WHAT BLACK MEN THINK…ABOUT THE ELECTION
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Janks Morton, a noted African-American conservative Libertarian, has given voice to the inner thoughts of Black men in regards to the upcoming Presidential election. While his views span the political spectrum, his prediction: “Black men will cast their ballots for Barack Obama for many reasons—and not just because he is African-American!”
“Black men see a unifying, transcending force in Barack Obama, someone who can bring together a nation fractured by war, terrorism and economic forces,” said Morton. “Politically, though, many Black men should have issues with Obama’s policies. He is by no means a perfect candidate, but he is the right person to win this election.”
Specifically, he says that black men do not want a President that would prevent them from owning a firearm. Obama endorsed a proposed handgun ban in Illinois and supports allowing local bans, along with other limiting measures. “How can any descendant of slaves empower an individual, party or government to deprive people of their Second Amendment right to defend themselves?” said Morton.
Morton, a self-described “right of center Libertarian,” takes issue with John McCain’s 1983 House of Representatives vote against recognizing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. During that time, Morton, a trained musician with 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, lived in Arizona and was outraged.
“Although John McCain apologized for his vote, his actions were irresponsible and reprehensible,” said Morton. “The majority of Republicans in the House at the time disagreed with McCain, so this was not a party-line issue. McCain was just on the wrong side of history. Add to his record McCain-Feingold, McCain-Lieberman, McCain-Kennedy and the maverick/conservative icon being portrayed by the party is dismantled quickly.”
Morton believes that Obama represents a political figure that all Americans can stand behind. “Sometimes the political pendulum swings to necessitate the change Americans demand. You cannot have Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America ” revolution without President Clinton’s and the Democratically-controlled congress’ largest tax increase in history. There is no Ronald Reagan without Jimmy Carter and no Carter without Richard Nixon. There is no Barack Obama without George W. Bush.”
Morton’s endorsement of the Obama presidential campaign does not come without some skepticism. “Even with the change that Obama represents, Black Americans should give pause to him or any politician that would advance an ideologue whose premise suggests that the arm of government is the solution to the country’s challenges.”
The filmmaker burst onto the scene in late 2007 with his film “What Black Men Think,” a documentary that was named Best Black Documentary by the Kam Williams – African American Film Critics Association. Morton was also awarded the Best Black Independent/Documentary Director. The film arises from one basic question: Are there more Black men in jail or in college? It features conversations with prominent African-Americans such as Juan Williams, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, Dr. Alvin Poussant and many others. Morton has been featured on CNN, C-SPAN, BET, Fox News Channel and countless other media outlets. His touring lecture has captivated audiences ranging from university gatherings to major national conferences, spanning all racial and political spectrums.
