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BlackVoter.org
October 10, 2024
In a compelling piece for The Globe and Mail, Debra Thompson examines Vice President Kamala Harris's critical need for the resurrected Obama coalition as the U.S.
election looms. With former President Barack Obama stepping into the campaign spotlight to bolster Harris’s efforts, Thompson underscores the daunting challenge ahead.
The Obama coalition—a powerful blend of diverse voters—was pivotal to past Democratic victories, showcasing the strength of African Americans, Latinos, and young voters. However, recent trends indicate a worrying drift of essential groups away from the Democratic base, casting shadows on Harris's prospects.
The article highlights that while Harris holds a considerable lead among young voters, akin to Obama’s time, the actual turnout will be crucial. Thompson's insightful commentary raises the question of whether the camaraderie that fueled Obama's success can be recaptured in today's polarized political landscape.
Will the coalition rise again in time to support Harris? The clock is ticking.
In a captivating exploration of Ulysses S. Grant’s evolution, David S.
Reynolds reviews two thought-provoking books: John Reeves's Soldier of Destiny and Fergus M. Bordewich's Klan War.
These works dissect how Grant, initially steeped in a pro-slavery family legacy, transformed into a dedicated advocate for African American rights post-Civil War. Reeves chronicles Grant’s shaky stance on slavery and dubious decisions, while Bordewich highlights his tenacity in battling the brutal Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction, even as racial violence escalated.
Together, they paint a nuanced picture of a leader caught between the remnants of an old order and the urgent demands for equality. Grant’s journey reveals a complex interplay between personal beliefs and historical forces, showcasing his significant yet often overlooked role in the fight for civil rights.
As historians reevaluate Grant’s legacy, these books illuminate the struggles that shaped a nation and the critical importance of acknowledging hidden narratives in American history.
On October 10, 2024, HCN Global kicked off a dynamic civic participation campaign titled “Tu voto, nuestra voz” (Your vote, our voice), aimed at energizing diverse communities ahead of the November elections. This initiative resonates especially with Latino, Black, and LGBTQ+ voters, encouraging their engagement and education on the electoral process.
As the number of eligible Hispanic voters is projected to soar to 36.2 million, the campaign seeks to ensure these voices are heard by providing resources in both English and Spanish, fostering digital engagement, and emphasizing civic responsibilities.
Key components include multilingual outreach, social media initiatives, and insights on how voting impacts critical social issues like healthcare and education. With an expected 17.
5 million Latinx voters participating, many for the first time, this campaign is set to empower communities and create a lasting impact leading up to Election Day. Explore more at yourvoteourvoice.
Young African women lured by promises of adventure and educational opportunities in Russia have found themselves trapped in a grim reality: assembling drones for the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. These recruits, primarily from countries like Uganda and Kenya, answered social media ads touting free flights and good pay, only to discover they were working in a military production facility in Tatarstan.
Reports of broken promises, long hours, and unsafe working conditions flooded in, with many women facing constant surveillance and harsh treatment. Instead of the hospitality roles they envisioned, they are laboring under dangerous conditions and receiving less compensation than originally promised, leaving them feeling exploited.
As Russia escalates its drone manufacturing to support its war efforts, this troubling recruitment strategy raises significant ethical concerns about trafficking and labor rights, particularly as the reliance on inexperienced foreign workers continues to grow amid the conflict.
The Sentencing Project's "Locked Out 2024" report unveils that around 4 million Americans are still barred from voting due to felony convictions, a staggering 1.7% of the voting-age populace.
However, the good news is that this number has dropped by 31% since 2016 thanks to states starting to restore voting rights for those who’ve completed their sentences. Disenfranchisement hits communities of color hardest, with African Americans disenfranchised at over three times the rate of their white counterparts.
The report underscores the urgency for continued reforms to dismantle these systemic barriers as we gear up for the 2024 elections. It highlights disparities in state laws and calls out states with the most restrictive policies, stressing the need to ensure every voice is heard in our democracy.
"Locked Out 2024" champions the cause for restoring voting rights and promoting greater equity in our electoral processes.
As concerns grow about voter turnout in Detroit, the Kamala Harris campaign is ramping up efforts to connect with Black male voters in Michigan. Enlisting high-profile surrogates like NBA legend Magic Johnson and New York AG Tish James, the campaign aims to energize this critical demographic.
While predictions suggest Harris will secure Detroit, turnout is crucial—historically, high participation rates have enabled Democratic victories in the state. However, local activists have expressed frustration over the campaign's approach, claiming it sometimes feels patronizing and disconnected from grassroots organizations.
As Republican outreach attempts gain traction, Harris is working to engage not just Black men but also disaffected working-class white voters, underscoring the importance of her economic initiatives. With time running out before the election, it’s a race against the clock for Democrats to secure support in this pivotal battleground.
On October 9, the Dodd Impact’s Democracy and Dialogue Initiative, alongside UConn’s Undergraduate Student Government, hosted a vibrant dialogue on voting and voter participation. With the election just around the corner, students engaged in dynamic discussions about the critical issues of access and election integrity.
Through thought-provoking prompts—including historical insights on voting rights—the event encouraged participants to reflect on their voting experiences and explore ways to cultivate a more politically informed student body. Topics ranged from the meaning of being a "better voter" to strategies for enhancing voter turnout at UConn.
In small groups, attendees brainstormed actionable steps towards building a more robust democracy, including expanding civic education for newcomers. The event concluded with mingling over light refreshments, leaving students equipped with knowledge and motivation to make a meaningful impact on Election Day, November 5.
In a nail-biting race for Pennsylvania’s 19 Electoral College votes, former President Donald Trump narrowly leads Vice President Kamala Harris by 2 points, according to an InsiderAdvantage poll. Trump garners 49% support compared to Harris's 47%, with independent, senior, and African American voter backing notably bolstering his campaign.
As the election draws near, experts emphasize the significance of voter turnout and enthusiasm, noting that while Democrats hold a slight enthusiasm edge, the gap is closing. With the contest remaining razor-thin—recent polls have shown candidates in a virtual tie—both Trump and Harris are ramping up their efforts to secure every vital vote in the state.
In a pivotal moment for Alabama politics, voters in the newly redrawn Congressional District Two will head to the polls this November, marking their first chance to select a representative. This change, a result of a Supreme Court battle aimed at enhancing African American representation in Congress, is crucial for Democratic Rep.
Terri Sewell, the only Democrat in Alabama's congressional delegation. The article follows Sewell through a typical day, highlighting her role amid contentious debates on military funding and the struggle for equitable representation.
She casts her first "no" vote on a defense budget, reflecting her commitment to diversity in the armed forces, while also advocating for the necessity of greater representation for Alabamians in Congress. Competing with Republican candidates, including the well-funded Caroleene Dobson, the outcome of this election could reshape the political landscape in Alabama, emphasizing the importance of securing fair representation for all.
Mary Ellen Pleasant, often hailed as the "Mother of Civil Rights" in San Francisco, lived a life marked by monumental achievements and scandalous misinterpretations. Born into slavery, she rose to wealth as an entrepreneur and fiercely advocated for racial equality, even challenging segregation on public transport.
Yet, societal racism twisted her legacy, with the media depicting her as a "voodoo queen," transforming her from a hero to a villain. The article reveals how her contributions to civil rights were overshadowed by sensational narratives, ultimately questioning who gets to tell history's stories.
Using a ghost tour as a vehicle for discussion, the article emphasizes the need to reclaim Pleasant's true legacy in a world prone to distorting the tales of marginalized figures. In doing so, it invites us to reflect on the complexities of memory and recognition in the fabric of our shared history.