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What Color Is a Conservative?: My Life and My Politics – J.C. Watts, Jr.'s Story: First Black Republican Leader
The paperback edition of the inspirational story of the first black to hold a Republican leadership position—J.C. Watts, Jr.
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 12, 2018
During the Clinton years, J.C. Watts gained some notoriety in Republican circles because he was well spoken, effectively voiced the conservative platform, and he was black. I recall enjoying his message as it resonated so much with my own beliefs.
I've had this book on my shelf forever. I don't know why I waited so long to read it (maybe a bit of political burnout, and maybe because it was no longer current), but I'm glad I finally read it. Every bit of it is still relevant today, because it's a memoir, but also because the values he espouses and the political issues he discusses are still relevant.
Watts' background makes a terrific story. Growing up poor in Oklahoma, experiencing segregation, and having parents with strong family values makes Watts' story uplifting. He was a high school and college star quarterback. Although he was offered an NFL contract, he chose to play for the Canadian Football League. After retirement from football, he returned to Oklahoma, became a youth minister, started a business and was active in his community. It wasn't long before was elected to statewide office and then to the US House of Representatives. Watts never had political aspirations, though. The elections were always a means to accomplish something meaningful for his community. He served for eight years as a US Congressman, before stepping down and returning to the private sector.
I appreciated Watts' comments about ideology, and how it's become a big problem in this country. This book was written 14 years ago and already he understood that the divide created by identity politics was damaging to our ability to work together towards common goals. He shared many stories about the difficulty of being a black Republican because Democrats automatically ostracized him, as if being black required him to share a particular group think. It's very sad, and it's only gotten worse since then.
I used to be very active in the League of Women Voters. At the time, there was a mix of both Republicans and Democrats in the League, but it was leaning Democrat. I respected my Democrat colleagues and there were many issues we agreed upon. During this last election, one of these women (who I had greatly respected) accused me of being sexist because I would not vote for Hillary Clinton. My decision to vote was issue based (namely economic), but because I was a conservative, she deemed it okay to vilify me. Today, there's more political rancor than ever before. It's on both sides of the aisle, but I'm seeing it in places I never expected to - like the woman I just mentioned.
I don't know what the answer is, but we definitely need more people like J.C. Watts. Watts would say we're on the same team, fighting for the same goals. We might disagree on the best way to get there, but at the the end of the day, we should be able to give each other a hug and appreciate each other's efforts.
I've had this book on my shelf forever. I don't know why I waited so long to read it (maybe a bit of political burnout, and maybe because it was no longer current), but I'm glad I finally read it. Every bit of it is still relevant today, because it's a memoir, but also because the values he espouses and the political issues he discusses are still relevant.
Watts' background makes a terrific story. Growing up poor in Oklahoma, experiencing segregation, and having parents with strong family values makes Watts' story uplifting. He was a high school and college star quarterback. Although he was offered an NFL contract, he chose to play for the Canadian Football League. After retirement from football, he returned to Oklahoma, became a youth minister, started a business and was active in his community. It wasn't long before was elected to statewide office and then to the US House of Representatives. Watts never had political aspirations, though. The elections were always a means to accomplish something meaningful for his community. He served for eight years as a US Congressman, before stepping down and returning to the private sector.
I appreciated Watts' comments about ideology, and how it's become a big problem in this country. This book was written 14 years ago and already he understood that the divide created by identity politics was damaging to our ability to work together towards common goals. He shared many stories about the difficulty of being a black Republican because Democrats automatically ostracized him, as if being black required him to share a particular group think. It's very sad, and it's only gotten worse since then.
I used to be very active in the League of Women Voters. At the time, there was a mix of both Republicans and Democrats in the League, but it was leaning Democrat. I respected my Democrat colleagues and there were many issues we agreed upon. During this last election, one of these women (who I had greatly respected) accused me of being sexist because I would not vote for Hillary Clinton. My decision to vote was issue based (namely economic), but because I was a conservative, she deemed it okay to vilify me. Today, there's more political rancor than ever before. It's on both sides of the aisle, but I'm seeing it in places I never expected to - like the woman I just mentioned.
I don't know what the answer is, but we definitely need more people like J.C. Watts. Watts would say we're on the same team, fighting for the same goals. We might disagree on the best way to get there, but at the the end of the day, we should be able to give each other a hug and appreciate each other's efforts.
June 8, 2015
With Chriss Winston
So five years after J. C. Watts retired from Congress and returned to private life, in the midst of the Obama revolution in American politics, the better question for this book in 2008 might be: "Where is J. C. Watts?" His removal from the public eye, to the casual observer, appears to have been remarkably successful (unlike those athletes who retire to "spend more time with their family" and instead spend more time on Entertainment Tonight!). So googling his name, I find that he is still officially retired but politically active as a "frequent political commentator", and is actively engaged in implementing part of the vision for the future he outlines here--through JC Watts Companies (http://www.jcwatts.com/) implementing private business-based solutions to the economic, social and moral problems of our time.
