Introduction

The question of why most African-Americans now favor the Democratic Party over the Republican Party, while linking it to the early stance on slavery by distinguished figures like Abraham Lincoln, is complex and multifaceted. This article seeks to unpack these historical and political underpinnings with an aim to understand the current political landscape and the reasons behind the current affiliation.

Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party

Abraham Lincoln is renowned for his efforts against slavery and for founding the Republican Party that opposed it. However, it is important to understand that the modern Republican Party is quite different from its historical roots. The new Republican Party originated from a Tory faction that supported slavery, not the anti-slavery wave led by Abraham Lincoln and the Radical Republicans. Lincoln’s party, the Republican Party of the 1860s, was indeed opposed to slavery, while the Democratic Party of that era supported it.

When Lincoln sought to free all slaves, he faced opposition from his own party's more radical members. It is crucial to distinguish between the historical narrative and the current realities the Republican Party represents. Today, the Republican Party, despite its historical opposition to slavery, has shifted significantly to the right. Its past actions and current behaviors are vastly different from those of the Lincoln era.

The Political Realignment of the 1960s and 1970s

The political realignment of the 1960s and 1970s saw significant shifts in party loyalty, particularly among African-Americans. The situation began to change significantly with the Democratic Party under Kennedy and LBJ, who endorsed the civil rights movement. This move helped the Democrats capture more liberal Southerners and the bulk of the black electorate. On the other hand, the Republican Party, under Nixon, adopted what was known as the 'Southern Strategy.' This strategy aimed to win Southern voters by appealing to their racial fears and insecurities.

The political landscape in the United States evolved, leading to the creation of a center-right Republican Party and a far-right Republican Party, significantly different from the historical Republican Party that Lincoln represented. This evolution has dramatically altered the party alignment and the behaviors associated with each party label.

The Modern Political Landscape

Today, the parties are no longer the same as they were in the mid-19th century. Although the question of Lincoln and slavery is valid and important, it is essential to understand the modern political realities and behaviors of the parties. Today, the Republican Party’s position on various issues, including race, differs markedly from the Democratic Party. For example, today's Republicans often advocate for policies that may be seen as reinforcing racial subordination.

African-Americans support the Democratic Party because it aligns with their current goals and values. Historically, African-Americans have supported parties that champion their rights and advancement. Given that many Republicans today advocate policies that might be seen as detrimental to African-American interests, it is not surprising that African-Americans consistently vote for the Democratic Party.

Behavior and Label

To further clarify, the roles of 'label' and 'behavior' are crucial in understanding political alignment. For instance, a century ago, terms like "gay" referred to the happiness of individuals. Today, "gay" is associated with sexual orientation, just as "racist" is associated with the behavior of racial prejudice. Labels are merely identifiers, and the underlying behaviors they refer to are what truly matter.

The behavior of racism is closely linked to the Republican Party today, while it was historically associated more with the Democratic Party. However, this does not mean that the modern Democratic Party or the modern Republican Party is inherently defined by these recent behaviors. Thus, when African-Americans vote for the Democratic Party today, it reflects their current goals and the current behaviors of the parties.

Conclusion

The support of African-Americans for the Democratic Party today is a result of the ongoing political realignments and the shift in party behaviors over the past decades. Abraham Lincoln's stance against slavery is part of the legacy that shaped the early Republican Party, but it is the current political affiliations and behaviors that matter most. Today's African-Americans favor the Democrats because their behavior aligns with the goals of African-American communities in the modern era, which is significantly different from the historical context.