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The Promise and Peril of Black Conservatism, from Booker T. Washington to Condoleezza Rice
Beacon Press
February 2008
On Sale: February 8, 2008
264 pages
ISBN: 0807083755
EAN: 9780807083758
Hardcover
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Non-Fiction Political
What exactly is a black conservative, and why would anyone
choose to be one? This question, deemed largely irrelevant
in years past, is one that liberals can no longer afford to
leave unanswered. While the 2006 midterm elections buoyed
liberals, Democrats have in fact been losing ground with
their African American base. In 1972, fewer than 10 percent
of African Americans identified themselves as conservative;
today nearly 30 percent—11.2 million—do. By contrast, the
number of blacks who self-identify as liberal continues to
decline, reaching a low of 13 percent in 2004. In this
groundbreaking book, Bracey explains black conservatism's
growing appeal and traces its hidden and underappreciated
history. Though black conservatives are becoming the most visible
voices within African American politics and culture, few
realize that the black conservative tradition predates the
Civil War and is an intellectual movement with deep
historical roots. Bracey takes his readers on a remarkable
journey, tracing the evolution of black conservative
thought from its origins in antebellum Christian evangelism
and petty entrepreneurialism to its contemporary expression
in policy debates over affirmative action, law enforcement
practices, and the corrosive effects of urban African
American artistic and cultural expression. Bracey examines black neoconservatives like Shelby Steele
and John McWhorter and reveals the philosophies of
prominent political conservatives such as Clarence Thomas,
Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice. With a revealing
chapter on the infotainment effect of Bill Cosby, Chris
Rock, pundits, and bloggers, Bracey analyzes the tradeoffs
made by conservatives—many of which raise serious questions
about whether conservatives today are effectively
protecting the interests of blacks. Original and
penetrating, Saviors or Sellouts is the first account of
why conservatism remains a coherent and compelling
alternative for African Americans today. "This marvelous book is required reading for all who want
to understand the phenomenon of conservatism in the most
progressive group of Americans-Black people." —Cornel West,
author of Race Matters "This important and fascinating engagement with the growing
black conservative movement illuminates one of the most
vexing political trends of our time. Written by a leading
African American liberal, it powerfully traces the
intellectual character and practical appeal of this growing
movement, and offers a realistic and empathetic, yet
sharply critical, appraisal."
—Ira Katznelson, author of When Affirmative Action Was
White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-
Century America and Ruggles Professor of Political Science
and History, Columbia University "Bold and provocative, Saviors or Sellouts challenges us to
rethink longstanding political labels as part of larger
quest for social justice and black community empowerment in
the 21st century.
—Peniel E. Joseph, author of Waiting 'Til the Midnight
Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America "In seeking to chart the topography of black conservatism,
Bracey undertakes a task not only necessary to the new
millenium's politics of blackness but also brave. Neither
black liberals nor conservatives have a monopoly on the
truth, nor does either group have an innate right to the
hearts and minds of the community; it is only by respecting
each other enough to engage in a respectful debate that
blacks can heal themselves and fight for their preferences
in the body politic. This work will aid immeasurably in
achieving that goal. It is long overdue."
—Debra J. Dickerson, author of The End of Blackness:
Returning the Souls of Black Folk to their Rightful Owners "Saviors or Sellouts is a must read—not only to identify
black conservatives but, indeed, to understand them."
—Mary Frances Berry, author of My Face is Black is True:
Callie House and the Struggle for Ex-slave Reparations and
Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania
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