The ADOS-BRO Initiative: A Conscious Conservative Response to African American Reparations

The highest level of intelligence is creativity and ingenuity...

Both traits are also characteristics of those whom society considers strange, weird, or eccentric.

Yet those who develop the habit of generating new ideas to solve current problems, these are the masters the world remembers.

I consider myself an intelligent person, not because I know a lot of knowledge, but because I understand how to apply that knowledge to manifest creative ideas that others are too afraid to mention.

For me, every good and perfect idea comes from the Holy Spirit. While many people refer to such inspiration as the "Universe," I call Him by name and I teach my online members to do the same.

​Developing unique ideas and solutions to the problems we encounter is essential to our growth and civilization. Yet too few people actually tap into their creative genius to discover how they can impact the world in which they live.

This lesson applies especially to the modern Black Conservative Movement and the individuals who comprise it. 

In this empowering post, I want to teach about the power of presenting unique resolutions to the problems some Americans encounter in this country. More specifically, I want to discuss reparations and how Conservatives can develop more effective solutions based on the values we embrace.

If we learn to do things differently while presenting answers based on conservative values, we will revolutionize the Republican Party and see a dramatic increase in Black Americans voting Red.

Reparations: Since When Did This Become a Cuss Word among Republicans and Conservatives?

​Say "reparations" to any die-hard Conservative, and you'd think you've conjured a demon of sorts.

The outrage from those who oppose it makes one wonder when did this topic become such a cuss word to Republicans and Conservatives.

It seems there's no room for intellectual discourse surrounding this issue among the base; yet this was one topic Radical Republicans advocated immediately following the Civil War.

I've heard Black Conservatives make statements such as "reparations were never promised to Black people," or "Black people received their freedom and that was good enough." And again, I have to scratch my head and ask, "Are we that thirsty for the clicks, or do we genuinely not know our history?"

So, to address this deception, let me point you to a few resources. After all, I'm here to educate.

1. In an article written by ​Henry Louis Gates, Jr., he summarizes the history of reparations, revealing that such initiative was a Black-inspired one. The discourse emerged from Black ministers and leaders. You can read more about it here. Black and White abolitionists -- who were a part of the Radical Republican group -- wanted the confiscated Southern land to be redistributed to the people who labored it for centuries (former slaves). This idea was so radical; and when the bill was brought before President Andrew Johnson, a Democrat, he vetoed it.
2. Here's another resource to consider. Most Conservatives today speak of reparations as an evil topic; yet they say nothing about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who criticized White Americans for looking down upon Black people for expecting recompense for America's atrocities. In an interview, which was recorded less than a year before his assassination, King discussed how hypocritical it was for conservative and liberal Whites to believe Black people should pull themselves up by the bootstraps when such individuals didn't have boots to strap up! Check out his interview here. (At about the 15:00-minute mark, you will hear him discuss reparations without labeling it as such.)

Certainly, there are thousands of articles related to this issue; and until there is a viable, actionable resolution, this topic with NEVER die.

Watching to the Right Use the Race Card to Win the Reparations Debate is Pathetic and Hypocritical

The other day, I came across this article from Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire blog. The headline read, "Slavery Reparations are Immoral and Racist." Before I dive into the blatant hypocrisy of the post, let me state this:

Before President Trump, Conservatives prided themselves on not employing identity politics or the race card on their platform. We just didn't do that. So, to see so many Conservative influencers using such tactics is not only embarrassing but completely futile, especially when we say nothing about the racist lunatics on the Right.

Now, let's get into this mess Shapiro calls an article.

The writer, Ian Haworth, articulated his opinion about reparations for Black people, stating such endeavors were morally corrupt. ​

Let me break his premise down further:

1. Even if there was a viable, practical strategy for implementing reparations, according to Haworth, such a thing is racist and immoral.
2. Even if Americans were able to answers all the questions related to reparations, according to Haworth, such a thing is racist and immoral.

I never thought in all my years of being Conservative I would create such content openly criticizing the base I've grown to love. But it seems unless we check ourselves at the door, we can expect to lose in the political and culture fight for conservatism.

After reading Haworth's irrational and immoral post, I did some research on this issue. More specifically, I wanted to know about German reparations to the Jews and whether such payments ceased. 

To my surprise, not only have survivors received ongoing reparations, but Germany has agreed to increase such restitution. 

