The 2010 census findings are beginning to trickle out. Blacks are leaving the North, but let’s not get it twisted, what they’re really doing is leaving the Rustbelt…and New York City. Blacks migrated to the north en masse in the Great Migration to escape terrorism and to find solid working class jobs, with benefits and (later on) union protection. They are migrating back to the South because New York City and Chicago are too expensive, and because the jobs in Chicago, Detroit, and elsewhere are gone. There are more blacks in the south than in any period since 1960. Quick thoughts on political consequences:

  • The South was NEVER solidly for one political party. NEVER. Black disfranchisement made it appear that way, but this was far from the case. Expect southern Republican dominance to gradually dissolve. There is no way the GOP can keep the racist white vote AND get the growing black vote. The 50 + .01% strategy will only work so long.
  • On the other hand, expect blacks to lose mayoralties in Atlanta and other predominantly black cities. Blacks are not only moving to the South, they are moving to the SUBURBS. DC is about to become a majority white city. Expect Atlanta to do so as well.
  • Expect class issues in black communities to flare up politically. Black suburbs are segregated by class, giving black middle and upper class residents the ability to cordon themselves off from their poorer counterparts. Expect more black politicians to speak to black middle class interests under the cover of black interests.
  • Along these lines expect black politics to become more conservative. The south is a bastion of anti-union and anti-government sentiment. Unless something is done to actively counter this move expect black politics to become much more conservative.
  • Finally, given that blacks even as they become conservative will reject the GOP because of their racism, expect the DNC to become even more conservative than they already are.

Thoughts?

Many U.S. Blacks Moving to South, Reversing Trend – NYTimes.com.