My guest this week is Shermichael Singleton, a political consultant, writer, and SiriusXM host who is that still-rare thing: a young black conservative. Since his college days at Morehouse, Shermichael has thrown himself into politics, working his way up from campus activist to volunteer positions for Republican candidates to eventually become a high-ranking aide to Dr. Ben Carson during his presidential campaign and his foray into Trump’s White House.
I liked that; it was just nice. it was particularly good to hear him say he was "challenged" at Morehouse; that's the perfect environment for intellectual growth.
And yeah, would LOVE to see you land Thomas Sowell on your show!!!!
Trump showed up at the Black Conservative Federation and joked that the lights were so bright he could only see Black people. Couple this with Raymond Arroyo’s tennis shoe comment and you have Republicans presenting Democrats with the gift of Black voters. Black voters will want nothing to do with condescending White Republicans.
Biden got 96% of the Black vote in South Carolina. While turnout was low in a state that will vote overwhelmingly for Trump, the high Black vote percentage does not suggest that Black male voters are abandoning the Democratic Party.
Thanks Donald. Your belief that indictments and tennis shoes attract Black voters will be a significant part of your downfall.
Edit to add
And of course CPAC had a discussion where one panel suggested Michelle Obama was once a man.
From Shermichael Singleton’s 10/29/18 article in Ebony magazine
“But let me be clear: I am critical of the political process at large. For a Black person in America, there is no perfect choice in our two-party system. From my vantage point, one party wishes to ignore the past while using dog whistles to attract those who hold views representing the worst of humanity; and the other party, despite purporting to recognize the continued struggles of Black people, does so only when it’s beneficial to them.
I have continued to be a Republican because conservative values are our best hope, and I believe it is important for African-Americans to have a voice and influence in both political parties. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that the GOP has been negligent in its duties as a major political party to properly target and address the legitimate concerns of African-Americans—from criminal justice reform to education. Yet, I remain a Republican because representation matters, and in a two-party system one party won’t always be in charge”
It is obvious that Republicans will retain political power. I see nothing in the current GOP structure that makes them a viable option for Black people. The silencing of history and encouragement of dog whistles remain staples of the GOP. Black unemployment has continued to decline under Biden.
Edit to add:
You can always count on Conservatives to make your point for you. Over the weekend, Raymond Arroyo told the Fox News audience the ugly sneakers would attract inner city Blacks to Trump because they love tennis shoes
Enjoyed this conversation Glenn. I found it quite endearing that he addressed you as Professor Loury. Reminded me of Briahna Joy Gray in her two conversations with you. Not a left or right thing, just respect.
I don't think I've ever heard Glenn so quiet during one of these talks ;)
Interesting to hear a black conservative's take on...well, anything :) Although sometimes I hear folks described as conservative and I'm not sure why...like Thomas Sowell...his take on racism is very common sense the way King was. I'm not sure whether I have a skewed idea of conservatism or whether the left has gone so regressive-woke that everything to the right of Fidel Castro looks 'right-wing' to them.
Another powerful conversation. Glenn is on a roll this year so far.
Singleton was very transparent about the way he was treated at school. I love hearing stories about teachers holding their students accountable. Sometimes it hurts at first, but they are trying to help you. So you have to swallow your pride, listen, and sharpen your skills. That's part of the Glenn show brand that we have been a part of for all these years.
If you we want people in the real world to take us seriously, then there is no room from paternalism in academia.
Glenn, it was so nice to see your beautiful wife. This discussion was one of the best. My appreciation of Morehouse has grown exponentially. I wish I could vote for Mr Singleton. We could use a battalion of young men like him in Washington (or in my case Madison as well). I gained quite a bit of nuance / context from this discussion I had lacked previously.
What a terrific, inspiring, smart, young man. This was the perfect platform for Shermichael to tell his story. A wonderful suggestion by Mrs. Loury. Thank you.
Hearing young people with passionate perspectives is always a pleasure. Clearly this young man benefitted, I deduce from his self examples given, by coming from a loving and close knit family. His curiosity and interest in politics since childhood, and so passionately, is firmly rooted, I believe, in having grown from that secure family background. I don't think we can ask for more from our future leaders.
I am currently reading Coleman Hughes' book, 'The End of Race Politics', and I think of these two young men as representatives of two perspectives, the introvert and the extravert. To my sensibilities, Coleman Hughes represents the introvert; he is a deep pool of water, and when you throw a pebble or rock into it, you get to delight in the circular waves that emanate from the rock's point of entry. Shermichael Singleton, to my sensibilities, represents the extravert. He is more a part of a cityscape; he surfs through a torrent of rain that cascades down the street or sidewalk, that may become a puddle, but will dry up with time, and will always move up into the atmosphere again, to repeat the cycle. The source of water changes, it moves, but it does so with phenomenal resilience. Both styles of being in the world are needed, and it has been my pleasure to learn about and explore the thinking of these two young men.
Thank you Dr. Loury, for all you have introduced me to, my world has expanded, a lot..
I liked that; it was just nice. it was particularly good to hear him say he was "challenged" at Morehouse; that's the perfect environment for intellectual growth.
And yeah, would LOVE to see you land Thomas Sowell on your show!!!!