How ironic that the same writer (and Shapiro, for that matter) considers reparations for Black people "immoral and racist;" but Shapiro's own people are still collecting checks today from a country that is not oppressing the Jews right now!

Let's take a look at the receipts.

Source: https://www.timesofisrael.com/germany-agrees-to-88-million-more-for-holocaust-survivors/

To Conservatives, Reparations is Only Immoral and Racist When It Applies to Black People...But Not to the Jews

Using the same logic as Haworth, the generations of Germans following the Holocaust ARE paying for the sins of their fathers today. 

After all, it's 2019. Why is the German government still allocating funds to these survivors if, by the logic of Ben Shapiro's Daily Wire blog, such behavior is immoral and racist?

Isn't it racist to force one ethnic group (the Germans) to pay another ethnic group (the Jews) for something that happened in the past? Or is that too deep for Shapiro and his writers?

For the most part, Conservatives focus on slavery as the only reason reparations advocates fight for the cause. What the base fails to comprehend is Black advocates are pointing to a period in which "Black" became associated with inferiority; when "Black" equaled slavery; when codes and laws were sanctioned by the government to oppress a SPECIFIC group on the basis of race. These laws didn't cease in 1865 at the end of the War.

In fact, such laws took on new names and new forms; but the racist ideology and the system established to enforce it remained. 

(Study the history of black codes, the criminal justice system, the private prison industry, segregated schools and unequal education, lynchings, etc.)

What Black reparations advocates contend is the LEGACY produced by slavery has significantly prevented a major segment in America from experiencing true freedom in a free country. (And if you still don't believe me, fellow Conservative, go back and watch Dr. King's interview on this issue. He uses the same rhetoric of "slavery's legacy.")

​For this cause, because the American government sanctioned such atrocities (which were funded by tax dollars, by the way), it stands to reason the U.S. government (just like Germany) should be held liable for their crimes against humanity.

Mainstream Black Conservatives are Immoral and Racist...How 'bout That!

I figure since Conservatives have decided to use the "racist card" and identity politics during the Trump Era, why not play along. 
​

1. I think it's immoral and racist for Conservatives to prop up Black people who preach a message that directly attacks other citizens on the basis of color (other Black people). 
2. I think it's immoral and racist for Conservatives to expect Black Conservatives to think a certain way and not deviate from that narrative.
3. I think it's immoral and racist for Conservatives to reward and promote uneducated Black Conservatives who have yet to read a history book written by any Black intellectual (except Thomas Sowell, whom the base absolutely loves).
4. I think it's immoral and racist for Black Conservatives to call an issue of importance to Black people "stupid" and unimportant. If the base is permitted to honor and love and cherish one ethnic group (i.e. Jews and Israel) while despising another group on the basis of race (i.e. Black people), then I find such things appalling. 

​Now, if you're Conservative and you read the above remarks, I'm sure you've been triggered, and I'm glad for it. (I told you: I like to push the envelop with my teachings.) I'm sure you disagree with everything I mentioned, and will figure out a way to come up with 280 characters to Tweet your disdain for those remarks.

But I made those outlandish remarks to show you how ludicrous we look.

Calling reparations immoral displays lower-level intellect when the very premise of reparations is to right an immoral wrong done by a government. Neither is reparations racist. It's a direct response to the racism instituted through various systems within this country.

But I understand why such analysis might be too deep for my Beloved Conservative base.

I get it.

​We don't want to accept that notion. Why? Because we might find ourselves agreeing with the people we say are on the wrong side of history. We're worried that if we say, "Yeah, I think reparations should be discussed," that someone is going to call us a liberal and snowflake. (Insert my infamous eye-rolling.)

Truthfully, I don't believe today's mainstream Black Conservatives actually hate Black people. I don't know for certain. I could be wrong. Maybe they have a Black complex. Maybe they don't.

But it seems the only way to get the base out of the controlling narrative is to make statements that force them to think differently. If we think it's OK to call a topic racist simply because it doesn't appeal to our liking, then we deserve every name the Left and Liberals call us. ​

#DemsMustPay: The Hotep Jesus Reparations Initiative

I love creative, critical thinkers. They are the ones shaping culture via the virtual space.

One of my go-to influencers in this conservative space is Hotep Jesus. You may recall I mentioned him and his Hotep team as the leaders of Hotep Nation.

