In recent months Libertarians have made the news by advocating the move to a single state to pull its political strength. They seek to elect council members, congressmen, and governors who agree with their general philosophy of no taxes and limited government. The Free State Projects goals are to get 20,000 or more liberty-oriented people will move to New Hampshire, where they may work within the political system to reduce the size and scope of government. The success of the Free State Project would likely entail reductions in burdensome taxation and regulation, reforms in state and local law, an end to federal mandates, and a restoration of constitutional federalism, demonstrating the benefits of liberty to the rest of the nation and the world.

We are not advocating the move to New Hampshire or have any affiliation with this group. We are simply wondering what would happen if a majority of the 30 plus million African Americans decided to move to a single state so as to affect the political economic conditions to benefit the black community.

Imagine instead of zero black senators we could elect two to the U.S. Senate. Instead of zero black governors there could at least be one. Instead of zero state legislatures being majority african american there could at least be one.

No we are not advocating the re-segregation of America. Too many of us have fought and died for one America. But can you imagine one state where you can truly be yourself. You don’t have to worry about driving while black. You don’t have to worry about whether or not you will get admitted to college because the big state school have accepted enough black students this year. You don’t have to worry whether or not you are a token or whether your ideas are truly valued.

Where? How about the New South. Skeptical? We were too until we learned that according to census figures between 1990 and 2000 Georgia’s African American/Black population grew from 1,746,000 to 2,349,000. This was an increase of almost 35 percent. Much of this increase is the result of migration patterns. Only New York and Texas now have larger African American/Black populations. Georgia’s Black population surpassed both California and Florida in the last decade. The percentage increase was the largest of any state with a significant 1990 population of this minority group. (See gadata.org) The African American percentage of Georgia’s population rose from 27 percent to 28.7 percent. The highest level in fifty years.

Other contenders could be Mississippi and Alabama where the black population is both almost at 40% but you wouldn’t know it politically. Maryland also has a large African American middle class and growing black population and could be a contender. It also has the benefit of bordering the last U.S. colony which has a majority black population and government but without the benefit of representation in Congress. Washington, D.C.

However, its Georgia and Atlanta in particular that appears to be enjoying the biggest growth in African Americans. Atlanta is the birthplace of Martin Luther King, Jr, one of the greatest human rights leaders the world has ever seen. It is the home of two of the most influential African American institutions Spelman and Morehouse college. It even hosted the 1996 Olympic games. Atlanta also has a thriving music and entertainment industry which makes it also incredibly attractive.

Perhaps we do not have to encourage African Americans to move to a single state so as to solidify political strength. In the next 20 years or so Georgia may become that on its own. Perhaps with a new flag dawning the red black and green with a state song of Midnight Train to Georgia, and the ATL renamed to MLK City.