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- BLACKVOTER.ORG #108
BLACKVOTER.ORG #108
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 31, 2024
The article discusses the connection between immigration and race in the United States. It highlights the increasing popularity of the "great replacement theory," which suggests that Democrats support unfettered immigration to replace "real Americans" with Latin Americans.
The article explains that immigration has always been connected to race in America, with historical examples of naturalization being limited to white individuals. Currently, the focus is on immigrants from South America, and there is a fear of demographic change among conservative whites.
The article also touches on the branding of the Republicans as "weird" and Vice President Kamala Harris as having a "fun" image. It suggests that the Democrats strategically use these labels to portray Trump and his supporters as out of touch with America's values, while Harris appeals to younger voters and represents a vision of the future.
Overall, the article emphasizes the racial dynamics and cultural anxieties surrounding immigration in the US.
Civil Rights Movement Freedom Riders Charles Person and Joan Browning spoke at a conference in Atlanta, urging younger activists to encourage young people to vote. The two activists, who rode buses into the Deep South in 1961 to desegregate interstate transportation, donated their archives to Emory University.
Person emphasized the importance of looking beyond any one issue and focusing on the greater good, even when feeling disillusioned. Browning, now in her 80s, expressed optimism about the country's future despite setbacks to legislation they fought for.
However, some young activists expressed frustration and uncertainty about politicians not addressing their needs or listening to them. Person reminded them not to give up, emphasizing that the future is in their hands and that change takes time.
A recent Supreme Court ruling on congressional redistricting has raised concerns about voting rights in the United States. The ruling, which upheld a South Carolina congressional map that was declared to be "illegal racial gerrymandering," has set a precedent that gives partisan state legislatures more power in shaping congressional districts.
This decision, along with another ruling in Louisiana that boosted Black voting power, represents a conservative shift in the Supreme Court's approach to redistricting. The court's rulings have the potential to make it harder for voters to challenge gerrymandering in court and protect their voting rights.
By limiting lower federal court involvement in redistricting, the Supreme Court has given states increased opportunity to gerrymander, potentially leading to unfair representation and limiting the power of minority voters.
Former President Donald Trump is set to attend the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention in Chicago. In a statement released by his campaign, Trump will participate in a question and answer session focused on the most pressing issues facing the Black community.
The campaign highlighted Trump's policies that it claims benefited Black Americans during his first term in office. This appearance at the convention is part of Trump's broader strategy to reach out to areas outside of his traditional support base.
President Joe Biden has seen a decline in favorability among Black voters since taking office, but the race against Trump has been altered by Biden's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, who would make history as the first Black woman and first South Asian American to be elected president if she wins in November.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is choosing to stay out of the presidential race, encouraging voters to do their own research and make their own decisions. In an interview with Time magazine, Mahomes said, "I want people to use their voice, whoever they believe in.
I want them to do the research." Mahomes, who was named the Most Valuable Player in this year's Super Bowl, joined LeBron James's More Than a Vote campaign in order to increase African American voter turnout in the 2020 election.
While he has not publicly endorsed anyone for the upcoming election, Mahomes did join President Biden alongside his teammates after winning the Super Bowl in 2023. Mahomes is not the only public figure choosing to stay out of the race, as actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson also recently stated that he will not be endorsing anyone for this year's election.
Episode 3 of The Black Ballot, a docuseries exploring the history of African Americans voting, takes a deep dive into the intersection of the civil rights movement and the evolving political landscape in America. The episode begins by drawing a parallel between Black Americans and the Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War, as discussed by activist Brittany Cunningham.
It then highlights the struggle for civil rights and the push for peace and justice, focusing on the Chicago Open Housing Movement and the 1964 Harlem incidents. The episode also discusses the growing frustration among white working-class voters with the Democratic Party, a sentiment echoed by Dr.
Martin Luther King as he advocated for a more inclusive agenda beyond the two-party system. The episode concludes by examining President Lyndon B.
Johnson's decision not to seek re-election and its impact on the 1968 Democratic nomination. The episode provides a compelling look at how historical actions and decisions continue to influence current political dynamics, particularly for Black Americans.
With the 2024 U.S.
presidential election approaching, rappers Plies and Lil Pump have emerged as the most vocal voices in the hip-hop community on political matters. Lil Pump, who previously announced his support for Donald Trump in 2020, has ramped up his promotion of the former president on social media.
However, his allegiance seems more like trolling and propaganda rather than providing substance. He has made false claims about Vice President Kamala Harris and has been using platforms like Twitter and Instagram to spread his views.
