From Liberal Detroit Roots to ‘Black Conservative’ — One Man’s Unexpected Journey to Restoring Love
- Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:28pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Torrie Robinson, a recently unemployed father of two living in Detroit, never thought he‘d be able to join Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Love” event in Dallas this week.
When he took a break between searching for jobs to dial into the Glenn Beck Program on July 11, he just wanted to share his newfound inspiration and enthusiasm for conservative and free market ideology, which he said he learned since discovering Beck about four years ago.
Watch Torrie’s first call into the Glenn Beck Program below:
Robinson took it as a sign of faith when he was put on the air to talk to Beck. Then he got an even bigger surprise when Beck offered to fly Robinson and his family from Detroit to Dallas to join the tens-of-thousands of people from all different regional, cultural, and professional backgrounds converging in Texas to serve the needy and rally around a pledge to “build a better America for us all through service and love.”

Robinson, who will be in Dallas for Restoring Love, explains how he became a conservative. (Photo: Submitted)
As he prepared for the trip to Dallas, Robinson caught up with TheBlaze on Wednesday to describe where he’s coming from, and what he hopes to gain from this “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
(Editor’s Note: Torrie Robinson will appear this evening with Glenn Beck on The Blaze TV/GBTV, which also will be broadcasting Restoring Love exclusively this Saturday.)
Robinson said he grew up in the Brightmoor area of Detroit “during the crack-era of the 1980s and 1990s,” where there were not many others like the “black conservative” who Robinson says he is today.
“I never heard people talk about that where I’m from, growing up in Detroit” Robinson recalled about the first time he heard Beck discuss socialism or concerns about the long-term fiscal impact of the policies of Barack Obama. Robinson said he started following Beck around the 2008 election, when he noticed that Beck was one of the only commentators not saying the same warm things about Barack Obama.
“Glenn Beck was the only one saying something different about Obama. That his policy will lead us as a country to go broke,” the 41-year-old Robinson said Wednesday. “I first questioned ‘this is the greatest country on earth, how could we ever go broke?’”
Taking what he learned from the show, along with his own research, Robinson told The Blaze that he realized that government programs, and the culture of dependency he witnessed growing up, were negative forces bringing down his community and the country as a whole.
“Listening to what Glenn was saying clicked to me about what was going on around here,” Robinson said, humbly admitting that his mother was one of many on welfare in his neighborhood, and he grew up with his two brothers and no father or uncles while living around his mother, grandfather and aunts. Robinson described that with government programs so readily available, it created this attitude that fathers and the traditional family structure was not necessary as long as government assistance continued to come in.
“When I grew up I realized I can’t wait for government to come around,” he said of his decision to start working at age 15.
Robinson admitted that he voted for Obama in 2008, “wanting to see what this guy is about” and having heard very little about politics other than very pro-Democratic Party sentiments from his mother’s generation who were convinced that “Republicans don’t care about us.”
By 2010, Robinson said his politics had completely changed, and today his new knowledge and inspiration from the show has pushed him to open his life to God for the first time, in addition to completing his GED. In early June, though, Robinson lost his job at a nearby hospital where he had worked for over six-and-a-half years. Robinson believes his discussions among fellow employees about right-to-work laws and his questioning of SEIU stewards led to his termination.
“SEIU is a big part of why companies in Michigan are leaving,” Robinson said, claiming that local union stewards encouraged employees to “occupy” outside large corporations in Detroit. “That’s not what America’s about and how it was built.”
Nonetheless, Robinson is excited to come down to Dallas with his family this week to help others and be inspired. He is hopeful that he can bring what he learns back home because “we need to spread more love up here in Detroit.”
“I wasn’t around for the Martin Luther King ‘I have a dream’ speech, but this event will change my life and I will come back a totally different person,” he explained. “This event is bigger than me. I come from a small city that has had a miserable year. Going to this event gives me hope that we can come together for the right reasons and throw race and economic backgrounds — throw all that out the window — and we can all have the America that the founding fathers intended.”
Torrie will be joined in Dallas by his wife, Meco, and 3-month-old daughter Jasmyn. Torrie has another 13-year-old daughter, Alexandria, who will not be able to make it.
