"I interviewed Marquita Weaver Jones, a black veteran and newly-minted member of BLEXIT (“black exit” from the Democratic party), to inquire about the benefits, beliefs and opinions of a black Republican."
- Sunari Weaver-Anderson
Since the 60’s—following the Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Bush presidencies—the Republican party has seemingly been a burning bandwagon for black Americans. These presidencies birthed policies resulting in mass incarceration, voter suppression, and decreased “government dependency” (which includes food stamps, Medicaid, housing assistance and other Welfare programs). With government assistance disproportionately catering to people of color, it is claimed that to target welfare programs is to target those within them; most commonly black people. Laws and policies have been passed to police and regulate low income communities (again, most often black communities) and the activities within them. In response, the black vote for Republican candidates decreased exponentially. FiveThirtyEight, a popular polling site, claims that since Nixon’s second election in 1972, the Republican presidential candidates have only received 10 percent of “the African-American vote,” while Democrats have averaged 87 percent.
As a residual of tradition, conservatism is prominent in black families, with these communities often being faith-based. However, my own church-going grandmother is a self proclaimed “conservative Democrat,” as she can’t find solace in the Republican party. Yet my aunt, her daughter, has. I interviewed Marquita Weaver Jones, a black veteran and newly-minted member of BLEXIT (“black exit” from the Democratic party), to inquire about the benefits, beliefs and opinions of a black Republican.
Sunari Weaver-Anderson: How long have you identified with the Republican Party? Was there a specific turning point or issue that led you more to the right? Were there any influences?
Marquita Weaver Jones: I actually just officially registered as a Republican within the last year. I’d say about six months ago. I was a registered Democrat up until that point. I think the Democratic party as a whole has lost its collective mind. They’re misleading the public. Stances they took before 2016, now they’re taking an entirely different stance; on immigration for example. And I think they’re hypocrites.
SWA: What are your opinions on systematic tools of oppression? Do they exist, and as a black woman, do they affect you?
MWJ: In my own experience, I think blacks being incarcerated disproportionately, seems to be true. I don’t feel disadvantaged. Now, I have things that are working in my favor: I graduated, college educated, military, honors society lifetime membership. Ya know, excellent work ethic. So. . . there was a time where I felt disadvantaged, but I don’t feel that today.
SWA: Reportedly, 8% of black people voted for Trump. What brought you to that vote? Specific issues (like tax reform or immigration) or a moral responsibility?
MWJ: Both, specific issues, him as a businessman. I thought that we needed that different perspective to get our country, to get our economy back on track. I just felt that Hillary Clinton was the absolute wrong choice. I don’t trust her, and therefore I don’t trust her to do what’s right for the country.
SWA: Since the election, are their any of Trump’s remarks, policies, or courses of actions that you disagree with?
MWJ: I don’t always agree with his rhetoric. I don’t always agree with the steps he takes to solve a problem. But the end result, I think is just the right one. I don’t agree with the way he gets there, or what he says on the way there. But, as a whole, I agree with everything that's his done.
SWA: What is “the end result?”
MWJ: The end result is lowest black unemployment, and hispanic unemployment, ever. Lowest unemployment for women in, what, 65 years. Low unemployment for military veterans, which is a big deal to me. Tax cuts, I’m seeing over an additional hundred dollars every paycheck, from the tax cut.
SWA: It’s been a couple weeks since Kavanaugh became a justice. Assuming you were in support of his confirmation, why?
MWJ: I thought he was the right man for the job. I did my research on him. I don't see how unsubstantiated allegations could derail that. But that’s one more reason why I can't side with the Democrats anymore.
SWA: With that said, I’m guessing you’re in favor of a more conservative Supreme Court. What outcome do hope to see because of it?
MWJ: I am. Personally, I feel that not everything is permissible. That's what liberals seem to be getting at; I don't believe everything is permissible. And as a Christian, I just hope to see more conservative decisions that fall in line with my Christian beliefs, let’s put it that way.
SWA: As a women, what opinions did you have of the allegations against him? Are you in favor of “innocent til’ proven guilty” or “believe the women?” Was Blasey Ford credible to you?
MWJ: I think she was credible, and I think something happened to her. I do not believe that Brett Kavanaugh did those things to her. But I have no doubt that she went through something traumatic. It just doesn’t ring true with his character, with his rhetoric. With the accounts of those closest to him, it just, it doesn't ring true at all.
SWA: Okay, so I put together a fast round. I was hoping you could give me a sentence or two on a couple of topics/ issues. First one is. . . abortion. What are your opinions on Roe v Wade, do you want it overturned?
MWJ: I really haven't decide that. As a personal choice, I just don’t think it's the right thing to do.
SWA: Second one, LGBTQ+ rights, same sex marriage. . .
MWJ: Same sex marriage, I don’t agree with it. It goes against my Christian beliefs. [Trans people] have a way to feel the way they feel, I have a right to use the women’s bathroom, with only women.
SWA: Climate change, does it exist?
MWJ: I’m still doing my own research on climate change. So, I don’t wanna give an opinion on that. I feel like I don’t have enough information.
SWA: Last fast round question: Kneeling during the anthem?
MWJ: I fought for people to have the right to kneel during the anthem. I would never ever do it. Too much blood has been spilled over what that anthem stands for. I couldn't do it. I don't believe any American should do it. But we fought for the right for them to kneel if that’s what they feel. And they should do that without fear. But I will never kneel for my anthem, ever.
