November 4th 2024.
As the 2024 election approaches, the focus on Black voter turnout has intensified. Black communities have played a crucial role in deciding who will hold positions of power in the White House, Congress, and state legislatures. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have made significant efforts to engage Black voters, with Harris prioritizing it in her messaging and policies, and Trump seeking to gain their support with unconventional and sometimes controversial tactics.
A key strategy for Democrats in reaching out to Black voters has been to send out the first Black president and his wife, the former first lady, to battleground states. Michelle Obama and Alicia Keys rallied voters in Norristown, Pennsylvania, while Barack Obama stumped in Milwaukee. The former first lady also held a nonpartisan rally where speakers touched on the South's Civil Rights history. Michelle Obama emphasized the importance of voting, stating that it is our chance to tell those in power what we want.
Efforts to increase Black voter turnout often begin at the community level. In Miami, members of local churches came together for a "Souls to the Polls" event, marching to a nearby early voting center. One resident, Regina Tharpe, mentioned that seeing a group of people walking to vote encouraged her to do the same. Another first-time voter, Sharina Perez, stated that she voted for herself, her future, her mother's future, and for the younger generation.
Organizers of these events often face obstacles such as exhaustion and cynicism among younger Black voters and Black men. However, they remain hopeful that their efforts will make a difference. Jamarr Brown, executive director of Color of Change PAC, emphasized the importance of going to where the most impacted people are, such as precincts and communities, to combat misinformation and encourage voting.
Other events, such as the "Pistonsland" festival in Detroit, have taken a more free-flowing approach. The nonpartisan carnival was set up next to an early voting polling place and featured musical performances, carnival games, and food trucks. A Detroit native, Karl Patrick, attended the festival and stated that he strongly supports Harris because he believes Trump wants to be a dictator. He mentioned that not all of his friends shared the same views.
Black voters are typically the most Democratic demographic in the country, but the Trump campaign has made a concerted effort to gain more support from Black voters in this election, particularly Black men. The campaign has focused on economic arguments, such as the claim that undocumented immigrants take "Black jobs," despite economists finding this claim to be unfounded. The campaign believes that Trump's broader pitch on the economy, crime, and traditional values will appeal to Black communities.
The Trump campaign has enlisted the help of key surrogates, such as GOP Reps. Byron Donalds and Wesley Hunt, in their outreach to Black men. They hosted a Black men's barbershop roundtable in Philadelphia in October, and the Black Conservative Federation held a "closing argument" event on Sunday with Donalds and Hunt.
Many Black voters, like other Americans, have already cast their ballots in this election. Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia mentioned that Trump has been advising his supporters to vote early, which may explain the high early voter turnout among his base. However, the final outcome will depend on Election Day. Veteran Black leaders are confident that their various strategies will bring voters out, with Rev. Wendell Anthony stating that many people who usually don't believe their vote makes a difference are likely to participate in this historic moment.
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