UPDATE: Robinson’s interview with Glenn Beck is now live and can be watched below:





















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Comments (135)
GoodStuff
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:01pmGood interview until Glenn starts calling him “brother”. Oy vey.
Report Post »lvamervet
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:26pmAre WE not ALL Brothers???
Report Post »Muddywood
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:32pmwhy do you have a problem with that?
Report Post »LemonyFresh
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:35pmEspecially if he is a brother in Christ. I call my black brothers of Christ brother all the time.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:23pm@LemonyFresh
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:35pm
Especially if he is a brother in Christ. I call my black brothers of Christ brother all the time
Report Post »****
As do I! We had a joyous time recently when the heart of our church who is one of very few blacks, saw the husband we’d been praying for, for many years, accept The Lord, just before he was ushered into Heaven. At his funeral the primarily black church she attended when visiting with her sister in a neighboring town, and ours had a joint service and time of rejoicing together that their prayers and ours for this man were answered. We jointly pray for and love and attempt to help her family, (and mine now as we’ve both been left behind to keep on praying for friends and family.)
In my friend and Sister-In-Christ’s family, I find the equivalent love that I hope she finds in mine.
docgreen
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:27pmYeah, but then you look at Chicago and the muslims and rahme emanuel saying its ok, just don’t shoot the children? Whats up with that? People obama and the other muslims are going after these kids, why? Think about these kids, if you were to offer them all the Drugs they want to Sell they could, all the Sex they could have when they take slaves, and all the possesions and money they could have if they just people. And all they have to do is submit to islam! Anyone see a problem here? This is what Louis Ferryqon is doing. To bad we couldn’t have more people like this man above. I’m very afraid for america; I wonder how many Gang thugs are out there? Could you imagine the Bloodshed in the US if they get these kids to Join islam? It be a Blood Bath, and this is how they’re converting them. The problem with this; they turn them into killing machine/terrorists. We need to worry about this and figure out how to stop it. Can you imagine obama and holder arming their militia to create chaos in the streets? People we need to wake up, Chaos is coming to America Via our muslim president and his admin! Its a Militia he’s after and Louis Ferrykhan is helping him!
Report Post »shakedowncrews
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:51pmyeah, did you hear the caller say he was “black balled”? clearly that was racist!
for the love of Pete, you’ve got problems. I’ve heard Glenn call white people “brother”, so I think you’re just looking for issues.
Report Post »JesterJay
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 2:49amAll my friends are my Brothers Sisters Mothers Fathers, maybe if looked at one another as family things would start getting better. I would die to protect my family.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 6:53amThats all it takes to turn you off? Really? Brother? I dont get it at all, whats the issue?
Report Post »BoyScout_Mom
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:58pmWow, Torrie. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story (a little teared up). You give me hope.
Welcome to Texas! Hope to see you there!
P.S. – How do we Clone you?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:22pmThere is a neighborhood in Ft Myers Florida that has had double the murder rate + for the first half of the year. Some in the community (yes it is predomently black) are now calling for people (witnesses) to HELP the police .. they are even calling for the community to take the initiative and stop blaming the police and take the community back from the thugs. I believe people are waking up .. and taking a stand .. this is not what the Dems want .. they feed on victims .. when you fight back you are no longer a victim.
Report Post »tcseacliff
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:32pmthat is the real key. many blacks i have had the pleasure to work with side by side, are hard pressed to change many minds unless we can increase their numbers. if you watch toda’ys black panthers and guys like van Jones and George Souros (who likes to fund anti-democracy groups), this will be difficult. I just hope the black communiity would finally wake up and realize that, we understand the difference between afro american and thugs. Watch Chris rock, he gets it too.!
Report Post »doomytram
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:33pmWe spend too much money on gov’t failures….that goes down the toilet. (War on Drugs, War on Poverty, War on Edumacation, War on Healthcare, War on the Environment)
We are in serious hole.. it’s like half the people take only and then the other half that work (Americans) make $28,000 a year, spend $42,000 a year, and have $180,000 in credit card debt, but we can’t file bankruptcy. Why aren’t everybody with half a brain conservative?
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on July 29, 2012 at 10:45amWonderful story. Thank you Glenn for bringing Torrie to Dallas. I’d be so happy to call him my brother in Christ. The truth does set you free.