SWA: Last question. Do you feel there are any taboos surrounding what it means to be black and Republican?
As a residual of tradition, conservatism is prominent in black families, with these communities often being faith-based. However, my own church-going grandmother is a self proclaimed “conservative Democrat,” as she can’t find solace in the Republican party. Yet my aunt, her daughter, has. I interviewed Marquita Weaver Jones, a black veteran and newly-minted member of BLEXIT (“black exit” from the Democratic party), to inquire about the benefits, beliefs and opinions of a black Republican.
Sunari Weaver-Anderson: How long have you identified with the Republican Party? Was there a specific turning point or issue that led you more to the right? Were there any influences?
Marquita Weaver Jones: I actually just officially registered as a Republican within the last year. I’d say about six months ago. I was a registered Democrat up until that point. I think the Democratic party as a whole has lost its collective mind. They’re misleading the public. Stances they took before 2016, now they’re taking an entirely different stance; on immigration for example. And I think they’re hypocrites.
SWA: What are your opinions on systematic tools of oppression? Do they exist, and as a black woman, do they affect you?
MWJ: In my own experience, I think blacks being incarcerated disproportionately, seems to be true. I don’t feel disadvantaged. Now, I have things that are working in my favor: I graduated, college educated, military, honors society lifetime membership. Ya know, excellent work ethic. So. . . there was a time where I felt disadvantaged, but I don’t feel that today.
SWA: Reportedly, 8% of black people voted for Trump. What brought you to that vote? Specific issues (like tax reform or immigration) or a moral responsibility?
MWJ: Both, specific issues, him as a businessman. I thought that we needed that different perspective to get our country, to get our economy back on track. I just felt that Hillary Clinton was the absolute wrong choice. I don’t trust her, and therefore I don’t trust her to do what’s right for the country.
SWA: Since the election, are their any of Trump’s remarks, policies, or courses of actions that you disagree with?
MWJ: I don’t always agree with his rhetoric. I don’t always agree with the steps he takes to solve a problem. But the end result, I think is just the right one. I don’t agree with the way he gets there, or what he says on the way there. But, as a whole, I agree with everything that's his done.
SWA: What is “the end result?”
MWJ: The end result is lowest black unemployment, and hispanic unemployment, ever. Lowest unemployment for women in, what, 65 years. Low unemployment for military veterans, which is a big deal to me. Tax cuts, I’m seeing over an additional hundred dollars every paycheck, from the tax cut.
SWA: It’s been a couple weeks since Kavanaugh became a justice. Assuming you were in support of his confirmation, why?
MWJ: I thought he was the right man for the job. I did my research on him. I don't see how unsubstantiated allegations could derail that. But that’s one more reason why I can't side with the Democrats anymore.
SWA: With that said, I’m guessing you’re in favor of a more conservative Supreme Court. What outcome do hope to see because of it?
MWJ: I am. Personally, I feel that not everything is permissible. That's what liberals seem to be getting at; I don't believe everything is permissible. And as a Christian, I just hope to see more conservative decisions that fall in line with my Christian beliefs, let’s put it that way.
SWA: As a women, what opinions did you have of the allegations against him? Are you in favor of “innocent til’ proven guilty” or “believe the women?” Was Blasey Ford credible to you?
MWJ: I think she was credible, and I think something happened to her. I do not believe that Brett Kavanaugh did those things to her. But I have no doubt that she went through something traumatic. It just doesn’t ring true with his character, with his rhetoric. With the accounts of those closest to him, it just, it doesn't ring true at all.
SWA: Okay, so I put together a fast round. I was hoping you could give me a sentence or two on a couple of topics/ issues. First one is. . . abortion. What are your opinions on Roe v Wade, do you want it overturned?
MWJ: I really haven't decide that. As a personal choice, I just don’t think it's the right thing to do.
SWA: Second one, LGBTQ+ rights, same sex marriage. . .
MWJ: Same sex marriage, I don’t agree with it. It goes against my Christian beliefs. [Trans people] have a way to feel the way they feel, I have a right to use the women’s bathroom, with only women.
SWA: Climate change, does it exist?
MWJ: I’m still doing my own research on climate change. So, I don’t wanna give an opinion on that. I feel like I don’t have enough information.
SWA: Last fast round question: Kneeling during the anthem?
MWJ: I fought for people to have the right to kneel during the anthem. I would never ever do it. Too much blood has been spilled over what that anthem stands for. I couldn't do it. I don't believe any American should do it. But we fought for the right for them to kneel if that’s what they feel. And they should do that without fear. But I will never kneel for my anthem, ever.
SWA: Last question. Do you feel there are any taboos surrounding what it means to be black and Republican?
MWJ: Let me go back and answer this way. The reason I registered as a Democrat is because, I literally thought it was a big enough deal to bring the form home and talk it over with my parents and Granny. And Granny basically said, if you register other than Democrat, I will disown you. And if you’re black, you’re a Democrat. Until I started doing my own research, and listening to how I feel about certain issues. And the issues of the Republicans match, more so, my beliefs as a Christian and as a US citizen. And so, now I feel free to--it’s not popular for us to be Republican--but I feel it’s the right way for our country.
