The Republican National Convention hosted many gatherings and events in Milwaukee in July. I attended the Black Republican Mayor’s Association gathering at the Iron Horse Hotel. This program honored Black delegates and alternates. Although this event was to honor Black Republican delegates across the United States, historically Black voters have voted for and backed the Democratic Party.
However, the Black delegates who attended this gathering 100% back Donald Trump, and they feel that he is a businessman who could properly lead the country. The common mindset of the Black delegates who spoke with MATC Times seems to be that of unity of all Americans as well as prosperity and growth of the Black American community.
Dr. Joann Fisher “I am here for Veterans. This is important to me because they have forgotten our women and male Veterans. I want people to know our issues and how we’re suffering! We support Donald Trump because he’s a fighter and that’s what we need as a leader, not a weak leader. I really feel he will make changes in our community. He’ll come in and bring law and order!”
Leon Benjamin: “I would say to my fellow brothers and sisters who associate being Republican to white supremacy or racism is that I am you. I was a former Democrat growing up not knowing anything when it came to politics or what’s going on civically until someone reached out to me and asked me my views on abortion, life, and marriage and I gave my honest opinion as a pastor of 22 years. I realized I never equated my values to politics or voting. So what I would say to the Black community is let’s get back to talking again about what we truly believe and about the state of our community and how we can change that.”
Lacy Johnson: “As long as we are focused on race, people are going to take advantage of us. I would say to the Black community to get a thirst for knowledge. Anytime they tell you not to read something, read it and research. When you start doing this, you’ll begin to see what they aren’t telling us and you’ll begin to notice a pattern here. And once you see that pattern, you’ll come to the conclusion that there is a sophisticated campaign to keep Black folks focused on race, racism and slavery to keep us voting Democrat. And another thing I say to Black people is that I was raised to focus on being the best that I can be. I don’t care what white folks think. Because it’s kind of like if I’m driving down the freeway and I’m looking at the cars behind me, it’ll always look like they’re getting closer to me, but if I keep my eyes straight on the road, it becomes more clear. So a lot of time they have us looking over there at other things instead of keeping our eyes over here on our goals.”
As I interviewed and mingled with the delegates, I learned that Black Republicans only view themselves as Americans who have equal rights to own businesses and have wealth, therefore ethnicity or race is not a factor when it comes to the policies and laws of America. This is why they support Donald Trump because they feel he’s honest and straightforward about where America’s problems lie and that he is solution-oriented when it comes to restoring our economy. This in turn helps every American, not just one group of people.
I also observed love, respect, and unity amongst the Black Delegates, media, guests, and visitors all of which are different ethnicities. I personally thought that this event allowed me to help share the voices of Black Republicans as typically they aren’t taken seriously or respected amongst the Black community. I feel everyone deserves to be heard. There can be disagreements amongst point of views, however it is important for each perspective to be shared.
