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- BLACKVOTER.ORG #117
BLACKVOTER.ORG #117
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
August 14, 2024
African Americans are having a transformative impact on the political economy in the United States, particularly in vibrant urban centers like Atlanta, Georgia. Historically, political and economic power in Georgia has been held by white Americans, but the demographic shift is changing that.
Forbes projects that the African American population will increase by 22% between 2025 and 2060, while the white population is expected to decline by nearly 30%. This shift is reshaping the interactions between political institutions and participants and therefore the broader political and economic landscapes.
Georgia's political orientation has gradually transitioned from Republican to Democratic in recent years, and African-American political influence is increasing. However, there is also a concerted effort to suppress African-American voter participation, with recent legislative actions in Georgia creating obstacles that disproportionately impact new and minority voters.
Despite these challenges, African Americans are redefining the trajectory of political and economic power in the country, and their increasing influence is crucial for creating a more equal and just society.
Former President Donald Trump is set to deliver remarks on the economy in North Carolina as part of his campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris. The economy has been a central issue for the Trump campaign, with Trump frequently discussing topics such as inflation, gas prices, and the job market.
Last week, Trump blamed the Biden-Harris administration for the recent stock market crash and claimed that if Harris wins in November, there could be a "Great Depression" on par with the one in 1929. However, Trump has provided few details on specific economic policy proposals for his possible second administration.
The campaign hopes that his remarks in North Carolina will offer a more focused approach to contrast his vision with Harris.
In this article, author Carol Lennox sheds light on the historical role of white men in deciding who is considered Black in the United States. Lennox argues that no other ethnic group in the U.
S. is defined solely based on genetic connection to a specific group, except for Black people.
This distinction, known as the one-drop rule, has been used to classify individuals with any known Black ancestry as Black. Lennox, who has a Black son and references Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizes that this categorization has been used as a means of oppression and control.
The article suggests that during times of slavery and after its abolition, it was crucial for slave owners to keep track of Black individuals in order to prevent rebellion and maintain dominance. By highlighting this historical context, Lennox aims to challenge the notion that white men have the power to decide who belongs to the Black community.
A new poll conducted by the Florida Atlantic University Political Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab (PolCom Lab) and Mainstreet Research USA reveals interesting insights into the shifting dynamics of politics in Florida. The poll shows that former President Donald Trump holds a slight lead over Vice President Kamala Harris among likely voters in Florida.
However, the margin is narrow, suggesting that Florida may once again become a swing state in the upcoming election. The poll also highlights significant gender, age, and racial divides among voters.
Female voters prefer Harris, while male voters favor Trump. Younger voters are more likely to support Harris, while older voters lean towards Trump.
Black voters overwhelmingly support Harris, while Hispanic voters are evenly split between the two candidates. The poll also includes voter opinions on proposed amendments, such as abortion and marijuana legalization, as well as other findings related to the U.
S. Senate race and voter preferences for news sources.
The upcoming 2024 elections are expected to be crucial, particularly in terms of voter turnout and civic engagement. The focus on Black male voters has intensified, as they are poised to be the swing vote that could determine the outcome of the elections.
Black voters have historically played significant roles in tight elections, and their turnout could be the deciding factor in this election as well. Vice President Kamala Harris has been rallying support and has seen a surge in her campaign, with strong grassroots support and substantial donations.
However, there is concern over the lower voter turnout among Black men compared to other demographics, and efforts are being made to reverse this trend by engaging them through community discussions and initiatives. The Democratic National Convention is also adapting to new media consumption habits by streaming live on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to connect with younger audiences.
The article emphasizes the importance of voter education, addressing barriers to access, and harnessing the voting power of marginalized communities to shape political agendas and ensure representation.
Despite a conviction and potential imprisonment, former U.S.
President Donald Trump may still have the ability to vote in future elections as long as he avoids jail time in New York. Trump now resides in Florida, a state notorious for its restrictions on voting rights for individuals with felony convictions.
However, Florida defers to other states' disenfranchisement rules for residents facing out-of-state felony charges. Given that New York law restores the voting rights for people convicted of felonies once they have served their prison sentences, Trump could potentially vote for himself in Florida in future elections, even if he is on parole.
Blair Bowie of the Campaign Legal Center noted that Florida's complex voting rules often lead to confusion for individuals who lack the same legal resources as Trump.
Last week, Fair Fight organized a Democracy Summit to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The event discussed the impact of anti-voter laws in Georgia and highlighted new issues that threaten free and fair elections, including proposed rules changes from the Georgia State Election Board that could undermine the outcome of the 2024 election in the state.
Speakers at the summit emphasized the importance of restoring and strengthening the Voting Rights Act's protections, particularly in the face of increasing voter suppression efforts across the country. The event featured notable speakers such as Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Congressman Hank Johnson, and Dr.
Carol Anderson, as well as individuals who have been directly affected by voter challenges. The summit aimed to raise awareness about the need for electoral integrity and ensure that every citizen's right to vote is protected.
