AKINDELE AKINYEMI OP-ED: The Urban Conservative: A Policy- And Solution-Driven Group Of Individuals

The conservative Republican in Detroit, Mich. opines on Facebook: "It's appropriate to say that conservatives of color living in the inner cities have a set of specific issues that are different than most of our mainstream counterparts. Therefore, this one size fits all approach and mentality does not resonate with us such as all of us share the same problem. Detroit do not have the same issues as Novi or Ann Arbor when it comes to crime and decadence. The term urban does not specifically mean black but it means a specific demographic within a world metropolis. However, I do believe that a certain type of wealth could be tapped in the African Diaspora. This wealth is already being tapped by the Chinese who continue to invest in sub-Saharan Africa. The word conservative should not be reminiscent of old white men sitting around the country club either. Conservatism means a political attitude and philosophy which advocates institutions and traditional practices that have developed organically within a nation over a period of time. For example, one can look to places like the Carribbean [sic] and Africa and see the traditions for themselves. Personally, that is why I can call myself a conservative who vote Republican."

He continues his commentary: "So therefore, urban conservatives must create an urban execution plan that will help develop new ideas and new agendas. But before that let's look at a few things. First, we understand the purpose of both silver rights and how this philosophy must be applied in urban communities globally. John Hope Bryant, the founder of Operation HOPE in Los Angeles, CA has defined silver rights as the following: 'A concept that documents and validates the next phase of civil rights: the empowerment movement not only of American minorities, but of majorities as well. That is, we transition beyond giving a fish, beyond teaching to fish, to owning the pond itself. It['s] a belief that the focus should not exclusively be on or about America's low to moderate-income, or any particular ethnic group per se, but those who have experienced poverty in their lives - be it spiritual, mental, emotional or financial.' Silver Rights activists believe in converting small business dreamers into small business owners. Converting minimum wage workers into living wage workers. Converting the economically uneducated to the economically literate, and empowered. Helping people help themselves, and creating more stakeholders in America. Urban conservatism embraces this idea because it is the very foundation of how we transform our communities academically, economically and politically. Second, we are domestic and international thinkers and domestic and global citizens. We travel the world whether its by the Internet or by plane. We have issues globally that affects us both internationally and domestically. Programs such as [G]lobal [D]ignity [D]ay and others are important to prepare our children to understand that not just the United States is important on the world scene but they too are important in creating a new world for our community. You can love America but we do not let that jade us in our thinking of others on the planet."

After arguing that urban conservatives should focus on improving America's mixed economy in relation to (1) education, with a focus on charter schools and education empowerment zones; (2) health care, with community development corporations to provide substance abuse counseling, crisis pregnancy centers to reduce abortions, partnering with faith-based groups on HIV/AIDS, flexible health insurance plans that are portable across state lines; (3) housing and development, via tax credit incentives and turning rentals into long-term purchase payments; (4) economic development, by eliminating city income taxes and promoting urban agriculture; (5) public transportation, via promoting high-speed rail; (6) aerotropolis (aviation-intensive businesses); (7) public safety; (8) family development, by opposing gay marriage but leaving it up to states to decide and instead focus on strengthening religious-based marriages; (9) alternative energy and environmental communities; and (10) gang warfare and youth violence; and (11) building a counterculture in an agenda moving forward, Mr. Akinyemi writes: "When the Republican Party begin[s] to understand that we live in the 21st century and that our history does not begin with Ronald Reagan or Barry Goldwater you will begin to see something transform right before your eyes. I take offense that more people know about the legacy of Ronald Reagan than the legacies of Booker T. Washington or Frederick Doulglass [sic]. There is no excuse for any person of color who calls themselves a conservative to NOT know their culture or history. Period."

Final thoughts from Mr. Akinyemi about urban conservatism: "Urban conservatives strongly believe that the history of black Republicans is important to know and the contributions are valuable. But today, in a global society, the role of the black Republican has become demonized (and in some cases diminished) not just by the media but also by becoming unrealistic in their approaches to becoming solutions based. Black Republicans are preparing to run for federal office next year and already there are concerns about the basic message. We must fix this right away. It['s] easy to bash President Obama but notice who supports you in doing so. The minute you want to think for yourself and actually engage in community involvement on any level by being policy driven and self-sufficient your mainstream friends will leave you in the dust. The same with RNC Chair Michael Steele. To deny that racism does not exist in the 21st century demonstrates either self-denial or self-hate. There are MANY that hate the fact that Obama and Steele are running both political parties. We can no longer deny this in public or private. We, as urban conservatives, are not seeking friends but seeking ANSWERS to a problem. Globally, our communities have suffered far too long and its time to connect with those who are willing to stand up and challenge the status quo with independent knowledge of self."