Arkansas Republican Jon Hubbard Calls Slavery ‘Blessing In Disguise’ For Blacks

Slavery was a “blessing in disguise” for blacks; at least that is the message being delivered in a new book by Arkansas Republican State Legislator Jon Hubbard.

In the book titled Letters to the Editor: Confessions of a Frustrated Conservative, it quickly becomes clear that Hubbard believes a majority of African Americans are ignorant, lazy, and even thankful that their people were once slaves.

In one passage, Hubbard writes:

“… the institution of slavery that the black race has long believed to be an abomination upon its people may actually have been a blessing in disguise. The blacks who could endure those conditions and circumstances would someday be rewarded with citizenship in the greatest nation ever established upon the face of the Earth.” (pages 183-89)

While whites entered the country as free citizens unencumbered by religious persecution, Mr. Hubbard somehow believes that blacks needed to be enslaved to receive the same treatment.

The next gem from the book claims that black students are lazy and lack discipline. He writes:

“… one of the stated purposes of school integration was to bring black students up to a level close to that of white students. But, to the great disappointment of everyone, the results of this theory worked exactly in reverse of its intended purpose, and instead of black students rising to the educational levels previously attained by white students, the white students dropped to the level of black students. To make matters worse the lack of discipline and ambition of black students soon became shared by their white classmates, and our educational system has been in a steady decline ever since.” (page 27)

Hubbard then writes:

“Wouldn’t life for blacks in America today be more enjoyable and successful if they would only learn to appreciate the value of a good education?” (page 184)

Further into the book, Hubbard writes that blacks were lucky to be enslaved because otherwise they would be living in Africa today, a continent that has continued to fight through civil war, famine, and other horrid conditions.

Eventually, the Arkansas Republican begs the question:

“… will it ever become possible for black people in the United States of America to firmly establish themselves as inclusive and contributing members of society within this country?” (page 187)

The Republican party throughout the 2012 election cycle has fought to attract the very women, black, and Mexican voters it has isolated; unfortunately for the party, comments like those of Jon Hubbard makes it hard to believe that the GOP wants to help anyone that doesn’t perfectly match their own demographic.