By Mildred Robertson
A common
narrative is that black men will tank Kamala Harris’ chance to become the first
woman of color to assume the highest office in this country. Charlamagne Tha
God, who once seemed to disdain Harris, has become one of her most outspoken
supporters. On Thursday the popular radio host reasoned with a black male caller
who stated that while he will not vote for Trump, he may just not vote at all.
“I’m not voting
for Hitler Jr. and if I had to be honest with you … I don’t trust the
Democrats, bruh. As a black man in America, we done been lied to so long.
Promises have never been kept,” the caller said. “I’ma just keep it a buck. I’m
not voting this year … I don’t trust the Democrats and I damn sure ain’t voting
for Hitler Jr. Whatever happens gon’ happen.”
Charlamagne
replied. “Well if you not votin’
and Hitler Jr. wins, then you know you gon’ have to blame yourself,”
Charlamagne retorted. “You gon’ have to take some of the blame.”
This type of
interchange is not uncommon in the black community. Charlamagne is right that
those who choose to sit this one out will hold some responsibility if the worst
occurs. It is good that we discuss this vital issue within the community. However,
the current conversation that lays the possible defeat of Harris at the feet of
black men is an unsupported one.
In fact, Harris
enjoys the wide support of black voters. In an August 2024 report the Pew
Research Center reported that Black registered voters overwhelmingly support
Vice President Kamala Harris over the former president. That report stated that
about three-quarters of Black voters lean toward Harris, with only 13 percent
leaning toward Trump. That number was derived from 73% of black men and 79% of
black women leaned toward Harris’ camp.
The narrative surrounding
lagging Black support for the vice president likely grows from the
extraordinary support Black voters gave Biden in 2016. He captured 92% of the
black vote in that election. While Harris’ numbers fall below that watermark,
it is still impressive. Nevertheless, it is good to continue to seek black voters
at the rate we’ve seen in the past.
A less discussed issue is the support of white women for the Democratic candidate. In an October 2024 article, CNN reported the impact of working-class White women on the upcoming election. While pundits say that abortion issues will drive women to support Harris, CNN reports that many working-class White women are torn between their disdain for the Democratic Party’s economic policies and their contempt for Trump. Historically these middle-class White women without a college degree have trended toward republicans. Republicans won just under three-fifths of these working-class White women in the 2004, 2008, and 2012 races. Donald Trump won over three-fifths of these women in 2016 and 2020. So, several constituencies seem prepared to vote against their own best interest.
America is not a melting pot. It is a gumbo. Rather than pointing fingers at various portions of the electorate, it is more important to continue to share information that may move people, whether Black or White, to reject political actions that are not in their best interest.
America has all kinds of people with all types of community norms. It is outstanding that Charlemagne decided to have this conversation in the Black community. Similar conversations need to occur in other communities. Such conversation can have a major impact on the outcome of the 2024 election.
In fact, each individual has the power to make a difference in the upcoming election. Each of us has something to offer about the direction of our country. Each of us is a key ingredient in the making of this nation and its future. Let’s stir
the gumbo. It is tastier when all the ingredients are in the mix.
Vote!
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