Synopsis
Con Job: How Democrats Gave Us Crime, Sanctuary Cities, Abortion Profiteering, and Racial Division by Crystal Wright is a provocative and polemical critique of the Democratic Party’s policies and their impact on American society, particularly within the Black community. Published in 2016 by Regnery Publishing, the book reflects Wright’s perspective as a self-described “Conservative Black Chick,” a Black woman, and a Republican living in Democrat-dominated Washington, D.C. Drawing on her background as a media commentator, blogger, and communications consultant, Wright argues that the Democratic Party has systematically betrayed Black voters, who have overwhelmingly supported it for over fifty years. She contends that this loyalty has yielded detrimental outcomes, including rising incarceration rates, declining marriage rates, failing schools, and economic stagnation in Black communities. Wright, a former Obama supporter in 2008, positions herself as a disillusioned insider who now seeks to expose what she calls the “liberal con job” perpetuated by Democrats, whom she accuses of posing as compassionate while enacting policies that harm the very communities they claim to champion.
The book is structured around thematic chapters that tackle specific issues Wright attributes to Democratic governance. She begins with crime, arguing that liberal policies have fostered lawlessness, particularly in inner cities, by prioritizing lenient criminal justice approaches over public safety. She points to “sanctuary cities” as a prime example, claiming these policies shield undocumented immigrants, including criminals, at the expense of American citizens’ safety. Wright also critiques the Democratic Party’s support for Planned Parenthood, which she labels as “abortion profiteering,” alleging that it disproportionately targets Black communities and profits from the destruction of unborn lives. Her chapters on racial division and identity politics assert that Democrats exploit race to maintain political power, fostering envy and division rather than unity, and perpetuating a narrative of victimhood that stifles progress. She argues that policies like welfare expansion and lax immigration enforcement have led to economic dependency and cultural erosion, particularly in Black neighborhoods, while accusing Democrats of ignoring the breakdown of the family unit and promoting low expectations for minority communities.
Wright’s narrative is deeply personal, weaving in her own story as a Black conservative who faced backlash for challenging the liberal status quo. With a B.A. in English from Georgetown University and an M.A. in fine arts from Virginia Commonwealth University, she brings a communicator’s flair to her arguments, blending data, anecdotes, and sharp rhetoric. Her appendix includes a personal story that contextualizes her ideological shift, detailing her frustration with the Democratic Party’s failure to deliver tangible improvements for Black Americans. The book also critiques specific Democratic practices, such as alleged corruption and the use of mob violence or riots as political tools, which Wright claims Democrats tacitly endorse to maintain control. She frames the 2016 presidential election as a critical moment for Americans to reject these policies, positioning her book as a wake-up call for voters to reconsider their allegiance to the Democratic Party.
While Con Job has garnered praise from conservative figures like Michelle Malkin, who calls it a “searing indictment” of liberal policies, and Brad Thor, who hails Wright as a “combat-tested gladiator” for liberty, it has also faced criticism for its polemical tone and selective use of evidence. Wright’s arguments rely heavily on her interpretation of social trends and policy outcomes, which may resonate with conservative readers but risk alienating those who see her claims as oversimplified or lacking nuance. For instance, her portrayal of sanctuary cities and Planned Parenthood may not fully engage with counterarguments about their intended benefits or complexities. Nonetheless, the book’s 304 pages are written with a direct, conversational style, making it accessible to a broad audience. Available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook formats (narrated by Wright herself), Con Job is both a political manifesto and a personal testament to Wright’s journey from Obama supporter to conservative critic, urging readers to question the Democratic Party’s legacy and its impact on America’s future.