Back in 2018, I noticed a divide within the overall Black Conservative Movement. We had those who appealed strongly to Right-wing mainstream audiences and many others who saw another route for reaching Black voters. (Hence, why I launched The Conscious Black Conservative Movement.)

As I became more vocal in my views regarding our lame and futile attempts to reach Black voters, I caught the attention of other Black Conservatives who felt the same way. 

In my forthcoming book entitled Conscious Black Conservatism, I prove that within the general base, there are many of us who are conscious or aware of external and internal issues that Black Americans must address. But rather than using liberal tactics (such as expanded social programs), we implement conservative solutions with the people in our communities.

Enter Hotep Jesus, whose views regarding race and politics are based on principles rather than politics. Like Tree of Logic, Sonnie Johnson, and myself, he can speak on the Right and Left because we focus on morality rather than MSM talking points.

A while ago, Hotep Jesus created a new hashtag called #DemsMustPay, and let me tell you: I absolutely love it!

I love it, not only because I completely agree with it, but more importantly because it's creative. It's an innovative counter-argument, and it shuts down the typical, regurgitated talking points that the base has used for decades.

​The hashtag gained traction, and even one mainstream Black Conservative caught a hold of it.

Unfortunately, what could have been a really powerful moment for someone like CJ Pearson to win over more support from Black voters turned out to be nothing more than another talking point moment.

Notice how CJ Pearson used the same logic as Haworth: "No black person alive today has ever been enslaved and no white person today has ever owned a slave."

Disappointing, to say the least.

​From what I understand, Hotep Jesus hopped onto CJ's post and issued a comment that led to the viral debate hosted by Anomaly.​ (I've included the video below.)

The debate between both gentlemen was pure fire. As can be expected, the general Conservative base criticized Hotep for his remarks and praised CJ as the "winner."

I thought, Well, that's cute if you want CJ to win. 

But the truth is unless you are a creative, critical thinker, you won't recognize pure fire when you see it. ​

Conservatives: Present Solutions Based on Our Values, Not Our Politics

I've asked myself repeatedly why the base continues to push narratives that do not appeal to Black voters; yet the base is so thirsty for more Black votes, which I suppose it should be, especially over the next two decades.

What I've come to understand is Conservatives (in general) fear losing. They fear losing their place in the political power structure. They don't simply fear liberalism. They fear losing the Old Guard. They believe the best way to maintain the power structure is to use the same rhetoric from decades ago that helped them win.

But as I shared in a recent lesson, the tide is shifting. Conservatives can no longer afford to ignore the power of the Black vote. And the best way to garner more political support from a growing population is to demonstrate how our values empower communities; we must engage in practical solutions to the issues that matter to such communities.

As I teach my audience: Don't rely on the talking points to persuade people to vote Red. Really on the creative ideas that help us deliver solutions WITH the people, solutions based on conservative values.

Beloved Conscious Conservatives, we don't have to fear certain issues Black people want to address. (And reparations isn't something all Black people want, but such faces are the brand of the movement). We don't have to rely on the same arguments, calling reparations immoral, stupid, and racist.

We are ABOVE that! We are the Party of the Radical Republicans, right? We are the Party that tackled racial injustices, right? We are the platform that embraces free thinking and deep discussions, right? We are the platform that wants to welcome more Black voters, right?

If so, then let the discussion be had; and if you don't have anything creative to add to the topic, sit back, watch, and listen. You might actually learn something.

The ADOS-BRO Initiative: This Conservative's Resolution to the Reparations Issue

A few years ago, I did a LIVE video on Facebook, talking about reparations and how Conservatives can dominate the discourse. Back in April of that year, I told the base, "Be prepared to witness some of the most sophisticated arguments made in favor of reparations." And the base mocked my warning.

Fast forward to June 2019, and we witnessed Congressional hearings around the topic; and yet Conservatives still couldn't seem to articulate new ideas about it.

So, one day, I decided to practice what I preached. I began by analyzing the core values we have as Conservatives:

1. Economic independence
2. Entrepreneurship
3. Small businesses
4. Personal responsibility
5. Hand-ups, not hand-outs

Because reparations focuses on economic empowerment, I drew upon our values related to economic conservatism, i.e. pro-capitalism.

