April 19th 2024.
As the November 2024 election approaches, the lack of economic growth for Black voters is causing them to reconsider their support for President Joe Biden. With the rising cost of living and the need to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet, many Black voters are turning towards alternative options, such as independent candidates. Jennifer Garner, a voter from Cleveland, Ohio, shares her struggles, “I have to work two jobs overtime just to even try to cover my rent, which means I have no time to be able to enjoy life, period.” This sentiment is shared by many in the Black community who feel that the economy needs to improve and there needs to be better job opportunities and higher wages.
Garner, who voted for Biden in 2020, is now uncertain if she will continue to support him in 2024. While she has ruled out Republican nominee Donald Trump, she is looking for other options. This shift in support is evident in a poll from January 2024, which revealed that only 75% of Black voters said they would vote for Biden in the upcoming election, compared to 92% in the previous election. The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies also reported in May 2023 that 30% of Black people have seen a decline in their financial situation, while 44% say it has remained the same. Despite reports of a stable labor market and increasing wages, the Black community is still feeling the pressure of high prices for necessities like groceries, housing, and student loan payments.
In April 2024, President Biden announced a new plan for student debt forgiveness, which could provide relief for millions of borrowers. This proposal includes a one-time cancellation of all accrued interest for 23 million borrowers and the full amount of student loan debt for 4 million borrowers, according to News From The States. Additionally, more than 10 million borrowers with a minimum of $5,000 in student debt would also receive relief. While this is a step in the right direction, it may not be enough to sway the Black community's support for Biden.
The lack of support for Biden is not just due to economic concerns. In a focus group of 14 participants, one person expressed disappointment in Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Shaleeya L. from Gastonia, North Carolina, shares her thoughts, “I was excited to back Biden in prior elections, but I'm not sure this time.” Out of the four participants who mentioned considering voting for a third-party or independent candidate, Shaleeya is considering Dr. Cornel West, who recently selected BLM advocate Dr. Melina Abdullah as his running mate. However, she is still unsure and says, “For a fact, I'm not voting for Trump. So if I don't want to vote for Biden either — then my choice is to not vote.” She adds, “As of now, I have no preference. If we voted today, I probably wouldn't vote.”
Another issue that is causing confusion for voters is abortion. In the focus group, three participants were not familiar with President Biden's stance on abortion. They all believe that Trump played a role in the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 by appointing three of the five justices who supported the measure. This is a crucial issue for many in the Black community, and the lack of clarity on Biden's stance may also impact their support for him in the upcoming election.
In conclusion, the lack of economic growth and other issues have caused many Black voters to reconsider their support for President Biden. While some may turn towards alternative options, others are still undecided. The upcoming election will be crucial in determining how the Black community will vote and what issues will ultimately sway their decision.
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