HipHopRepublican.com
Hip Hop Republican
Excerpted from the website:
“While some blacks lean conservative on issues like abortion and gay marriage, Web sites like HipHopRepublican.com raise issues important to blacks that many Americans are concerned about health care, affordable housing, the economy, the environment and education”
The New York Times
“A very likely” McCain vote, but a more moderate one”
US News & World Report
“There is one demographic category, however, that regularly is overlooked. It is a group that most people simply laugh off, are puzzled by or outright dismiss. Meet the “Hip-Hop Republicans”
The Root.com
“While most blacks are savoring the moment blogs like HipHopRepublican.com believe its time for change within its own party too”
BBC RADIO
“Leaders from the popular youth blog HipHopRepublican.com sat down with me to talk about opportunities that their party could harness if they were only willing to do the kind of outreach that Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama’s campaign does”
MTV’s Rock The Vote
“Young, Black, Palin-Proud Republicans her outnumbered, seemingly unlikely supporters”
Village Voice
“The term Hip-Hop Republican is one some would consider the definitive oxymoron. Hip-Hop is young, urban and cutting edge. The Republican Party … not so much. So upon first hearing the term several months ago on CNN.com, I almost fell off my chair”
Taking Back Politics Magazine
“At the center of this GOP avant-garde movement are the Hip-Hop Republicans, a group of young, black men and women who believe that the Republican Party must seriously confront issues of race, must turn its attention back to the United States’ urban centers, and should use traditional Republican solutions to solve the ills of our cities”
Campus Progress
“There is still not a lot of action on the floor of the convention hall, which is giving bloggers (stationed far above the floor) time to get to know each other. To our right is Hip Hop Republican , Hip Hop Republicans as those who see that “for far too long, urban areas have been controlled by a Democrat monopoly and ignored by head-in-the-sand Republican leaders”
Founded in 2004, HipHopRepublican.com is one of the most active minorty and urban blogs within the Republican Party. The New York City based political/music blog is helmed by a group of young moderate Republican and Libertarian bloggers of all economic and social backgrounds (and independent conservatives) of all colors, all of whom possess diverse viewpoints and hail from various urban regions across the United States. The blog was started out of a frustration with blind party loyalty and 40-plus years of mismanaged urban polices and a Republican Party that seems to have forgotten about urban America. Our hope is that the Republican Party will create and launch an urban agenda that empowers people not governmental institutions.
RNC Credentialed Republican National Convention Blog: HipHopRepublican.com was a 2008 RNC Credentialed Convention Blog in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Richard Ivory is a Columnist and Editor with The Washington Times Communities section and Thy Black Men. He is a political consultant that has worked on political campaigns around the country and has worked for both the Republican National Committee and was the Republican Youth Majority. Campaigns seek his assistance when trying to reach minority audiences. In 2008, he finished an internship with one of the largest Labor advocacy groups in the nation the Business and Labor Coalition of New York. During the 2008 election season, Mr. Ivory covered the Republican National Convention for The Washington Post affiliate The Root.com
Besides working in the political arena, he is an advocate for the homeless and mentally ill and is as a member of NAMI. Richard describes his political beliefs as that of a progressive Republican. He has been featured and interviewed by The BBC, The New York Times, National Public Radio, CNN and US News & World Report. His writings have been published nationally by several online publications including The BBC, The Daily Voice & Frum Forum.
The Blogs Beliefs
The pillars of the blog Hip Hop Republican are supposedly grounded on the principles of free market enterprise. The blogs writers believe that by advocating the precepts of economic empowerment, academic success and self-reliance, the lives of citizens in urban communities and beyond can ultimately be transformed for the better. By and large the blogs writers and contributors are firm believers in free-market principles which they believe harness the forces of competition, and ultimately unleash the dynamism of individual choice that carries with it the potential to reshape both lives and communities.
