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- BLACKVOTER.ORG #38
BLACKVOTER.ORG #38
Empowering Awareness: Stay Grounded With Blackvoter.org Newsletter!
BlackVoter.org & Edith Wilson (content curation advisor)
April 17, 2024
DID YOU KNOW….!?Despite comprising only 13% of the U.S. population, Black Americans make up nearly 40% of the incarcerated population. Join us as we examine the urgent need for criminal justice reform in our community.
As India heads into a 6-week national election, voters have a lot on their minds. Here are some key points from the article:
• 🗳️ Raj Sud, a 94-year-old voter, has a clear favorite in the race - Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Critics argue that while Modi has overseen economic growth, he has also undermined India's democracy and secular status. 🤔
• The unemployment rate is a major concern for the country's 200 million young voters. 😟
• Corruption, lack of good governance, and inflation are issues that urban voters want to see addressed. 👥💰
• Many voters desire a clean-up of the political system and more accountability from politicians. 💪💼
Overall, as India prepares for its national election, voters have a range of concerns and desires, from economic growth to political transparency. 🇮🇳✨
Former President Donald Trump recently made controversial claims about why Jewish and Black people "vote for the Democrats" in a phone interview with Wayne Allen Root on Real America's Voice. 🗣️ Trump suggested that Jewish Americans who vote for Joe Biden do not love Israel and accused the Democratic Party of siding with Palestinians. He expressed his disbelief that Jewish people would vote for Democrats and stated that historically, Jewish people voting Democrat is "an amazing thing." 😮 Trump also claimed that Black people vote Democrat out of habit, despite his belief that he has done more for Black Americans than anyone else. 👥 Overall, Trump's remarks have caused controversy and sparked discussion about the reasons behind minority voting patterns. 🔥
The Brennan Center for Justice has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to facilitate voter suppression campaigns in future elections. The article highlights the historical use of deceptive practices and disinformation to suppress minority votes in the US, and states that AI has the potential to amplify these tactics. Some key points from the article include:
🔍 Historically, voter suppression efforts have targeted low-income, Black, immigrant, and other marginalized communities. These efforts have included spreading false information about voting, deceptive robocalls, and challenging voter eligibility on questionable grounds.
⚡️ AI tools could make these suppression efforts more sophisticated and widespread. For example, generative AI algorithms could be used to create convincing deepfake audio or video content that spreads false information about voting or creates fake emergencies at polling places.
🚀 Foreign influence campaigns could also benefit from AI advancements, using generative AI to create more persuasive and less detectable disinformation content.
💡 The article proposes several solutions to address these potential threats, including amending deceptive practices laws, regulating the dissemination of AI-generated content, and strengthening regulation of political robocalls.
🗽 The proposed Freedom to Vote Act is also mentioned as a potential safeguard against voter suppression, although it does not directly address AI.
📝 In this engaging article, the author discusses 10 common phrases that are actually racist. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the history and racial implications of the language we use. Some of the highlighted phrases include:
👊 "Thug": Historically used to describe Black people, often in association with criminal behavior.
📚 "Grandfather Clause": Originating from post-Reconstruction America, this term was used to deny suffrage to African Americans.
🎪 "Gypsy": A derogatory term used to describe the Roma people, perpetuating negative stereotypes.
🚫 "No Can Do": Originally used to mock Chinese immigrants and their language.
⛓️ "Sold Down The River": This phrase refers to the selling of slaves down the Mississippi or Ohio rivers, with devastating consequences for families.
💼 "Welfare Queen": Popularized during Reagan's presidency, this term perpetuates gross stereotypes about Black women and undermines the importance of welfare programs.
💃 "Shuck And Jive": Rooted in the language of slavery, this phrase refers to black people going along with racist white people's wishes.
📆 "Long Time No See": Originally used to make fun of Native American greetings, this phrase mocks cultural traditions.
🥜 "The Peanut Gallery": Referring to segregated theater balconies where Black people were forced to sit, this phrase perpetuates racist stereotypes.
🆙 "Uppity": Used to describe Black people who challenged racist norms, this term carries heavy racial connotations.
🌟 The author concludes by emphasizing the need to navigate the racist implications of language and encourages readers to be mindful of the words they use.
Faith Ringgold, an influential American artist known for her political paintings and story quilts, has passed away at the age of 93. 🎨 Ringgold's artwork offered a unique perspective on America's racial and social issues, celebrating Black culture and challenging traditional notions of art and craft. Highlights from her career include:
• 🖌️ Ringgold's artistic practice spanned painting, quilts, political posters, prints, soft sculpture, and performance.
• 🎭 She was an activist and advocate for Black artists and women artists, fighting for representation in museums.
