(Opinion) Young Conservatives Spark New Conversation: "We Had a Black President, So Why BLM?”

written by a member of the WCB

“I've been listening to conversations happening across college campuses and social media, and there's a fascinating shift occurring among young conservative voices in America. Today, I want to explore a question that's increasingly being raised in dorm rooms and dinner tables nationwide: In a country that elected Barack Obama as its first Black president, what does the Black Lives Matter movement truly represent in today's political landscape?

For those who might need a refresher, Barack Obama made history in 2008 when he was elected as the 44th President of the United States. This brilliant Harvard Law graduate, born to a Kenyan father and Kansas-born mother, shattered centuries of precedent by becoming our nation's first African American president. His election represented a pivotal milestone in our ongoing journey toward racial equality.

"President Obama's election was supposed to be the ultimate proof that America had moved beyond its racist past," explains 19-year-old Mackenzie from Arizona State University. "Many of us grew up with him as our president. That's why some young conservatives like me are genuinely confused about why the narrative seems to be that America is fundamentally racist."

This sentiment isn't isolated. I've spoken with dozens of young conservatives from Florida to Washington who express similar thoughts. They're not dismissing racial concerns entirely, but questioning the framing.

"I believe all lives matter equally, including Black lives," says Thomas, a 21-year-old economics major from Georgia. "But I feel like there's no room for nuanced conversation anymore. Either you embrace every aspect of the movement or you're labeled a racist."

What's particularly interesting is how these young conservatives distinguish between supporting equality and endorsing specific political solutions. Many express strong support for equal treatment under the law while questioning whether the policy prescriptions often associated with the BLM movement are the right approach.

"We can acknowledge areas where improvement is needed without embracing solutions that might create new problems," notes Jennifer, who leads a conservative student group in Michigan. "That's not denying racism exists. It's having a different vision for how to build a more united America."

This conversation isn't happening in isolation. It's part of a broader soul-searching among young Americans about how we define progress in a nation with our complex history. The challenge? Creating spaces where these questions can be discussed respectfully, with genuine listening on all sides.

I believe these conversations, however uncomfortable, represent an opportunity. When young people engage sincerely with different perspectives, they often discover common ground beneath the political labels. The passion for a better America exists across the spectrum – the paths to get there may differ.

What's your take? Is Obama's presidency relevant to how we understand racial justice movements today? I'd love to hear your thoughts as we navigate these complex conversations together.”