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- BLACKVOTER.ORG #85
BLACKVOTER.ORG #85
Empowering Awareness: Stay Grounded With Blackvoter.org Newsletter!
BlackVoter.org
June 25, 2024
In a sermon delivered at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
, Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the retired and first female bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, called on the faithful to take action and "put feet to our prayers" in honor of Juneteenth. She highlighted the current cultural wars in America, including book-banning and restrictions on teaching history, and drew attention to the need to confront the nation's difficult history.
McKenzie outlined a roll call of historical events, both in the United States and around the world, that sought to revise the narrative and restrict the rights of marginalized communities. She emphasized the importance of Juneteenth as a reminder of the past and urged the audience to consider what their own truth would look like if they could change the narrative to their liking.
The sermon prompted reflection and discussion among the congregation, with some expressing the need for deeper questions and the desire to address the divisions of the past and present.
In the fight for the Black vote, Donald Trump is making significant gains, poised to win the largest share of Black voters since 1960, according to recent polls. Despite Trump's history of racist comments, he has been able to improve his share of the Black vote since his 2016 campaign.
Meanwhile, President Biden is struggling to secure the same level of support from Black voters that the Democratic Party has historically enjoyed. This shift in voting patterns among Black Americans can be attributed to a racial realignment in the country, with younger generations becoming more conservative and comfortable aligning with the Republican Party.
Additionally, many Black voters are growing disillusioned with the politics of representation, realizing that having Black individuals in positions of power does not necessarily lead to substantive change in their lives. To regain Black voters' support, the Democratic Party must address their legitimate concerns and become a party of solutions.
The U.S.
Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has declared gun violence a public health crisis in the country.
The advisory comes in response to the increasing number of injuries and deaths involving firearms, particularly in mass shootings. Dr.
Murthy called for several measures to drive down gun deaths, including a ban on automatic rifles, universal background checks for purchasing guns, regulating the industry, passing laws to restrict their use in public spaces, and penalizing individuals who fail to safely store their weapons. However, implementing these measures nationwide would require legislation from Congress, which has historically been resistant to gun control measures.
While the advisory is likely to be controversial and face opposition from Republican lawmakers, Dr. Murthy believes that America needs to address gun violence as a public health issue and take steps to protect its citizens.
In this article, Joe Battenfeld argues that the plan to name the convention center in Boston after former mayor Tom Menino is a missed opportunity. Instead, he suggests that the convention center should be named after a Black civil rights activist, such as Jean McGuire or Mel King.
Battenfeld highlights the recent reports of racial discrimination at the convention center and believes that naming it after a civil rights leader would be more fitting and symbolic for the city. He acknowledges Menino's contributions to Boston but argues that there are already multiple places named after him.
Battenfeld urges lawmakers to consider honoring a Black civil rights leader and to make a bold statement about the city's progress by naming the convention center after McGuire or King.
Contrary to recent polling data, reports suggesting that President Joe Biden is facing a problem with Black and Hispanic voters are vastly overstated. While it's true that Biden may be lacking enthusiasm from voters across the board, this is not specific to minority voters.
Historical trends indicate that Biden has a strong chance of winning back traditional Democratic voters in the upcoming November elections. In recent cycles, similar scares about minority voters shifting support have proven to be unfounded.
Additionally, surveys of Black voters consistently show a strong identification with the Democratic Party, making it unlikely that significant numbers of them would switch to support former President Donald Trump. As for Hispanic voters, national polling data may show Biden losing support, but when viewed on a state-by-state basis, the picture is more varied, with Democrats maintaining support in key states.
A state visit by President William Ruto of Kenya to the White House is likely to benefit President Joe Biden's chances of re-election, particularly with Black voters in the US. The visit showcased the close ties between the two countries and demonstrated Biden's commitment to strengthening relations with Kenya.
The presence of former President Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan, added to the significance of the event. Scenes of Biden and Ruto shaking hands and smiling together are likely to resonate with Black voters, who are a key demographic for Biden heading into the 2024 election.
Additionally, the visit highlighted the importance of Kenya as a strong and dependable ally for the US in Africa. Both countries recognize the need to bolster their alliances amid growing influence from China and Russia on the continent.
Ruto's visit also provided a platform for economic discussions and the potential for increased trade between the US and Kenya.
According to a recent survey by CBS News/YouGov, former President Donald Trump is narrowly leading President Joe Biden in terms of overall support, with Trump at 50% and Biden at 49%. However, the poll also revealed a surprising statistic – nearly a quarter of black voters are supporting Trump.
This is a significant figure for a Republican candidate, as typically, black voters tend to heavily favor Democratic candidates. The survey also showed that Trump leads Biden among white adults with 57% support to Biden's 43%, while Biden leads Trump among black adults with 75% support.
However, the fact that Trump is still able to garner 24% support among black adults is notable. Overall, this survey highlights the continued strength of Trump's support and suggests potential vulnerabilities for Biden in key demographics.