From those values, I thought about how we could create a comprehensive program that addressed economic disparities many Black people argue remain a prominent issue in our country.

I called this initiative The American Descendants of Slaves Business Reparations Opportunities (ADOS-BRO).

The basic premise is this:

Just as the federal government ensures every American citizen can attend college by providing guaranteed loans, the federal government can create a program that guarantees low-interest business loans and/or grants to Black entrepreneurs.

One of the major challenges for such entrepreneurs is accessing capital to scale their businesses.

They've "bootstrapped" their ventures and developed a small customer or client base. But taking their business to a higher level proves challenging when there is no upfront capital to support the expansion.

Now, imagine what would happen to Black Wealth if these entrepreneurs could easily access more business capital through guaranteed loans/grants.

In order to qualify for this capital:

• a person must be an ADOS (similar to how a person must prove her naturalization);
• the ADOS must demonstrate her business's usefulness to the market by bootstrapping the venture for the first two years (similar to how students must prove competency before entering college);
• the ADOS must submit documents validating her business's product or service via testimonials and case studies (similar to how students must submit high school diplomas before entering college);
• the ADOS will then be granted the guaranteed loan and/or grant based on a set amount allocated to each ADOS (similar to how students are guaranteed $175,000 for college debt);
• the ADOS will then be required to repay the business loan so the program is available to the next generation of ADOS (similar to how graduates are required to pay back the student loans).

In order to start such endeavors, the businesses and corporations that profited from slavery, Jim Crow, and modern racism must allocate a portion of their profits to the program. From there, the ADOS participants will help maintain the program as they make affordable, monthly repayments.

And just like that:

• Reparations acknowledges the wrong done to certain Black American citizens.
• Reparations forces the culprits to pay for it (and not the entire country of taxpayers).
• Reparations is no longer "immoral and racist."
• Reparations is nobody's handout.
• Reparations is an aggressive, radical Republican initiative that even the low-IQ Democrats couldn't enforce. 
• Reparations remains a part of the Republican legacy of fighting for full equality, racial equity, and economic empowerment for Black people, since 1860 and beyond. 

See how I did that, Beloved Conservative? I took an issue Black people want to address and I presented a conservative answer.

This is just ONE of several reparations solutions, and I didn't have to compromise my values as a Conservative to develop this resolution. Not only is this solution plausible, but it's empowering. In fact, other historically-disenfranchised groups could replicate this program and prosper.

If I knew I could apply for guaranteed federal aid to help scale my business, those resources would help me impact millions more! This is the same story for thousands of Black entrepreneurs who practice capitalism, but need just one investment to take them to the next level.

Now, I'm giving this idea to the Conservative base.

But guess what? If the base doesn't grasp onto something like this, then expect Black intellectuals like myself to hand it over to political leaders who are eager to hear this and to act. 

And to the Party that is willing to be radical with its solutions, Black Americans will show their allegiance.

Beloved Conservatives: Embrace Creativity and be Confident in Sharing New Ideas

The educator in me will always use my platform to empower and inspire people to be great. It's who I am and it will always be my legacy.

And one of the lessons I want to leave you with is this: Tap into your creative genius. Start developing unique solutions that help people overcome their challenges. If you know conservative values are empowering, don't shut people down with talking points that never originated from your own mind or your time spent with the Holy Spirit.

You have a mind of your own, a strong mind at that. You don't need media (Right-wing media at that!) to tell you how to think or how to feel about people in the general public.

Become a life-long learner. Study human behavior. Build relationships. Cultivate friendships. Seek commonality with those whom you disagree. Display your intelligence. Know the Holy Spirit and your place in this world.

If we intend to see revival and reformation in our homes and communities, we must be willing to do things differently. We must be willing to push the envelop, break the rules a bit, and challenge each other to go deeper. As I shared in a previous lesson, the best method for spreading the conservative message is by sharing your story, your truth.

In my case, I am pro-reparations, not because I want to stir up the racial divide, but because I am aware of Black history; and I've developed a strategy that will work, a reparations solution based on conservative values. I'm not ashamed of that idea either.

But you may have another issue you want addressed, whether it be the pro-life movement or school choice. Whatever it is, challenge yourself to dig deeper than the typical talking points. Be imaginative and discuss new ideas that persuade the people to change.

And if you're truly brave, package that knowledge, revelation, and awareness in book format for the next generation to embrace.

---