Report Post »yanki161
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:53pmThat’s an inspiration and a hopeful sign.
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 8:05pmI heard Torrie last week on the radio program and now to listen and see him and his family is inspiring. However, his brothers back home and her boss (UAW) are not going to be happy with the interview. I see them moving to TX out of necessity. Be with like minded people Torrie and your life will flourish and be blessed.
Report Post »edie1945
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:43pmHi As Beck always says….“do your own homework”. Your “true” heart will never steer you wrong. We all choose our lifes’ roads. Some just do a much better job than others.
Report Post »Comcast3
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:32pmOne more thing…get the hell out of Detroit! Try Texas or Utah….start over!!!
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:40pmRight on, and maybe he is the George Washington of today that America needs right now. Beck has mentioned on his show that we need someone.
Report Post »Legalette
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:05pmBeing from the suburbs of Detroit, I prefer that he bring back the love and knowledge and spread it all around Detroit. I was very moved by this story … it has restored my faith that there is hope to make Detroit a great place to be again.
Report Post »Leader1776
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 5:03pmAlso, originally from a Detroit suburb (but born and raised IN Detroit), I, too, hope Mr. Robinson returns and becomes a guiding light for his fellow citizens in the region. They need it.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 6:45pmI live in Michigan and am starting to see Romney signs popping up all over.
Report Post »Comcast3
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:30pmI remember this phone call, and it really touched my heart! Glad that Torrie thinks for himself and has seen the light. If I had money to spare, I would gladly hook my black brother up with a Roku box and one year subscription to GBTV. Hope Glen will offer a hand-up.
Report Post »From racist, mostly white, Utah (according to LIB media).
Bless you, Torrie, and your family!
freedomofspeech
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:27pmI stand w/ you brother. Have fun and learn well.
Report Post »liljoe62
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:10pmAdd your comments
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:33pmI applaud the fact that he came around!
Its not that republicans don’t care about you, its the fact that democrats only care enough about you to subsidize you the rest of your life and thats a huge problem and waste of life, productivity. I guess we have to make excuses as to why we remain in “chains” and therefore bondage. The road to success is paved with stones that say “I Can”.
Report Post »liljoe62
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:10pmHe who can admit his mistakes ,and learns from them, is far better off than those who dont! Liljoe62 7-26-2012 Carry on, the righteous!
Report Post »spirited
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:09pmWhat a happy story.
Report Post »HopeInChrist
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:50pmThank you for your heart, perseverance and your willingness to stand against the tide of influence Mr. Robinson. You have blessed me and my hope in this great nation.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:04pm“Glenn Beck was the only one saying something different about Obama. That his policy will lead us as a country to go broke,” the 41-year-old Robinson said Wednesday.
Actually, you know what causes a country to go broke? Starting a few trillion dollar wars and at the same time dramatically lowering tax rates. In other words, increase expenses and reduce revenue. That’s what causes a country to go broke – same thing that causes you to go broke. It’s pretty simple really.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:23pmWhat started one of the wars was Airplanes being crashed into the Trade Center and other bldgs by terrorist.
The USA going broken wasn’t helped by overspending and losing a lot of the money on bad investment. private business purchase (car business) and then writing off a lot of their debt to help unions that helped in the Presidents election, sending money to Brazil, not having the pipeline from Canada, and other waste of money. With a bad economy we have a loss of employment that helps pay into the revenue. If the President hadn’t rammed that Obamacare in and worked on the economy instead there would have been better employment. The government doesn’t bring in revenue except through the working taxpayers.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:24pmI take it that you have not taken calculus based economics in college or forgotten the course material. Otherwise you would know how the Laffer curve works.
I have seen the psychology behind the Laffer curve 1st hand. My spouse was here less than a decade before they caught onto the fact that the more you make the bigger the bite out of each successive dollar is. The stated why work m ore than 40 hours a week, the government will just grab so much as to not make it worth it.
Lower tax rates does not mean lower revenue. It depends on where you are currently at on the Laffer curve. Go back to your handlers & get a better script JZS.
Not going to war does not mean that you will save money. It means that you will have an increasingly worse strategic position & options.
