So Super Tuesday is over and it's looking likely that Joe Biden will be the democratic nominee, in thanks largely to southern states, particularly black voters.
Before going into the topic of this thread, I'd like to make my perspective on what's been going on clear. I'm black and the son of Haitian immigrants. I identify as a socialist and decided to support Bernie this cycle (with Warren as a close second), and I would've voted for him yesterday had my state been a part of Super Tuesday.
To say that last night was disappointing for Sanders supporters is an understatement. Many are curious to know why Biden was able to gain such a massive amount of momentum. Now, I have no problem with people wondering why certain demographics choose to vote the way they do. Post-election analysis is a perfectly normal area of discussion and it's important to ask questions in order to gain a better perspective of things. However I believe that some people not just on here but other sites like Twitter have crossed a line and are not simply expressing curiosity.
Let me make one thing clear, black people who choose to vote for Biden as the nominee this year are not "low-information" voters, nor are they voting against their own interests, nor do they lack empathy. Black voters have access to the same media coverage and resources that every one else does. We know what Bernie's policies are, We know that Biden has a far from sterling reputation concerning black issues. I believe that people who are shocked by Bernie not being the clear front runner coming out of Super Tuesday have trouble reconciling Biden's strong black support and are quick to resort to dogwhistles as a reaction.
I'll try to explain the best that I can why Biden is performing so well among the black community, particularly with older black people.
1) HE'S THE VICE PRESIDENT TO BARACK OBAMA - It feels silly that I have to point this out, but Obama was the first black president of the united states. Older black voters like my mother thought that they would never live to actually see something like this happen. Before 2008, Black Presidents were something that you saw Hollywood movies flirt with but never thought would seriously happen. On top of that, Obama is extremely charismatic and his family is looked up to as role models in the black community. Being adjacent to someone like that is no small deal.
2) The black electorate is used to presidential candidates being either oblivious to, if not outright hostile to black issues - It is extremely rare that black voters have the luxury of choosing a candidate that is both viable and speaks to their unique issues. For many, Obama's run in '08 was the first time they truly saw themselves on presidential election stage. Being a black voter in America is a an exercise in harm reduction. We know that when Republicans gain power it's a guarantee that we're going to be hurt. Black voters, especially older ones that have witnessed multiple election deal with the lesser evil because the system rarely offers better viable choices
3) They don't trust Bernie's electability and ability to actuate his policies. - It's one thing to believe Bernie's policies will be better for you. It's another to believe he has a chance of winning. Black People don't not trust white people to choose socialism over trumpism. They see Bernie as a risk. They don't think the senate would allow his bills to pass. The top priority of older black voters is to get Trump out of the White House. These past four years have been traumatic as it is and another four would be such a disaster that naturally they want to go for a candidate that they consider safe. I personally think that Bernie's chances are better than the media give him credit for, but that doesn't mean that everyone else does.
4) Black Voters are tired. Just like everybody else. - We all want this shit to be over with. Everything about the Trump administration is exhausting. If Trump gets another four years, it's not going to be white who catch the brunt of the consequences. Black voters want things to be stable rather than worry about revolutions on top of making sure we don't get rolled again this year.
To finish this off, I like to speak about this terrible relationship that political media and commentators have with black people. Whenever we help bring a (usually white) candidate to victory, we get everything short of a ticker tape parade for a day or two but then get forgotten about. We're practically the backbone of the democratic party, yet that isn't reflected in policy decisions or coverage of what affects our communities. The minute that the black vote doesn't go exactly the way people expect we get shit on by armchair analysts asking what our damage is and continuing to ignore us. The whole country knows that we vote democratic because the alternative is worse, so why bother actually changing policy for us?
Meanwhile white people can vote in droves to install a blatantly corrupt and authoritarian president, but nobody would dare bad mouth the white electorate. They get article after article after article written about how they were these poor souls who got abandoned and we need to stop being mean to them!
You're allowed to be upset that Bernie isn't doing well. I'm not happy either. I want things in this country to meaningfully change for the better. But these shitty remarks about a group of people who are simply trying to keep their heads above water is completely out of pocket. Take a breath. Gain some perspective. Try something different next time.
