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BLACKVOTER.ORG #101
Empowering Awareness: Stay Grounded With Blackvoter.org Newsletter!Empowering voices, driving change. 🗳️ Advocate for justice, equity, and representation at BlackVoter.org. Join us as we harness the power of the ballot to shape a future that reflects our values and aspirations. #BlackVoter #EmpowerChange Publish Time
BlackVoter.org
July 18, 2024
This Week in Black History highlights significant events and figures in African American history. On July 17, 1794, Richard Allen dedicated the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first all-Black denomination not affiliated with a larger White congregation.
In 1942, Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, was born in Kentucky. Ali would go on to become a boxing champion and a major opponent of the Vietnam War.
On July 18, 1863, Sergeant William H. Carney became the first Black person to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in battle.
Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, was born on July 18, 1918. Mandela would spend 27 years in prison before becoming the first Black president of South Africa in 1994.
These are just a few of the important moments in African American history commemorated during this week.
Pressure is mounting on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, with prominent Democrats privately urging him to reconsider his candidacy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have reportedly both spoken separately with Biden, warning him that he cannot defeat Donald Trump and risks harming the broader Democratic Party.
While Biden has publicly stated that he intends to stay in the race, sources suggest that he may be becoming more receptive to concerns about his prospects and could drop out as soon as this weekend. The pressure comes as Biden grapples with a Covid-19 diagnosis and declining support within his own party, while Trump's popularity continues to increase following an assassination attempt.
In this article, the author reflects on the state of American politics and the role of the media in shaping public perception. They argue that the news media has prioritized entertainment and ratings over accuracy and responsibility, leading to the rise of absurdity in political reporting.
The author points to the example of CNN's panel approach, which they believe allows misinformation to go unchallenged and contributes to a decline in the quality of political discourse. They suggest that this focus on sensationalism has created a circus-like atmosphere in politics, where people are more interested in having their biases confirmed than being genuinely informed.
The author questions the value of engaging with this nonsense and suggests that there are alternative ways to stay informed. They conclude by asserting that American politics, and the culture surrounding it, has "jumped the shark" and become a farce.
In his first campaign appearance since the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, Joe Biden called for a ban on assault rifles, including the model used in the attack. Biden, who resumed campaigning after a brief pause, criticized Trump's divisive rhetoric and urged Americans to "lower the temperature" of political discourse.
During his speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), Biden accused Trump of spreading false information about the economy, particularly regarding the record-low unemployment rate for black Americans. Gun control has been a central issue for Biden, who was instrumental in passing an assault weapons ban in 1994.
While he has faced strong Republican opposition to further gun control measures, Biden remains committed to pushing for stricter regulations on firearms. Trump, for his part, has declared that he would roll back all of Biden's gun rules if elected in November.
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Louisiana voters have their eyes on the upcoming US Representative race, particularly in the Sixth District. This district was created to meet the requirement of having two majority Black districts, and political analyst Clancy Dubos believes that it will receive a lot of attention both at the local and national level.
If a Democrat wins the seat, it could potentially narrow the Republican majority in the US House, as they currently only have a three or four-member majority. Additionally, Congressman Troy Carter, who represents the New Orleans area, is also up for re-election, and Dubos speculates that Carter may face opposition from other Democrats.
The voter turnout is expected to be high for the primary race, which is good news for other races on the ballot, including the Orleans Parish School Board. The qualification window for candidates closes on Friday.
Former President Donald Trump made fiery comments about immigrants during his visit to a Black church and a MAGA event in Detroit. Speaking to a crowd of conservative activists, Trump blamed immigrants for stealing jobs and causing harm to the Black and Hispanic populations.
He referred to them as "animals" and claimed that they were inflicting "tremendous harm." Trump's comments on immigration highlight his unapologetic message and are aimed at solidifying his support among both conservative voters and Black voters, as he seeks to deny President Joe Biden a second term.
Trump's visit to the Black church and the MAGA event shows his attempts to appeal to different political forces in Michigan, a critical battleground state in the upcoming election. While Black voters have been a key base for Democrats, there are signs of disappointment among them, offering an opportunity for Trump to gain their support.
Grassroots groups in Florida have halted voter registration drives due to a new state law that many say unfairly targets minority and younger voters. Third-party organizations, such as the League of Women Voters of Florida and the NAACP, have historically played a crucial role in enrolling hard-to-reach voters, but they have suspended their registration drives this year out of fear and uncertainty.
The law, spearheaded by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature, imposes steep financial penalties on groups that fail to meet strict deadlines and requirements. Critics argue that the law disproportionately affects marginalized communities, with data showing that a majority of Black and Hispanic voters registered in Florida were assisted by third-party groups.