This webpage from Newsweek covers a range of news topics, including politics, world events, science, health, and entertainment. The top stories highlighted on the page include a warning about potential cyber chaos in the 2024 election, Donald Trump's views on the economy as an important election issue, a map showing Israel's plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, and more.
The page also features opinion pieces on various subjects, such as the need to address cybersecurity misinformation and the importance of making Elon Musk accountable for spreading misinformation. Additionally, there are sections devoted to trending news, podcasts, and newsletters.
Overall, the webpage provides a comprehensive overview of current news and events, with engaging content that covers a wide range of topics.
In a recent development, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first African American sorority founded in 1908, has launched its political action committee (PAC) to boost political engagement and support candidates.
The influential sorority, which is part of the Divine Nine network of historically Black fraternities and sororities, aims to mobilize Black voters, particularly those from suburban and middle-class backgrounds, for the upcoming 2024 elections. Members of the AKA 1908 PAC can contribute up to $5,000 each towards federal campaigns and political parties.
This launch aligns with the broader efforts of the Divine Nine to revitalize voter participation. Leaders from the Divine Nine recently convened to strategize on mobilizing voters through education and registration drives.
The powerful influence of these organizations in the Black community is underscored by their historical significance and their commitment to civic engagement. Through social media platforms and grassroots initiatives, groups like Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Divine Nine are leveraging modern technology to increase democratic participation among Black voters and promote community engagement.
Black fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine, are using social media and private chat groups to increase voter turnout among Black Americans. These organizations are spreading awareness about the importance of voting by sharing posts, videos, and voter registration links on platforms like Watch the Yard.
The Divine Nine are also partnering with initiatives such as Michelle Obama's When We All Vote to help people check their voter registration status easily. In addition to public efforts, these organizations have private chat groups with thousands of members to discuss strategies, share information, and plan voter outreach.
Black voter turnout has been inconsistent, and the Divine Nine aims to change that by focusing on getting more Black voters to the polls in every election. Their involvement in voter mobilization is part of a long tradition of civic engagement and fighting for voting rights.
This article tells the story of two separate assassination attempts on political figures, 50 years apart. The first attempt was on former Alabama Governor George Wallace in 1972, and the second was on former President Donald Trump in 2024.
The article compares the responses to these attempts and highlights the contrast between the two men. Wallace, who was known for his segregationist views, changed his tune after the attempt and sought forgiveness from Black Americans.
He apologized for his actions and worked to make amends. In contrast, Trump did not change his divisive rhetoric after his own assassination attempt.
The article argues that Wallace's change of heart and his efforts to seek forgiveness demonstrate the capacity for growth and change in individuals, and that this is something that should be recognized and celebrated.
The US electoral system is a complex one, consisting of 50 separate state-wide elections. Each state determines how its Presidential election will be conducted, and the winner of the voters in each state will receive a majority of the electors and be elected President.
This system means that candidates focus most of their attention on a handful of highly competitive states, leaving 90% of America ignored during the Presidential election. Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a law professor at Harvard Law School, believes that it would be better to have a single nation-wide election instead.
The US electoral system was put in place to respect federalism and give states authority over Presidential elections. Stephanopoulos also discusses rising electoral litigation, the concern of partisan gerrymandering, and the concept of alignment in politics.
He dispels worries about non-citizens voting in the US polls and suggests that Kamala Harris might benefit from adopting a more centrist image in her electoral contest with Donald Trump.
Episode 5 of The Black Ballot explores the complex relationships between prominent Black figures and political power in the 1960s and 1970s. The episode begins by critiquing celebrities like James Brown and Sammy Davis Jr.
for aligning with Richard Nixon, labeling them as "political prostitutes." It also delves into Nixon's strategy of "Black capitalism," which aimed to court middle-class African Americans through economic opportunities rather than civil rights legislation.
The episode examines the ideological diversities within Black communities at the time, including integrationists, nationalists, Pan-Africanists, and socialists. It also highlights the government's crackdown on the Black Panther Party, including the deaths of leaders in Chicago and the trial of co-founder Bobby Seale.
Throughout the episode, the diverse perspectives within Black America are explored, showing how these differing ideologies helped shape the Civil Rights Movement. Overall, the episode provides a deep dive into the legacy of the Black vote and the continued fight for representation.
In a joint effort, the Maui Police Department (MPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have announced the arrest of Robert Dumaran in connection to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) case in Kahului. Dumaran, a 47-year-old resident of Kahului, was apprehended after the FBI tracked him through fingerprints and cell phone data.
The investigation began on July 23 when an IED was found on Lono Ave, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents. Since then, multiple other IEDs have been discovered in the area, although no evacuations were required.
Dumaran appeared before a federal judge on August 13 and is currently in federal custody without bail. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the case is urged to report it to the authorities.
The arrest is a result of the collaboration between MPD and FBI, highlighting their shared commitment to ensuring justice and community safety.