Before going into the topic of this thread, I'd like to make my perspective on what's been going on clear. I'm black and the son of Haitian immigrants. I identify as a socialist and decided to support Bernie this cycle (with Warren as a close second), and I would've voted for him yesterday had my state been a part of Super Tuesday.
To say that last night was disappointing for Sanders supporters is an understatement. Many are curious to know why Biden was able to gain such a massive amount of momentum. Now, I have no problem with people wondering why certain demographics choose to vote the way they do. Post-election analysis is a perfectly normal area of discussion and it's important to ask questions in order to gain a better perspective of things. However I believe that some people not just on here but other sites like Twitter have crossed a line and are not simply expressing curiosity.
Let me make one thing clear, black people who choose to vote for Biden as the nominee this year are not "low-information" voters, nor are they voting against their own interests, nor do they lack empathy. Black voters have access to the same media coverage and resources that every one else does. We know what Bernie's policies are, We know that Biden has a far from sterling reputation concerning black issues. I believe that people who are shocked by Bernie not being the clear front runner coming out of Super Tuesday have trouble reconciling Biden's strong black support and are quick to resort to dogwhistles as a reaction.
I'll try to explain the best that I can why Biden is performing so well among the black community, particularly with older black people.
1) HE'S THE VICE PRESIDENT TO BARACK OBAMA - It feels silly that I have to point this out, but Obama was the first black president of the united states. Older black voters like my mother thought that they would never live to actually see something like this happen. Before 2008, Black Presidents were something that you saw Hollywood movies flirt with but never thought would seriously happen. On top of that, Obama is extremely charismatic and his family is looked up to as role models in the black community. Being adjacent to someone like that is no small deal.
2) The black electorate is used to presidential candidates being either oblivious to, if not outright hostile to black issues - It is extremely rare that black voters have the luxury of choosing a candidate that is both viable and speaks to their unique issues. For many, Obama's run in '08 was the first time they truly saw themselves on presidential election stage. Being a black voter in America is a an exercise in harm reduction. We know that when Republicans gain power it's a guarantee that we're going to be hurt. Black voters, especially older ones that have witnessed multiple election deal with the lesser evil because the system rarely offers better viable choices
3) They don't trust Bernie's electability and ability to actuate his policies. - It's one thing to believe Bernie's policies will be better for you. It's another to believe he has a chance of winning. Black People don't not trust white people to choose socialism over trumpism. They see Bernie as a risk. They don't think the senate would allow his bills to pass. The top priority of older black voters is to get Trump out of the White House. These past four years have been traumatic as it is and another four would be such a disaster that naturally they want to go for a candidate that they consider safe. I personally think that Bernie's chances are better than the media give him credit for, but that doesn't mean that everyone else does.
4) Black Voters are tired. Just like everybody else. - We all want this shit to be over with. Everything about the Trump administration is exhausting. If Trump gets another four years, it's not going to be white who catch the brunt of the consequences. Black voters want things to be stable rather than worry about revolutions on top of making sure we don't get rolled again this year.
To finish this off, I like to speak about this terrible relationship that political media and commentators have with black people. Whenever we help bring a (usually white) candidate to victory, we get everything short of a ticker tape parade for a day or two but then get forgotten about. We're practically the backbone of the democratic party, yet that isn't reflected in policy decisions or coverage of what affects our communities. The minute that the black vote doesn't go exactly the way people expect we get shit on by armchair analysts asking what our damage is and continuing to ignore us. The whole country knows that we vote democratic because the alternative is worse, so why bother actually changing policy for us?
Meanwhile white people can vote in droves to install a blatantly corrupt and authoritarian president, but nobody would dare bad mouth the white electorate. They get article after article after article written about how they were these poor souls who got abandoned and we need to stop being mean to them!
You're allowed to be upset that Bernie isn't doing well. I'm not happy either. I want things in this country to meaningfully change for the better. But these shitty remarks about a group of people who are simply trying to keep their heads above water is completely out of pocket. Take a breath. Gain some perspective. Try something different next time.