On the other hand, Plies has been staunchly opposing Trump and has been sharing sensible and researched opinions on social media. He has encouraged Black Americans and women to educate themselves about the presidential candidates and understand the reality of achieving greatness in the country.
While other rappers have also voiced their opinions on the election, Plies and Lil Pump have emerged as the loudest voices in the hip-hop community.
Civil rights activists are stepping up their efforts to fight for voting rights legislation after the Senate failed to pass a bill earlier this month. The groups plan to retrace the historic march for voting rights from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, that took place more than 50 years ago.
The march will be accompanied by rallies, social media campaigns, and efforts to contact senators. Other actions are planned to take place on key civil rights dates, including a rally on April 4 to mark the death of Martin Luther King Jr.
Activists are also helping voters navigate new state election laws, such as those in Georgia and Texas, and are urging people to vote and participate in democracy.
The candidacy of Kamala Harris has excited many Black voters in the United States, although it hasn't swayed others. Getting Black voters to cast their ballots in November is crucial for Democrats hoping to turn the state blue in this year's presidential race.
Mecklenburg County, which has the highest number of registered Black voters in North Carolina, hopes that a ticket with Harris at the top will reinvigorate many who have sat out past elections. Excitement surrounding Harris is particularly high among Black women who see themselves in her and appreciate her success and qualifications for the job.
However, Democrats face challenges in increasing voter turnout, as some Black voters are skeptical that a Black candidate will lead to meaningful change, while others are turning to the Republican Party, attracted by Trump's positions on certain issues. Overall, the aim for Democrats is to turn the excitement around Harris into votes.
Gail Lumet Buckley, an acclaimed writer and chronicler of African American history, passed away at the age of 86. Buckley was known for her extensive knowledge of American politics, history, and media culture, and she wrote several books and essays on these subjects.
Her most notable works include "The Hornes: An American Family," a history of her African American family, and "The Black Calhouns: From Civil War to Civil Rights With One African American Family." Additionally, Buckley authored "American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military From the Revolution to Desert Storm" and narrated a PBS documentary on African American families.
She was also a close friend of George W. Hunt, S.
J., the former editor-in-chief of America magazine.
Buckley's last book, "Radical Sanctity: Race and Radical Women in the American Catholic Church," was published recently.
Willie Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco and former boyfriend of Vice President Kamala Harris, has spoken out about Harris' rise to power, joking that if she ever becomes president, "she'll deport my ass." Brown, who is now 90 years old, has been a mentor and political ally to Harris throughout her career.
In a recent interview, he reflected on his own beginnings as a Black Texan who moved to California in search of opportunity. Brown also shared his thoughts on Harris' political future, suggesting that she should embrace her hazy ideological categorization to keep voters guessing and that she should avoid making her historic identity the central focus of her campaign.
Despite some concerns about Harris' popularity, Brown praised her personal kindness and speculated about the potential future political careers of other California politicians, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and his own daughter, Sydney Brown.
In Milwaukee, many Black voters feel disillusioned with both political parties and are unsure if they will vote in the upcoming presidential election. The city, located in the swing state of Wisconsin, has been a target for both Democrats and Republicans in recent years.
However, the economic crisis faced by Black residents in Milwaukee, coupled with the lack of progress made by either party, has left many feeling unheard and overlooked. The unemployment rate for Black Americans in the city is high, and even when jobs are available, wages are often inadequate.
Additionally, the neoliberal policies advocated by both parties have further disadvantaged Black communities. As a result, a significant number of Black Milwaukeeans have become "slide voters" who have disengaged from politics altogether.
This lack of enthusiasm and low voter turnout among Black residents could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election in Wisconsin.
The article discusses the impact of Vice President Kamala Harris on Black male voters and their support for former President Donald Trump. The author shares personal anecdotes about his own experiences as a student body president and how gender solidarity played a role in his victory.
He then draws parallels to the political landscape, highlighting how Black women prioritize race over gender in their political decisions. The same cannot be said for Black men, who often hold unfavorable views of female candidates.
However, the author argues that Harris, as a strong Black woman, may have the ability to outperform Obama among Black women and sway Black male voters as well. The article suggests that Trump's previous inroads with Black voters may be wiped out by Harris's candidacy, as demonstrated by the large number of Black men who registered and donated to her campaign.
Ultimately, the author concludes that racial solidarity may shape Black men's voting behavior more than gender bias.