10% |
| Albany, Ga. | 40.10% | 33.80% |
As you can see, the poverty rate for blacks in these cities is considerably higher than their state poverty average in most cases.
The local governments of nine of these cities are predominantly made up of Democratic politicians. We were not able to verify the party of the officials serving in Albany. So how is the Democratic Party actually impacting blacks?
Are Democrats Really Helping Black People?
The cities with the highest poverty rates are run by Democrats. Incidentally, black Americans living in these cities are experiencing a disproportionately higher level of poverty than other races.
The data shows that leftist policies have kept black Americans in poverty for decades — and yet, we continue to give them our votes. The Democrats’ approach is not helpful for the black community; indeed, it is perpetuating the poverty in which many black Americans live.
So why do we keep voting for them?
The Democratic Party has successfully positioned itself as black America’s savior. The left pummels the black community with their message of victimhood until we are convinced that the entire nation is against us. They tell blacks and other minorities that racism is such a strong force in America that we cannot succeed without government intervention.
On the other hand, they paint Republicans as the evil face of American oppression. The establishment media publishes story after story to persuade blacks into thinking every Republican politician has a white hood hidden in their closet.
Democratic politicians seduce black voters with promises of government-sponsored success. They entice us with grandiose promises upon which they cannot deliver. The left creates a fantasy reality that is ours for the taking — as long as we vote for them. Then, they enact pernicious policies that make it increasingly difficult to achieve our dreams while blaming racist Republicans for the inevitable failure of the leftist agenda.
And the cycle repeats itself upon each election. As podcaster and speaker Sonnie Johnson often says “If they are going to be the party of the poor, they have to keep you poor.”
Now, this isn’t to say that every Democratic politician wishes to keep blacks in poverty — most of them believe their policies are helpful. Nevertheless, the data show that their policies are not helping blacks — indeed, they are causing tremendous damage.
Definition of Madness?
Let’s face it; the Democratic Party has failed the black community time and time again. They have had ample time to deliver on their promises, but they have not succeeded.
If you were to hire an employee who continually failed to perform the task for which he is paid, what would you do? You would fire him, right? Perhaps it indeed is time for us to fire the Democrats and try someone new.
By no means am I saying that our troubles would magically disappear if all blacks started voting Republican overnight; we are the only ones who can fix the problems in our community. But it would be a great start.
If black Americans want a different result, we should try electing different leaders. After all, the Democrats already had their chance, didn’t they?
Socio-political Correspondent at LibertyNation.com. A self-confessed news and political junkie, Jeff’s writing has been featured in Small Business Trends, Business2Community, and The Huffington Post. Born in Southern California and having experienced the 1992 L.A. Riots up close and personal, Jeff’s insights are informed by his experiences as a black man and a conservative.Race Relations & Media Affairs Correspondent
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