Former President Donald Trump will host a round table event in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring black American business leaders. The event, moderated by Florida GOP Rep.
Byron Donalds, will include local business owners, as well as Dr. Ben Carson and Texas GOP Rep.
Wesley Hunt. The round table will take place at Rocky's Barbershop, and one of the topics of discussion will be Trump's proposal to end taxation on tips, which the campaign claims will benefit hospitality workers.
This event is part of the Trump campaign's efforts to win over black voters, as recent polls show Trump's support among this demographic to be at a record high. The campaign argues that Trump's economic policies offer more opportunities for black families to build generational wealth.
Blacks and Latinos in the United States are shifting towards the Republican Party in significant numbers, according to Jerry Pierce Jr, President of The Interamerica Group. Pierce claims that these minority groups are seeing through the "lies and fear tactics" of the Democratic Party, which tried to scare them into voting for them.
He argues that minority groups tend to embrace traditional values of family, religion, and the right to work, which align more closely with Republican values. Pierce believes that President Trump and new leadership at the Republican National Committee are reaching out to and hearing the concerns of these communities, and as a result, they are abandoning the Democratic Party.
Recent polls show that Trump would receive 21% of the Black vote and nearly 50% of the Latino vote.
The New York Democratic primary between Jamaal Bowman and George Latimer is gaining attention due to its focus on Israel. Bowman, a member of the progressive Squad, has been vocal in his criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza and has pushed for a ceasefire.
His positions have made him a target for pro-Israel advocacy groups and have caused a divide within the Democratic Party. Latimer, on the other hand, positions himself as a moderate alternative and has emphasized his support for a two-state solution.
The primary has also been influenced by other factors, such as Bowman's controversial past remarks and Latimer's alleged racism. The race is being closely watched as it could indicate where the Democratic Party stands on the issue of Israel and the influence of progressive members.
It is also the most expensive House primary ever, with pro-Israel groups spending heavily to support Latimer.
A new report published by Onyx Impact, a nonprofit organization working to combat disinformation within the Black community, has found that Black Americans are frequently targeted with disinformation in the lead up to elections. According to the report, at least 40 million Americans may be regularly targeted with false and misleading narratives about the election on social media.
The study identified six core online networks that are "reaching or targeting" Black Americans with misinformation. These include conservative commentators like Candace Owens, podcast platforms like "The Breakfast Club," and extreme Black nativists.
The report also noted that foreign actors, including the digital media company African Stream, seek to influence political discussions in the US. The report suggests that confronting misinformation targeting Black communities is crucial to ensuring the health and stability of US democracy.
The Trump campaign is increasing its outreach to African-American voters as the former and current presidents prepare to face off in Atlanta. The campaign has organized a "Black American Business Leaders Barbershop Roundtable" at Rocky's Barbershop, where they will discuss Trump's "No Tax on Tips" policy, which is aimed at benefiting barbers who rely on tips to make ends meet.
The discussion will be moderated by Florida Rep. Byron Donalds and will include various local businesspeople as well as former HUD Secretary Dr.
Ben Carson and talk-show host Shelley Winter. The campaign is highlighting Trump's efforts to improve the lives of Black Americans, including investments in Opportunity Zones and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, while arguing that Biden's policies have left black Americans behind.
The campaign hopes to make meaningful inroads with black voters and has set a goal of peeling off 25% to 30% of the black vote, which they believe would make it mathematically impossible for Democrats to win.
Tuesday's primary election in New York's 16th Congressional District is not only the most expensive House primary race in American history but also a heartbreaker for left-wing Democrat Representative Jamaal Bowman. Four years ago, Bowman rode the energy of the Black Lives Matter movement to victory over longtime incumbent Eliot Engel, a staunch supporter of Israel.
However, this time around, Bowman is facing a tough challenge from Westchester County executive George Latimer, who refuses to criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With Latimer leading by 17 points in recent polls, Bowman's defeat would not only mark the first time a member of the progressive Squad has been toppled by a moderate but also serve as a warning to politicians who break with Washington's pro-Israel consensus.
This high-stakes primary is tearing at the progressive alliance between Black people and Jews and could have significant implications for the Democratic Party and its stance on Israel.
Charisa Dene Jacobs, a Tulsa, Oklahoma artist, explores her own identity and personal journey through her artwork. In her collections "Heritage," "Beloved," and "Sanctuary," Jacobs incorporates the grounding effect of burnt sienna, which informs her bold brushwork and expressive application of color.
Inspired by the works of John Singer Sargent and vintage photographs of Black Americans, Jacobs creates contemporary versions of historical figures, such as Josephine Baker and Sidney Poitier. She also pays homage to her father and other Black American men in her work.
In addition, Jacobs explores the history of Black American cowboys in a collection that showcases their strength and presence. Through her use of burnt sienna and her personal connection to her subjects, Jacobs creates a body of work that is both visually striking and deeply introspective.
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