I'm an amature historian with an emphasis on American Civil War and late 1800's American history. While anything involving socio-political areas are really gray, this one is kinda straight forward although with a double twist. The first twist is: the South in the late 1800's, where most black lived at the time, was almost entirely controlled by white Democratic interests. Other political parties had no clout in the South. Those blacks that did vote (very few could or would, but that's a whole 'nother story) were wooed by the white Democratic politicians. In the very late 1800's and the first half of the 1900's there was a major northward migration of blacks looking for work. They brought their Democratic roots with them which was re-enforced by the system already in place in the northern cities, which brings us to the second twist in the story. The Democratic party is and has been since just prior to the Civil War more a conglamoration than a solid group of people. The displaced, discriminated against, other disenfranchised persons, have been a major part of the Democratic party since the mid 1800's. Blacks who migrated north prior to, during or just after the Civil War were wooed by the local ward politicians, many of whom were Irish immigrants. And, as in most families, children tend to follow in the political footsteps of their parents. So, even now, most blacks in this country are Democrats.
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Name : Douglas Trimble, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 46, City : Columbus, State : OH Country : United States, Occupation : manager, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, In recent history (perhaps last 50 years) the democratic party has represented many issues on their platform that benefit black people, and appeal to causes that often affect them- Affirmative Action, welfare, and civil liberties. Look at the record of several democratic and republican leaders: Democrat Truman ended segregation in the military, and endorsed broad civil rights initiatives, Johnson signed the civil rights act, whereas people like republican Strom Thurmond was a blatant racist that favored segregation, along with Ronnie Reagan, Trent Lott, et al. All one need to do is google to find tons of hits describing all sorts of sordid things these republicans have done and said to try to squelch rights for black people. It doesn't take long to figure out why most black people won't vote republican. I think its starting to change a little now, tho - because of issues like gay marriage that many very conservative religions are against - including southern baptists - which traditionally have many black members.
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Name : k26946, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, City : Washington, State : DC Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, Since FDR,the party that has done the most to help integrate blacks into American society has been Democrats.Several programs and laws -desegregation of the military, voting rights, civil rights,the crushing of 'Jim Crow' laws,opportunity for equal education,access to good union jobs-have all been from Democratic administrations. The perception among blacks is that Republicans are the party of rich,white males.Republican icons like Nixon and Reagan based much of their support on appealing to disaffected Southern whites who felt that blacks were getting 'uppity' and wanted 'special rights.'Many notorious bigots left the Democrats and joined the Republican party because the Democrats became the party of civil rights.
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Name : Denice F., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 49, City : Pasadena, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : telecommunications, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, To make a long story short, I don't believe that resolving racial issues that affect black people the most have been a priority for the Republican party. I can go on and on but that's pretty much it.
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Name : dubolex25688, Sexual Orientation : Straight, City : Washington, State : DC Country : United States, In my opinion I feel this is generally this is the case due to the fact that black Americans make up such a high percentage the American living in poverty. Being a Social Worker, I view race and politics in a very distinct way, and I feel that democrats are often more likely to vote on behalf of legislation that highly impacts poverty, as well as social service programs. Overall the values of the democratic party are in line with the values of lower class Americans and those in social services, which means they are often the ones to promote social justice and be sensitive to class and race issues in policy. So, in short, it is viewed by many that democrats are more likely to aid in promoting social justice through policy that will impact the poor minorities in this country.
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Name : JNel, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 23, City : Chicago, State : IL Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Most historians agree that after the Civil War, the black vote was strongly Republican in memory of President Abraham Lincoln. According to the experts, even in the depths of the Depression, a majority of black voters supported Herbert Hoover in 1932. The economic recovery programs of FDR gained the support of black voters, and in 1936, for the first time, black voters supported the Democratic ticket, and have ever since. LBJ, a Democrat, pushed through many of the civil rights and 'war on poverty' laws we have today and cemented the black voters support of his party
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Name : JBB, City : Olathe, State : KS Country : United States, I don't know if it is that high, and I really doubt it in local elections. However, I believe most Blacks see the Republicans as refusing to acknowledge any of the discrimination or even self-inflicted vestiges of past discrimination that still exists. They also offer few to no solutions when they advocate doing away with the programs often began by Democrats like FDR and JFK. I also think Republicans are seen as ending up on the wrong side of the civil rights movement. At that time, local authorities gave Blacks little to no justice and Republicans began pushing states-rights. I understand federalism, but when the only way a person gets prosecuted for bombing a church and killing children is via the federal system, the federal government begins to look like a pretty good hero.
