Conversations With Coleman: The Life of a Black Conservative with Glenn Lowry

Released on August 9, 2024

In this enlightening episode of "Conversations With Coleman," host Coleman Hughes engages in a profound dialogue with Glenn Lowry, an accomplished economist at Brown University, podcaster, and author of the memoir Late Confessions of a Black Conservative. The conversation delves into Lowry’s personal journey, the evolution of the South Side of Chicago, the fragmentation of the Black family structure, and the intellectual influences that shaped his conservative stance. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of their discussion.

1. Introduction to Glenn Lowry and His Memoir

Coleman Hughes opens the conversation by introducing Glenn Lowry, highlighting his role as an influential intellectual and the author of Late Confessions of a Black Conservative. He emphasizes the memoir's compelling nature by comparing it to other notable works, urging listeners to delve into Lowry's personal narrative.

Coleman Hughes [02:03]: "I cannot advise enough, even for people that are highly familiar with you, your life and your work, to go out and actually do yourself a favor of just getting the book read the whole thing."

2. Reflecting on Personal History and Writing a Memoir

Lowry discusses the emotional and introspective process of writing his memoir, which involved revisiting both triumphant and tumultuous moments of his life. He shares how recording conversations about his past helped him articulate his experiences.

Glenn Lowry [03:34]: "There were layers to it. I discovered things about myself. I exposed things to myself, about myself in going through the process."

3. The South Side of Chicago: Past and Present

The conversation shifts to Lowry’s upbringing on the South Side of Chicago during the 1950s and 60s, contrasting it with its contemporary reputation. Lowry paints a picture of a more stable and community-oriented environment in his youth, starkly different from the prevalent image of urban decay often associated with the area today.

Glenn Lowry [11:00]: "I slept on the couch, but I never heard gunshots. There were no drug vials or paraphernalia in the gutter."

4. The Unraveling of the Black Family: Historical Context

Lowry and Hughes explore the significant decline in two-parent households within the Black community over the past century. Lowry references historical data and personal anecdotes to argue that this fragmentation has deep cultural roots rather than being solely a product of contemporary challenges.

Glenn Lowry [15:20]: "I don't want to give the secrets of my book away for free... early signs of the kind of collapse of traditional living patterns that we've witnessed in a large part of black America."

5. Comparing Societal Changes: Race and Class

The discussion broadens to include comparisons between Black and White American societies, particularly regarding the resilience of family structures amidst cultural shifts. Lowry suggests that economic and social capital play crucial roles in how different communities navigate societal changes.

Glenn Lowry [27:12]: "If cultural elites... don't think much about marriage... it might be a lot harder for somebody who's living in a dying Midwestern town... to remedy the consequences of those behaviors."

6. Intellectual Influences: Thomas Sowell and Economic Thought

Lowry reflects on the impact of economist Thomas Sowell on his thinking. Initially skeptical due to prevailing academic attitudes, Lowry grew to deeply respect Sowell’s work on race, culture, and economic policies, acknowledging his own intellectual evolution.

Glenn Lowry [31:18]: "Thomas Sowell has continued to produce books, and he is a towering figure... his great book, Knowledge and Decisions, shows him to be a mind for the ages."

7. Personal Struggles with Addiction

Lowry candidly shares his battle with addiction in the late 1980s, detailing the personal and professional toll it took. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and seeking support for those struggling with similar challenges.

Glenn Lowry [45:09]: "What you can say to somebody who might be confronting this awful challenge? Get help. Don't stop trying."

8. Crack vs. Powdered Cocaine: Policy and Perceptions

The duo discusses the notorious disparities in punishment between crack and powder cocaine. Lowry explains the physiological differences in drug consumption methods and the resultant societal impacts, arguing that differential policies, while discriminatory, may be justified based on the distinct social consequences.

Glenn Lowry [49:42]: "If you smoke it, it gets to the brain in a much more concentrated form... But it's a kind of discrimination, but it's justifiable discrimination."

9. Historical Debate: Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. Du Bois

Lowry articulates the foundational ideological split between Booker T. Washington's skills-first, self-improvement approach and W.E.B. Du Bois's rights-first, political activism stance. He examines how these philosophies have influenced modern Black liberal and conservative thought, advocating for a balance between self-development and advocacy for equal rights.

Glenn Lowry [54:22]: "Du Bois tradition... petitioning and advocacy for equal rights was an essential, fundamentally important project. But now... we need to focus on developing our capacities, compete effectively in the modern world."

10. Networking with Other Intellectuals: The Black Conservative Trench

Lowry shares insights into his connections with other Black intellectuals, including Thomas Sowell and John McWhorter. He highlights the challenges of forming cohesive groups among like-minded thinkers who often operate independently, yet find common ground in their iconoclastic approaches.

Glenn Lowry [64:55]: "I feel a certain fellowship with this collection of people... We're informally informed, linked together somehow."

11. Conclusion

Coleman Hughes wraps up the interview by expressing gratitude for Lowry's participation and reiterating the value of his memoir. The conversation underscores the importance of candid discussions about race, culture, and personal growth within the Black community.

Coleman Hughes [70:40]: "Glenn Lowry, thank you so much for doing my show."

Notable Quotes:

• Glenn Lowry [03:34]: "The experience of trying to describe why I was so admiring of my father... was a powerfully galvanizing experience."

• Glenn Lowry [15:20]: "The root of the problem is cultural. The collapse of internal cohesion... how children get socialized."

• Glenn Lowry [27:12]: "This is Charles Murray's argument in his book Coming Apart... it's about class."

• Glenn Lowry [31:18]: "Thomas Sowell is a towering figure... his work on race and economics is invaluable."

• Glenn Lowry [49:42]: "Crack is a much more powerful thing going right to the brain... two different forms have different social consequences."

• Glenn Lowry [54:22]: "Du Bois tradition... petitioning and advocacy for equal rights was essential. But now, developing our capacities is more important."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a deep dive into Glenn Lowry's life, beliefs, and the socio-economic dynamics affecting the Black community in America. Through personal anecdotes and intellectual discourse, Lowry provides a nuanced perspective on race, family, and resilience, challenging listeners to rethink commonly held narratives. For those seeking a thoughtful exploration of Black conservatism and cultural transformation, this conversation is both insightful and inspiring.