Trump showed up at the Black Conservative Federation and joked that the lights were so bright he could only see Black people. Couple this with Raymond Arroyo’s tennis shoe comment and you have Republicans presenting Democrats with the gift of Black voters. Black voters will want nothing to do with condescending White Republicans.
Biden got 96% of the Black vote in South Carolina. While turnout was low in a state that will vote overwhelmingly for Trump, the high Black vote percentage does not suggest that Black male voters are abandoning the Democratic Party.
Thanks Donald. Your belief that indictments and tennis shoes attract Black voters will be a significant part of your downfall.
Edit to add
And of course CPAC had a discussion where one panel suggested Michelle Obama was once a man.
https://youtu.be/61K9D_MU46c?feature=shared
Why would Black voters want to associate with white Conservatives?
Democrats are breathing a sigh of relief
From Shermichael Singleton’s 10/29/18 article in Ebony magazine
“But let me be clear: I am critical of the political process at large. For a Black person in America, there is no perfect choice in our two-party system. From my vantage point, one party wishes to ignore the past while using dog whistles to attract those who hold views representing the worst of humanity; and the other party, despite purporting to recognize the continued struggles of Black people, does so only when it’s beneficial to them.
I have continued to be a Republican because conservative values are our best hope, and I believe it is important for African-Americans to have a voice and influence in both political parties. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit that the GOP has been negligent in its duties as a major political party to properly target and address the legitimate concerns of African-Americans—from criminal justice reform to education. Yet, I remain a Republican because representation matters, and in a two-party system one party won’t always be in charge”
It is obvious that Republicans will retain political power. I see nothing in the current GOP structure that makes them a viable option for Black people. The silencing of history and encouragement of dog whistles remain staples of the GOP. Black unemployment has continued to decline under Biden.
Edit to add:
You can always count on Conservatives to make your point for you. Over the weekend, Raymond Arroyo told the Fox News audience the ugly sneakers would attract inner city Blacks to Trump because they love tennis shoes
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fox-news-raymond-arroyo-trump-sneakers_n_65d791f3e4b0189a6a7d3e94
2nd Edit to add:
Michael Steele agrees with my observation
https://apple.news/AqLMGIi67Rg26jOx4WFkzIg
Enjoyed this conversation Glenn. I found it quite endearing that he addressed you as Professor Loury. Reminded me of Briahna Joy Gray in her two conversations with you. Not a left or right thing, just respect.
Scorecard
Shermichael Singleton thinks Trump is a scumbag
He tried to work in the White House, but was fired because of Trump’s pettiness
Charlamagne tha God and Jon Stewart say Biden is old
Both see Trump as a major danger to democracy
I don't think I've ever heard Glenn so quiet during one of these talks ;)
Interesting to hear a black conservative's take on...well, anything :) Although sometimes I hear folks described as conservative and I'm not sure why...like Thomas Sowell...his take on racism is very common sense the way King was. I'm not sure whether I have a skewed idea of conservatism or whether the left has gone so regressive-woke that everything to the right of Fidel Castro looks 'right-wing' to them.
Anyway, that was quite an enjoyable listen!
On Trump's presidency, he failed fundamentally as a leader. If he was interested in leading he would be president now.
Another powerful conversation. Glenn is on a roll this year so far.
Singleton was very transparent about the way he was treated at school. I love hearing stories about teachers holding their students accountable. Sometimes it hurts at first, but they are trying to help you. So you have to swallow your pride, listen, and sharpen your skills. That's part of the Glenn show brand that we have been a part of for all these years.
If you we want people in the real world to take us seriously, then there is no room from paternalism in academia.
What a great podcast. It’s nice to hear from a thoughtful young man with a positive outlook.
It’s Sowell and he’s from the Hoover Institution.
Glenn, it was so nice to see your beautiful wife. This discussion was one of the best. My appreciation of Morehouse has grown exponentially. I wish I could vote for Mr Singleton. We could use a battalion of young men like him in Washington (or in my case Madison as well). I gained quite a bit of nuance / context from this discussion I had lacked previously.
Did I hear “Solo” for Sowell? You can’t hit this guy with a handful
of peas!
What a terrific, inspiring, smart, young man. This was the perfect platform for Shermichael to tell his story. A wonderful suggestion by Mrs. Loury. Thank you.
Hearing young people with passionate perspectives is always a pleasure. Clearly this young man benefitted, I deduce from his self examples given, by coming from a loving and close knit family. His curiosity and interest in politics since childhood, and so passionately, is firmly rooted, I believe, in having grown from that secure family background. I don't think we can ask for more from our future leaders.
I am currently reading Coleman Hughes' book, 'The End of Race Politics', and I think of these two young men as representatives of two perspectives, the introvert and the extravert. To my sensibilities, Coleman Hughes represents the introvert; he is a deep pool of water, and when you throw a pebble or rock into it, you get to delight in the circular waves that emanate from the rock's point of entry. Shermichael Singleton, to my sensibilities, represents the extravert. He is more a part of a cityscape; he surfs through a torrent of rain that cascades down the street or sidewalk, that may become a puddle, but will dry up with time, and will always move up into the atmosphere again, to repeat the cycle. The source of water changes, it moves, but it does so with phenomenal resilience. Both styles of being in the world are needed, and it has been my pleasure to learn about and explore the thinking of these two young men.
Thank you Dr. Loury, for all you have introduced me to, my world has expanded, a lot..