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Name : W. Jones, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Baptist, Age : 40, City : Kansas City, State : MO Country : United States, Occupation : communications, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, Since no blacks have responded to this question, I'll try it (even though I am caucasian). I believe it stems from one fundamental difference in Republican ideals and Democratic ideals. Since Democratic policies tend to enlarge the scope of programs to 'help' lower income groups (akin to Socialism), blacks have sided with the political party most likely to facilitate such 'help'. Bill Cosby (and other prominent blacks) have come under fire when they have criticized attitudes among many blacks that seek to 'get a handout'. Now that so many blacks are discovering the possibilities open to them and ascending the economic ladder, I hope that this mainstream attitude among blacks is shifting toward more self-reliance. As the sense of being held down and victimized by 'white society' ebbs, perhaps more blacks will begin voting less disproportionately Democratic. BTW - Abraham Lincoln was a Republican.
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Name : Ray Van Gelder, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 38, City : Santa Clara, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Sales, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, Though it would be unfair to speak for the race as a whole I am very comfortable saying this. Most Black people aren't pro-Democrat as they are anti-Republican. Democrats have long proved to be lukewarm, fair-weather friends to Blacks but Republicans are often hostile.
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Name : Yuseff, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Muslim, Age : 31, City : Atlanta, State : GA Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, In 1964, President LBJ (who was a Dem.) pushed his Civil Rights Bill through Congress. Up until then, the South had been known as the 'Solid South', because it almost always voted Democrat. 'Why?' you ask. Because Lincoln, the Great Emancipator was a Republican and after the Civil War, the South refused to vote for the party that freed the slaves. However, when LBJ gave Blacks equal rights, the south turned against him and has remained republican ever since.
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Name : Sean B., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Just very spiritual, Age : 24, City : Annapolis, State : MD Country : United States, Occupation : Retired College Student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, Those of us who vote Democratic likely do so for the same reason you vote as you do. Firstly, how people vote is often influenced by family tradition--how their parents, grandparents and so on vote or voted. Secondly, people vote for the candidate or party they think is more likely to serve their interests. Most black voters view the Democratic Party as the one who best represents their interests, which include ending racial discrimination in education, housing, lending, hiring, insurance, health care, etc.
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Name : Darren, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Methodist, Age : 39, City : San Antonio, State : TX Country : United States, Occupation : Unemployed Mortgage Servicer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, Because we do not have the financial means to be Republicans, who only look out for the rich and the upper middle class. I wonder why would any black want to be Republican?
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Name : Rosalind-B, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : West Indian, Religion : Pentecostal, City : kissimmee, State : FL Country : United States, Occupation : Accountant, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, Historically, blacks were denied an education which would have enabled them to prosper on their own and have some wealth and dignity. Democrats kept them down by offering free room and board for continuing that lifestyle and a lot of blacks succommed to that. Nowadays many educated black people have seen the other side of the coin and are prospering and becoming well versed in politics and many have converted to Republicans. They are also looking for fresh new leaders who don't still hold to the slave mentality. It's over, get over it. It didn't start here but it ended here. I love all people and hope that this hatred between the now incumbent black leaders for the white community is overridden and some new faces of optimism take over. Much love to all.
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Name : Christine, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 49, City : Atlanta, State : GA Country : United States, Occupation : admin support, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, Before I respond to this, I'd like to know the source of your statistic. I don't think your statistic is accurate at all. I think you are making a broad generalization based on something you may have heard someone else say. I don't believe 90% of black people vote democrat. Actually, before we even get to the accuracy of and source of your statistic, based on the way your statement is worded, you're saying 90% of all black people ( I'm assuming you mean in this country) vote democrat. I don't believe 90% of the black people in this country are registered voters. It's amazing how people will take things and run with it, when those things in fact have no basis or foundation of truth. It would probably be much more accurate to say the percentage of registered black voters who vote for the democratic party is higher than those who vote republican. However, I believe if you engaged in some research you will find a much higher percentage of black people who vote republican than you are inclined to believe. In my humble opinion, I think the party people tend to vote for is based on the income tax bracket they are assigned to as wage earners. People tend to vote for parties that support their economic well being, black and white.
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Name : Wayne Walker, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 48, City : Sacramento, State : CA Country : United States, Occupation : Retired Air Force/Defense Contractor, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 
TKParticipant
Mainly, it's because of the civil rights movement (legislation was spearheaded by democrats), as well has the democrats support of legislation that supports minorities like medicade, welfare, social security, etc. At least, that's my understanding of it.
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Name : TK, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Disability : ADHD/Dyslexia, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Presbyterian, Age : 31, City : Albany, State : GA Country : United States, Occupation : Small Business Owner, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 
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