GUEST COLUMN/Black community should embrace Republican policies

“Mississippi’s Black Community Should Embrace Republican Policies”

I understand the skepticism many people may have about my decision to join the Republican Party. I have heard the questions: Am I truly a Republican, or is this just a strategic move for personal gain? Let me be absolutely clear: I am a Republican, and this shift is genuine. I did not change parties for power, position, or opportunistic reasons. That would go against everything I believe in—morally and intellectually. My commitment to the Republican Party today is grounded in my deep convictions, and it is a reflection of my belief that Republican policies—economic opportunity, personal responsibility, and a commitment to strong families—offer the best economic path forward for Mississippi’s Black community and our beloved state as a whole.

Mississippi’s Black community has been loyal to the Democratic Party, but loyalty has not produced progress. We have been taught to believe that the Democrats are the party that best serves our interests. Yet, despite the promises of prosperity and opportunity, we continue to see little change in the daily lives of many working-class families. 

This isn’t to say that Democratic leaders like Congressman Bennie Thompson, who has represented Mississippi’s 2nd District for over two decades, haven’t tried to make a difference. But despite his years of service, Mississippi continues to lag behind the rest of the nation in critical areas like poverty reduction and educational attainment. The question must be asked: What has changed for the better? What has the Democratic Party really done to lift people out of poverty? I’m not suggesting that Congressman Thompson or others don’t care or that their work doesn’t come from a place of sincerity. However, the policies they support have simply not worked. 

For years, Democrats have doubled down on welfare programs and government dependence, but the truth is, these policies have not led to long-term economic independence or generational wealth for the people they claim to help. Instead of fostering self-sufficiency, these policies have often kept people in a cycle of dependency—handing out checks but not providing the real opportunity that comes with economic freedom.

This is where my conversion to the Republican Party has its roots. Over time, I came to see that the Republican vision of individual responsibility, economic freedom, family values, and strong communities is what we need to truly address the challenges facing Mississippi’s Black community.

Conservative Republican policies offer a clear path forward for the future of Mississippi’s Black community. These policies are not just theoretical; they are rooted in the practical, real-world needs of working-class families who want the chance to get ahead, build wealth, and provide a better future for their children.

Economic Opportunity: Republicans believe in free-market principles and the empowerment of individuals to achieve their economic dreams. By lowering taxes, reducing regulation, and encouraging entrepreneurship, we can create a system where people are not dependent on government assistance but are free to build businesses and create jobs in their own communities.

Education Reform: The Republican Party champions school choice—a key policy that gives parents the power to choose where their children are educated, whether it’s through charter schools, private schools, or home-schooling. For too long, Democratic policies have trapped poor children in failing schools, denying them the opportunities they deserve. The Republican Party’s commitment to education reform is a game-changer for Black families who want to give their children a better future.

Stronger Families: The family is the cornerstone of any healthy community. Republican policies prioritize family values, ensuring that families are supported and empowered, not left behind. We need policies that encourage parents to stay together, raise their children in stable homes, and ensure that families have the resources they need to thrive.

Safe Communities: Republicans believe in law and order, and in supporting our law enforcement to keep communities safe. The safety of our children, our homes, and our neighborhoods is paramount to creating a strong, thriving community. 

These concepts are not merely Republican pillars, they are also 20th century bedrock principles that have been taught by Black leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Bobby Seales and Dr. Huey P. Newton since the onset of the Civil Rights Movement.

I am not the only one who has made a shift in political affiliation over time. Ronald Reagan, a former Democrat, became one of the most influential Republicans of the 20th century. Donald Trump, before becoming a Republican president, was once a Democrat and an independent. Even intellectuals like William F. Buckley and Thomas Sowell made significant ideological shifts, recognizing that their previous beliefs no longer served their communities or their country. Their evolutions didn’t make them less authentic; rather, they demonstrated that political growth is a natural part of a leader’s journey.

This is exactly how I view my own evolution—from a Democrat who believed in government intervention to a Republican who believes in economic independence and personal empowerment. I believe that the policies I now support will lead to a better, brighter future for Mississippi’s Black community and our state as a whole.

This is not about ideology for the sake of expediency. It’s about the future of Mississippi’s Black community, our state as a whole, and about ensuring that our children, our families, and our communities are empowered to reach their full potential. Now is the time to embrace the policies that will make that happen.

Shuwaski Young is a former Democrat Party candidate in federal and statewide elections, and is now a proud Republican.