The law is part of a series of measures enacted by Florida Republicans since the 2020 election, which they claim are aimed at increasing confidence in elections but have been accused of limiting access to voting. Despite a court victory blocking one of the law's harshest penalties, many grassroots organizations remain cautious about resuming their registration efforts, citing the potential financial risk.
J.D.
Vance, Donald Trump's pick for vice president, has had a tumultuous life filled with ups and downs. Here are 27 interesting facts about him.
Vance has gone through several name changes throughout his life, starting as James Donald Bowman, then becoming James David Hamel before finally settling on James David Vance. Growing up, he longed for a father figure and was deeply affected when his father left when he was six years old.
His relationship with his mother was also challenging, as she was married five times and often subjected him to abuse. Despite his troubled upbringing, Vance was raised by blue-dog Democrats and had a love for music, particularly Black Sabbath, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin.
These facts provide a glimpse into Vance's life and experiences, revealing the person behind the politician.
The Republican National Convention (RNC) is showcasing prominent African-American leaders as part of its outreach efforts for the Black vote. The convention programming included a panel discussion at the state party's Black Community Center and an event hosted by the Black Republican Mayors Association.
The events come as Republicans try to position themselves as a big-tent party that welcomes all. Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina highlighted the need for conservative approaches to urban renewal, emphasizing the role of Opportunity Zones in lifting not just African-Americans but all Americans out of poverty.
Wisconsin has 120 Opportunity Zones out of nearly 9,000 nationwide. However, Milwaukee's top elected officials, both of whom are Black men, have expressed skepticism over the effectiveness of Republican outreach efforts.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson said that people in his community know President Joe Biden's agenda has been delivering results for Black people, while County Executive David Crowley said he hasn't seen any "ground game" in terms of Republican outreach to Black voters.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a Democrat attending the 2024 RNC, discussed issues related to economic opportunity, racism, and outreach to Black voters in a segregated community. He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of opportunity zones in benefiting Black Milwaukeeans and Black businesses.
Crowley also criticized Senator Tim Scott for denying the existence of racism while speaking at the convention, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the reality of racism in communities like Milwaukee County. He emphasized the need for Republicans to not only have conversations with Black communities but also truly listen to the concerns and struggles of Black business owners and residents.
Crowley's comments highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Black voters and the importance of giving them a platform to voice their concerns and experiences.
Despite the general perception that America’s youth predominantly align themselves with liberal ideologies, there appears to be a growing number of teenagers who are throwing their support behind the Republican Party and President Donald Trump. Many of these young voters cite their attraction to Trump as being based on his relatability and reflection of their personal values.
While the majority of young voters continue to support the Democratic Party, Republicans are confident that they can make inroads with this demographic. Recent data from Pew Research shows that the Democratic Party’s advantage among voters under 30 has decreased from 30 points in 2016 to 24 points in 2020.
Republican strategies to target young voters include inviting social media influencers to speak at conventions and advocating for issues like college affordability and economic growth.
The Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ, a well-known Milwaukee church choir, performed with country singer Brian Kelley at the Republican National Convention. The performance of "American Spirit" honored fraternity members from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill who protected the American flag after it was torn down during a pro-Palestinian protest on campus.
Brian Kelley, a Florida-born country singer with strong Christian roots, is a former member of Florida Georgia Line. The Holy Redeemer church, located at 3500 W.
Mother Daniels Way, has been a central institution in Milwaukee's Black community since it was founded in 1986 by Pastor Sedgwick Daniels. Following his passing, Dr.
Valerie Daniels-Carter, a highly educated businesswoman and minister of music at the church for 37 years, has taken over leadership. The church provides various services to the community, including a Christian Academy, a charter school, and a theater for artistic expression.
President Joe Biden's response to criticism following a disappointing debate performance was a powerful statement that resonated with many Black Americans: "When we get knocked down, we get back up." This simple phrase captures the fighting spirit ingrained in the culture and religion of Black Americans, who have endured countless setbacks and obstacles throughout history.
Biden's call for support is directed towards those who have been left out, lost, and locked out by the system, particularly the elderly, low-wage workers, and those in need of affordable healthcare. It is a call to rally against the common enemy of Trumpism, which threatens voter suppression, affirms conservative agendas, and punishes marginalized groups.
The article emphasizes the importance of Black Americans standing up against Trump and his policies, reminding readers of Trump's derogatory remarks towards Black people and history of discriminatory actions. At the same time, it encourages unity among all oppressed groups and the need for collective action to create lasting change.