The Name
Richard Ivory the blogs founder stated that the name given for the blog "Hip Hop Republican" was a reference to a Washington Post article referencing Michael Steele a Maryland Senatorial candidate as a "Hip Hop Republican". Steele was running against a Democrat but managed to get the endorsement of American entrepreneur and philanthropist Russell Simmons. His appeal to the working class and moderate democrats inspired this blog and the Hip Hop Republican movement. On August 24, 2006, Russell Simmons hosted a reception in support of Republican Michael Steele for his efforts to reach younger voters and minorities in particular. The blog seeks to carry on that legacy by promoting a philosophy of self-empowerment.
Q & A
What is a Hip-Hop Republican?
In one interview one of the blogs writers told a reporter in St. Paul, Minnesota that "Hip Hop Republicanism" was a movement of mostly urban/inner-city young people of all colors that did not describe themselves as being "Liberal" or "Democrat" but saw themselves as more center-right and who supported more of a reform agenda.
What's the difference between a HipHop Republican and a black Republican?
One is a color the other is more about locality. Hip Hop Republicans can be white or Asian or even Black. They just live in urban settings and have an appreciation for the realities that come with living in an urban city.
Q. What are the beliefs of HipHop Republicanism?
Hip-Hop Republicans believe that government’s social contract and our moral compass require helping those in need. Nevertheless, we also believe that if a non-governmental entity can provide a more efficient service it should be allowed too. As urban Republicans, we believe that any entitlement program should include metrics of proven success and should have as its ultimate aim the empowerment of the individual not the government. This means that any temporary guarantee of assistance must be accompanied by requisite training.
In his, article “The Blueprint for Urban Conservatism?” Brandon Brice, a Harlem resident and self-described “Hip- Hop Republican,” noted that the economic power of Hip Hop culture has created more African-American entrepreneurs than any other industry in America, which gives partial credence to our adoption of the name. The mission of the Urban Republican movement is to highlight and provide solutions for real issues; health care affordability, fiscal responsibility, solutions to better inner city schools and job creation. Let us think about the trends of economic activity in urban America.
In 2007, Def Jam Chairman Russell Simmons created a credit based debt card for urban families to input funds on a card, without creating debt or overdraft fees, as a means to educate on financial literacy. In 2007, Atlanta rapper T.I. started T.I construction as a means to help recently released ex-convicts find employment. Def Jam South Rapper David Banner teaches low-income residents in the south about the importance of saving and investing. Jay-Z, when he is not on tour, gives more to Make A Wish, Brooklyn Public Schools and the Marcy projects than any other rap celebrity in the New York City area. As aforementioned the hip-hop movement is a potent and persistent socio-economic force, and although their are grievances to be aired with some of its’ symbolism we must recognize the positive impact made and leverage that to correct the injustices allowed by Wall Street and Washington policymakers.
In reality, urban conservatism speaks to all of the persistent issue’s in urban communities, by offering advanced literature and school voucher programs in neighborhood schools to counter educational inequities. The Urban Republican movement seeks to influence ex-gang members to put down the guns and pick up a book, or a pen to learn how to legally integrate into society. This movement takes experts out of the hospitals to speak on pro-active health in local community centers. The movement utilizes media contacts, not for personal gain, but to address the crisis of housing affordability, or the need for tax reform so that taxpayers are not baring the burden via tax dollars. The movement recognizes that America is changing and the need for the Republican Party to adapt and offer new solutions. What makes this concept of Urban Republicanism unique is that it pushes minorities to become self sufficient and responsible. The blue print for urban Republicanism is for the party to take on new problems in the 21st Century. The movement recognizes that Republicans can no longer run on set guidelines to win elections, but must solely run on the issues.
An example of a vibrant urban Republican agenda can be found on the website of The DC Republican Committee (DCRC) which created a document entitled “A Republican Urban Agenda”. Many urban Republicans and Hip-Hop Republicans can support this document. We believe that this document can be a start in implementing an effective strategy that Republicans can use nationwide. If the Republican Party is going to take its fight to urban American, it must be prepared and it must be in sync with the people it seeks to empower.
Richard Ivory is the Founder and Publsiher of Hip-Hop Republican.com
Hip-Hop Republican INTERVIEWS
National Public Radio[1]
CNN[2]
WNYC RADIO [3]
'HIP-HOP REPUBLICAN PRINT INTERVIEWS'
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