• 🧵 Ringgold's story quilts, which incorporated lengthy narratives, became a signature part of her practice.
• ✨ She created two complementary series of story quilts that explored the experiences of women and African Americans, re-casting art history.
• 📚 She published 20 children's books, including "Tar Beach," which was inspired by one of her story quilts and received numerous accolades.
Faith Ringgold leaves behind an impactful legacy and will be remembered for her transformative vision and commitment to social change through art. 🌟
Former NBA star Alex English faced a contentious reelection to the Board of Trustees at the University of South Carolina. Despite running unopposed and having the backing of the governor, English had to endure a vote in which 10 Republicans voted against him, ultimately winning by a vote of 112-10. The election highlights the ongoing fight for diversity in an overwhelmingly Republican state, with English being just one of two Black members on the 21-member board. 🔥🏀 Black lawmakers argue that this vote is indicative of a larger problem, with Republicans in the General Assembly dismissing diversity in the election of judges and trustees. The lack of diversity extends to the judiciary as well, with just nine of the 61 judges on the supreme, appeals, or circuit courts being Black. 😔🔒 While English has committed to promoting diversity and fiscal responsibility, some Republicans expressed concerns over his support for efforts to change the names of campus buildings away from segregationists. The contentious vote emphasizes the need for greater diversity and inclusion in South Carolina. ✊🌟🏛️
President Biden's handling of the Gaza conflict is causing concern among some Black Americans and has led them to question whether he deserves a second term in office. 🤔 For these voters, the war in the Middle East is overshadowing domestic concerns such as the economy and crime, with some arguing that Biden's support for Israel's actions in Gaza is a moral disaster that should have consequences at the ballot box. 🔥 However, others in the Black community believe that Trump poses a far greater threat and are willing to overlook Biden's actions in the region. 👀 The impact of this divide within the Black community could have significant implications for the 2024 election, particularly in key battleground states like Pennsylvania where Biden's support has already shown signs of weakening. 🗳️
Black Voters Matter is launching its "Big Pay Back - TSU $2.1 Billion" college tour in Tennessee 🚌 🎓, using its "Blackest Bus in America" 🌟🚌 to mobilize students and advocate for funding Tennessee State University (TSU). The tour will focus on TSU, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Memphis, hosting text banking events to engage and empower students. TSU is the only public historically Black college in the state and is owed $2.1 billion, the largest funding gap among all HBCUs in the US. Black Voters Matter is calling on Governor Lee to include this funding in the state budget 💰. The underinvestment in TSU affects not only its students but also students at other land grant institutions. The tour aims to empower students and bring attention to the issue. Let's support this important cause! 🎉💪
📢 Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has announced new policy efforts aimed at black voters in an attempt to reduce racial wealth and health gaps. Some highlights from the article include:
• Biden pledged to open a new Public Credit Reporting Agency to compete with private companies like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in order to minimize racial disparities in lending. 💪🏾💵
• The former vice president promised a new tax credit for first-time homeowners and $900 million in funding over eight years to save lives in high-crime cities. 🏠💰💉
• Biden also plans to expand the Small Business Administration's efforts to lend money to African American-owned enterprises, as many have been unable to access federal relief programs during the coronavirus outbreak due to discriminatory lending practices. 💼✊🏿
• The policy proposal includes an expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act to include mortgage and insurance companies. 🏦🏢
• The Biden campaign said they would be introducing more policies relevant to black voters in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! 👀
Biden is hoping to secure the support of black voters, who played a crucial role in helping him become the Democratic nominee and will be essential to his chances of winning the general election against President Donald Trump. 🗳️🤝🌍
Recent polls have suggested that Black voters may be less reliable for President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party than in the past. Similarly, there are questions about the loyalty of Republican evangelicals to former President Donald Trump. 📊 While the evangelical bloc has historically been crucial to the GOP base, trends such as declining church attendance and the development of factions within the evangelical community have raised doubts about their support for Trump. 🌍 Trump's stance on abortion has also caused divisions, with some anti-abortion rights groups criticizing his comments about leaving the regulation of abortion up to the states. However, there is a growing belief within Trump's presidential campaign that he can afford to lose some evangelical support because of the rising influence of Republicans who are not interested in religious institutions. These "nones" or "none-churchgoers" make up a significant portion of the Republican base and are more aligned with Trump's populist MAGA movement. 🙌 As a result, there may be fewer Republican evangelicals today, and the MAGA crowd may no longer need them for political success. 🚀
Let's carry the torch of progress ignited by those who came before us. By exercising our right to vote, we honor their legacy and ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain. Together, let's make our voices heard in the ongoing journey toward a more just and equitable society.
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