Not having a Navy patrolling the sea lanes does not mean that you can pocket that money. It just means that the cost of transporting goods goes up due to piracy, admiralty insurance, danger pay bonuses etc.
Not knocking Saddam out in 2003 means he gets further entrenched, keeps sending out agents (to assassinate George H W Bush & other activities) wait for another opportunity to aggress & build up their arsenals & allies.
If they find Iraqi WMDs in Syria in October or thereabouts I hope you take a good long look at yourself in the mirror.
Report Post »SocialistSlayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:33pmJZS – Acorn called and they want their Nut back! Go Troll elsewhere!
Report Post »Ben__Franklin
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:38pmActually, you know what causes a country to go broke? Starting a few trillion dollar “wars”….” errr I mean a a 3 trillion dollar Health Care Programs, A 100 plus billion bailing companies that are donators to your campaigns, 80 billion pandering your union bosses, 1 trillion plus on stimulating an economy that your polices are strangling, 100 plus Billion on failed green company start ups,……need I go on JZS? You boy Obama has blew more borrowed money in three years than pretty much all Administrations combined.
I know you do not get it, you still believe the Obamacare Mandate to purchase health insurance is the same as buying Car Insurance. Good luck with that mind of yours its not serving you too well.
Report Post »SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:39pm@ JZS…do yourself a favor and go to this link and educate yourself about the Bush era tax cuts please….Thank you.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/feb/3/bush-tax-cuts-boosted-federal-revenue/
Report Post »jzs
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 9:43pmWALKABOUT, I‘m so glad you’ve taken calculus based economics and understand the logic behind the Laffer curve. But you should have taken an economics course instead, which would tell you something in contrary to your apocryphal example.
Reagan cut taxes. That was “Reagonomics” and “trickle down.” You say, “Lower tax rates does not mean lower revenue.” Yes it does. I understand the circuitous logic that lower taxes grows businesses who therefore pay more taxes etc. But that doesn’t actually happen in the real world does it? Reagan lowered taxes, the deficit grew and even Reagan increased taxes 18 times to try to address the ballooning deficit. He spoke about the rich paying more of their share to address the growing deficit. Total Laffer Curve fail.
Of course Bush lowered taxes too in a big way. Twice. That’s an experiment in my mind. Let’s try it and see what happens. Job growth? Zero. Bush had the worst job growth in the 20th century. Growth of the economy? Nothing, same thing. Increased revenues? No, for every dollar in taxes cut, the deficit grew by a dollar. And the deficit skyrocketed.
Walkabout, take comfort in the idea that you understand calculus based economics. Sorry, in the real world it doesn’t work. Cut taxes a dollar, cut revenue a dollar. That’s what has happened in the past and what will happen in the future. America has been there and done that. It doesn’t work.
Walkabout, there is a real world.
Report Post »bbhouston
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 8:10amJZ…..Average unemployment rate under Bush was 5.3%. Its averaged 9.3% under Obama. That says it all. Bush took over after the Clinton stock mkt bubble crash and had to deal with the economic blow caused by 9/11(most don’t understand the devastation there because things were dealt with so effectively). Never heard Bush blame anybody for anything yet he kept unemployment at what is essentially full employment levels. Obama has done nothing but blame everybody and everything for the post WW2 record high unemployment rates that he has ruled over. His policies are failures. In November he will be thrown out because of that. Now JZ…go ahead and follow your fearless leaders lead…..respond to this by blaming Bush…..
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:40pmIt takes a big man (or woman) to admit that their previous beliefs were wrong…
You’re a true man Sir… Do your best… Work Hard… and somehow you WILL be rewarded..
Keep spreading the word… Not ALL whites (or conservatives) are racist.. That is only a very small fraction of the people…
I am very proud of this man, and wish him only the most success he can attain…
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:37pmI smell a rat.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:28pmMaybe you need a shower.
Report Post »amtsoundsmith
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:40pmDo you live by Barney Frank?
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on July 27, 2012 at 6:58amTED, This guy is no rat, no way, no how. Do you really no ability to judge a mans character? I say Torrie on Glenns show last night, this guy ‘gets it’.
Report Post »lfrench
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:27pmI hope more blacks start realizing that the democratic party have sold them a bill of goods…..i hope that torrie and his family can start a life in texas and get out of that hell hole!!!