I am encouraged to see both that he has followed through on his convictions, and is still remaining politically active, because the story he tells in "What Color is a Conservative?" is a fascinating one of a straight-forward, straight-thinking, yet complex and very independent-thinking man who is proud of his roots in hard work in small-town Oklahoma. His story is most interesting when it dwells on his experiences growing up--his hardworking blue-collar family his school experiences, his football career--and his mistakes, such as the two children he fathered as a senior in high school when he was unable to handle the adulation coming to the big-time high school football star in the small town. These experiences provide a context for the demonstrations of his strong independent streak, for example turning his back on the NFL to play Canadian football, then walking away from his career at 30 to become a youth pastor in Oklahoma City, then registering and running for political office as a Republican.
I started into this book wondering if Watts had regrets about his remove from the political fray in light of Barack Obama's success, a question that is answered by this book and by his current activities. J. C. Watts is firm in his convictions and will continue to remain independent and active with no regrets for his decisions as long as he is following God's guidance for his own life. In this there are parallels to Tony Dungy's story Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life which I recently read and reviewed. Both men are secure in their faith, their family, and their position in society, even when it doesn't follow the traditional path of African-American men of their time and culture. Both men are honorable, decent, not enamored with their celebrity, but willing to use it for the greater purposes they see God guiding them toward.
So five years after J. C. Watts retired from Congress and returned to private life, in the midst of the Obama revolution in American politics, the better question for this book in 2008 might be: "Where is J. C. Watts?" His removal from the public eye, to the casual observer, appears to have been remarkably successful (unlike those athletes who retire to "spend more time with their family" and instead spend more time on Entertainment Tonight!). So googling his name, I find that he is still officially retired but politically active as a "frequent political commentator", and is actively engaged in implementing part of the vision for the future he outlines here--through JC Watts Companies (http://www.jcwatts.com/) implementing private business-based solutions to the economic, social and moral problems of our time.
I am encouraged to see both that he has followed through on his convictions, and is still remaining politically active, because the story he tells in "What Color is a Conservative?" is a fascinating one of a straight-forward, straight-thinking, yet complex and very independent-thinking man who is proud of his roots in hard work in small-town Oklahoma. His story is most interesting when it dwells on his experiences growing up--his hardworking blue-collar family his school experiences, his football career--and his mistakes, such as the two children he fathered as a senior in high school when he was unable to handle the adulation coming to the big-time high school football star in the small town. These experiences provide a context for the demonstrations of his strong independent streak, for example turning his back on the NFL to play Canadian football, then walking away from his career at 30 to become a youth pastor in Oklahoma City, then registering and running for political office as a Republican.
I started into this book wondering if Watts had regrets about his remove from the political fray in light of Barack Obama's success, a question that is answered by this book and by his current activities. J. C. Watts is firm in his convictions and will continue to remain independent and active with no regrets for his decisions as long as he is following God's guidance for his own life. In this there are parallels to Tony Dungy's story Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life which I recently read and reviewed. Both men are secure in their faith, their family, and their position in society, even when it doesn't follow the traditional path of African-American men of their time and culture. Both men are honorable, decent, not enamored with their celebrity, but willing to use it for the greater purposes they see God guiding them toward.
April 23, 2019
I just read the autographed copy on my mother's bookshelf. The last chapters in the book tugged at my heart. I hope my books will carry the black conservative message.
Read
January 2, 2017Very interesting story by JC Watts chronicling life and politics.
January 22, 2010
I found it ironic that on the same day that political leaders are dealing with the insightful idiocy that was Harry Reid’s “Negro dialect” comments recorded in Mark Halperin’s new book Game Change,I finished reading the memoir of a dark-skinned black Republican who grew up with bellbottoms and an afro; I’m pretty sure there’s some “Negro dialect” in his background. That Republican is former Oklahoma Congressman J. C. Watts.
To this point I’ve only known Watts as, essentially, Sean Hannity’s favorite black guy. He is usually referring to him when people talk about President Obama being the first black president. “Why not J. C. Watts?” Aside from that I knew nothing, so I was interested to pick up the book.
My full review
To this point I’ve only known Watts as, essentially, Sean Hannity’s favorite black guy. He is usually referring to him when people talk about President Obama being the first black president. “Why not J. C. Watts?” Aside from that I knew nothing, so I was interested to pick up the book.
My full review
January 15, 2010
Excellent, easily accessible read. Much more open and warm than Justice Thomas' writings. Congressman Watts is frank about his politics and how he came to believe as he does, aligning himself with Conservatives, not Liberals b/c they hold his same values (and that of many blacks who insist on clinging to he Democrat party!) Watts also gives some great insight and challenges to both parties in the end.
June 25, 2009
This is a standard political memoir. It's better than most. It is interesting and gives a good sense of the man. It's “dictated” style lets Watts' voice come through. The best parts were on his early life and his entrance into politics. He comes from quite a family.
March 31, 2008
Good Read... who would have known J.C. Watts father was one of the countries earliest house flippers, and an accomplished landlord :)
December 27, 2011
First third: Loved it. Second third: Liked it. Third third: Skimmed through quickly.
April 7, 2014
It made me curious to find out what if anything he is saying now that things have changes so much since he wrote this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews