What Color Is a Conservative?: My Life and My Politics [Paperback]

J. C. Watts (Author), Chriss Winston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2003

The paperback edition of the inspirational story of the first black to hold a Republican leadership position—J.C. Watts, Jr.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this forthright and up-by-the-bootstraps memoir, Oklahoma Congressman Watts charts his personal experiences, his political beliefs and aspirations and his abiding faith. "Mine wasn't a Norman Rockwell childhood. There were too many black faces, too much poverty, and too little opportunity," he writes. Nonetheless, Watts's stories of growing up in tiny Eufaula, Oklahoma, with his close-knit, high-spirited family of eight offer plenty of touching moments. He recalls playing for the University of Oklahoma and the Canadian Football League, and shares political war stories complete with digs at the "hollow rhetoric" of Democrats, liberals and black leaders who call Watts a traitor, and for whom "group identity is more important than individual principles." The fourth-ranking Republican in Congress emphasizes his desire to imbue his constituents-as well as those beyond his district's borders-with a feeling of trust in his party, and to affect an increased affinity for its political positions and ideals. Of politicking and partisanship, Watts says that new models of cooperation are needed, between government and private organizations, secular or not, and that "if we have the will to change, we will change lives for the better."
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

African American Watts, the fourth-ranking Republican in Congress, reflects on what some regard as his incongruous position and explains his belief in family.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (November 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060932406
• ISBN-13: 978-0060932404
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story of J. C. WATTS is the Story of America, May 28, 2003

By 

Tucker Andersen (Wall Street) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What Color is a Conservative? (Hardcover)

Julius Caesar Watts, Jr. recently became the chairman of an organization of which I am a member; since I only knew of him as an outstanding wishbone quarterback from the Barry Switzer glory years at the University of Oklahoma and as the first black member of the Republican Congressional leadership, I figured that reading his autobigraphy was the best way to begin to learn about the man. My hopes were tempered by my usual skepticism concerning books by and about politicians because of the agenda and vanity of the writers, but I was encouraged by the fact that J.C.'s book was published after he had announced his retirement from Congress rather than as a stepping stone to higher office. This book exceeded all my expectaions. You learn about J.C. - his family, his upbringing, his values, and the crucial experiences in the formation of his character and outlook on life. The story is told in a straightforward yet very interesting manner, by the end of the book I had developed a real understanding of what makes J.C. "tick". Usually, I have trouble staying interested in this type of book because they are either boring, BS, or both. This was an easy read, several times when I had planned to only read a single chapter I found myself continuing due to my fascination with the story.

The other surprising aspect of the book is that the subject of race does not dominate every discussion; obviously it is one one the key formative factors in J.C.'s life and is dealt with openly, as are the subjects both of religion and the role of faith in his life and also politics and the impact of him being the first black southern Republican Congressman since the reconstruction era. This story begins with J.C. as a boy growing up during the struggle to end segregation; he was one of two blacks to integrate his town's all white elementary school. He later faced the pressure of becoming the first black quarteback for OU. His parents "never gave [him] an excuse to fail", rather he learned the ethic of hard work from his father Buddy who had grown up during the depression with the added burden of being black. He also had the love and discipline of his mother Helen, the "sheltering oak" in his life who counterbalanced "the strong wind" of his energetic and ambitious father. In addition, he learned from the example of his Uncle Wade, who overcame the prejudice and animosity of the Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan so completely that this former KKK member actually spoke in tribute at Wade's funeral.

In summary, this is an inspiring story which provides the insights necessary to understand a remarkable man, but it is also the story of America. It is about personal responsibilty, hope, faith, belief in our power to overcome obstacles (even when the mountain is as high as our past history of racial injustice) and create a better tomorrow for future generations. As he explains, J.C. Watts is an American of African descent who has chosen not to let his race either deter or define him; as such he has confounded not only the proponents of victimhood who view him as a "traitor" to their cause but also those Republicans who had hoped that he would become the "black spokesman" for their party. While his experiences inform his choices and viewpoint, as he often says - most issues should not be about the black or white view, but about the facts and your goals.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., J.C. Watts Jr. is clearly delineated by "the content of his character" rather than the color of his skin. He is living proof of the view espoused by John McWhorter in AUTHENTICALLY BLACK (Amazon review 3/20/03) that while blacks undoubtedly often still face additional hurdles on the road to success, that the biggest stumbling block to their success today is the culture of victimhood that denies the opportunities that do exist and creates a feeling of self pity rather than self worth.

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book if you want to learn about JC Watts, November 25, 2002

By 

Chris from the Midwest - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Color is a Conservative? (Hardcover)

When I picked up this book I had intentions of learning about how J.C. dealt with politics in his life. After reading it I was pleasantly surprised about how in-depth the book goes into his life in general, not just politics. He discusses in great length, what it was like for him to grow up in Oklahoma, and how the views of his parents have molded him into who he is today. Some people might disagree with a lot of his political stances, but it is hard to disagree with the merit at which he chose those stances. His views are views that many American's share, whether or not many believe it. For those who like sports, his descriptions of sport analogies, and how they tie into life, should be adequate enough to get you to understand his political views. For those who perfer a pure political book this may not be for them. In retrospect, he could have used the title Leadership in his book just as well as Conservative. I think that the title of 'What Color is a Conservative' is not quite enough, as this book touches on much more then politics, which I think is the basis of our general definition of Conservative when we discuss those who hold a political office. It is a great book, and a shame that the people of the U.S. will lose a great Congressional member. But no matter what office he holds, his legacy will be based upon his ability to lead, which nobody who reads this book should question.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great American, April 27, 2003

By 

Chris Salzer (Gainesville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Color is a Conservative? (Hardcover)

J.C. Watts is a true American hero - in every sense of the word. From humble beginnings in rural Oklahoma to star Sooner QB to luminary Congressman, Watts recounts his life in expert fashion to make for an enthrallingly good read. Watts has always been a leader grounded in good faith and family values - a true original when in comes to Washington, D.C. demagoguery. And that's exactly what has endeared him to his many fans and supporters - and conversely that's what also has angered many outside - and within - the Republican pary. Watts was never known to back down from a good fight. He is willing to take a principled stand for what he believes in and resists the coercive influence to always vote in deference to party leadership.

As Watts explains, character-building experiences have helped him to see beyond political orthodoxy and the rigid constraints of group identity to make him the extraordinary leader that he is today. He is willing to embrace new models to solve old problems - unlike most politicians. Watts has always been a man of God, resiliency, resolve, unwavering principle, and old-fashioned family values. He is sorely missed in Washington as there are few true leaders like him remaining.

"No man is free who is not master of himself."