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:44pmFor a few hundred years, the democrats have been keepin minorities “down”, so THEY can brag about how “down” they are and how they “prommissed” each election THEY would “get them out from ”under the MAN”. Then, after each election is won, the next day the “help” never comes. Then the Dems tells them about how “whitey” is ALL your problems…untill these lemmings are necessarily neaded for the next election. They never mention that (D)BYRD was a GRANDMASTER of the KKK. and at the time the Dems-in-Control in Congress were almost all WHITEY.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 4:29pmAMEN
good luck Torrie
OMG 2012
Report Post »Murkman
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:20pmBoy that evil racist Glenn Beck. This just proves it beyond a shadow of doubt. He’s flying a black man to Texas and expects him to work for him. (-;
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:24pmPickin cotton, no doubt!
(Wait, do they have cotton in Texas?)
Report Post »Stratosaurus
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:49pmYes, 1138, we DO grow cotton in Texas, but we use contract harvesters to pick the bolls. No union cotton-pickers here.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 3:10pmYou forgot to capitalize the him. Torrie will be working for God by helping others. I am so proud of him and God Bless Torrie and his family as they are willing to help others while othes sit around not helping themselves or anybody. I hope he gets a job soon and may his life be full of love and happiness.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:18pmNow this man is intelligent. This type man is not who Obama will be able to use as a socialist tool.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:18pmIt’s nice to see some success stories. There is so much failure around us.
I hope you land a great job and live the life you hope for.
You will make a positive difference in the lives of those around you.
I’m certain you already have.
Kudos, Mr. Robinson. Keep asking questions.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:01pmYup others best wise up cause Sugar Daddy’s goin broke.
Report Post »ElChupaCabraDeUSA
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:55pmI’ll admit that my first thought is that this guy will get eaten alive by the progressive/union/race baiting machine in Detroit and his only chance to make a good life for himself and his family would be to leave. Then he reminded me what it means to pledge your sacred honor to something you believe in. Torrie is a 21ts century American Patriot! Good luck and God’s speed.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:21pmI regularly give Illegal Immigrants grief asking them why they are proud to be Mexican but then leave Mexico to come here? Why not fix Mexico and help ALL your neighbors, not just yourself.
Same deal. Stay and do the hard work. It’s easy to leave it to others and it never gets done…
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:36pmTHX are comparing Mexican illegals to this man going to Texas??????????
Report Post »earthbonz
Posted on July 28, 2012 at 1:33pmYes. The comparison is accurate.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:52pm@LIBSALWAYSLIE
Report Post »Looks like Dick got the boot. That’s a good thing as Martha would say
LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:05pmYup, good riddance. I look at his other postings, all evil garbage.
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:17pmWho was Dick?
Report Post »kitchenjoe
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:45pmNo matter who you refer to, unless it is the devil himself, (and I mean the devil, not a person), you are out of place, less you reap the reward of your hate.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:27pm“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”
Report Post »– Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146
MeteoricLimbo
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:40pmNow that was very touching.
Report Post »A. James
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:39pmOf course, the first half of this article is more about how great and compassionate the all mighty Glenn Beck is. Either way, congrats to Torrie for having the courage to think for himself rather than having a group tell you how to think.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:47pmA.J. dont know what article you read, but I dont see all the crap you say is there. Adjust your medication dude……….
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:39pmCan’t wait to hear the horrible, hateful names the Lefties will call Mr. Robinson. They’re so Tolerant.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:36pmTorrie, stay in Texas. There is nothing in Detroit for you. Good luck!
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:16pmCome on G there’s plenty here in motown,murder,robbery,rape,drugs,high unemployment,horrible public schools,you know the essentials for a city running smoothly by moronic progressives. :)
Report Post »Stratosaurus
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 2:53pmAnybody willing to think is welcome here. Mr. Robinson might be able to find a job here, but be warned. Summers in Texas can be murderously hot (this coming from somebody who grew up near the Great Lakes), but DAMN, if the winters don’t make up for the heat.
Report Post »All American American
Posted on July 26, 2012 at 8:31pm@Progressiveslayer you forget the call to prayer 5x a day.
Report Post »