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TechnoratiCan Democrats get the votes they need simply because they're not Republicans? You might think so in this presidential campaign. African-American and urban votes are critical to any Democratic victory. Bill Clinton won two terms without winning the most white votes. His margin was the overwhelming support of black voters. George Bush learned that lesson; that's why his campaigns spent so much effort suppressing the black vote in key states like Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004. His victory margin was the tally of votes suppressed or uncounted.
Yet the Democratic candidates -- with the exception of John Edwards, who opened his campaign in New Orleans' Ninth Ward and has made addressing poverty central to his campaign -- have virtually ignored the plight of African Americans in this country. The catastrophic crisis that engulfs the African-American community goes without mention. No urban agenda is given priority. When thousands of African Americans marched in protest in Jena, La., not one candidate showed up.
Democratic candidates are talking about health care and raising the minimum wage, but they aren't talking about the separate and stark realities facing African Americans.
The civil rights movement succeeded in ending segregation and providing blacks with the right to vote. But the end of legal apartheid did not end the era of discrimination. And the ending of institutionalized violence did not end institutionalized racism.
Patterns of discrimination are sharply etched. African Americans have, on average, about half of the good things that whites have, and double the bad things. We have about half the average household income and less than half the household wealth. On the other hand, we're suffering twice the level of unemployment and twice the level of infant mortality (widely accepted as a measure of general health).
African Americans are brutalized by a system of criminal injustice. Young African Americans are more likely to be stopped, more likely to be searched if stopped, more likely to be arrested if searched, more likely to be charged if arrested, more likely to be sentenced to prison if charged, less likely to get early parole if imprisoned. Every study confirms that the discrimination is systemic and ruinous. And yet no candidate speaks to this central reality.
African Americans are more likely to go to overcrowded and underfunded schools, more likely to go without health care, more likely to drop out, less likely to find employment. Those who do work have less access to banks and are more likely to be ripped off by payday lenders, more likely to be stuck with high-interest auto and business loans, and far more likely to be steered to risky mortgages -- even when adjusting for income. And yet, no candidate speaks to this central reality.
The result is visiting a catastrophe on the urban black community. I and many others campaign for young people to stay in school, to graduate and not to make babies until they are prepared to be parents. My son and I write and teach about personal financial responsibility. Personal responsibility is critical. But personal responsibility alone cannot overcome the effects of a discriminatory criminal justice and economic system in generating broken families and broken dreams.
The Rev. Martin Luther King saw the movement to end segregation and gain voting rights as the first stage of the civil rights movement. The second stage -- to gain economic justice and equal opportunity in fact -- he knew would be more difficult. Now, 40 years later, it is no longer acceptable for candidates to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to entrenched discrimination and still expect to reap our votes.
© Copyright 2007 Digital Chicago, Inc.
18 Comments so far
Show AllRegarding the derogatory Washington "Redskin" name, Native-Americans are not "red." How they got that name is a mystery. They are more brown (if they're full-bloods), and I guess being out in nature and in the sunshine made their skin sunburned and therefore a somewhat copper hue. I'm tired of hearing them being called "red devils" by racists.
African Americans are not on the whole voting Republican no matter who ignores them, talks to them or whatever. So it makes no sense at all strategy-wise for anyone to give a shit about them. Sorry to be all cynical and stuff, but that's how politics works. You want it to work some other way, you need to come up with a system less fucked than handing power over to one guy every four years.
abovetheclutter
You made some pretty strong assertions about Cynthia McKinney but offered no examples of fact to back them up.
You write: "Her antics in Congress made her a laughing stock and a completely ineffectual representative."
Give some examples, please.
As a Green, I'm ashamed to say our party has done a poor job reaching out to people of color. It's not that we wouldn't love having a more diverse membership, it's just that we've been largely ineffectual in our outreach efforts.
Partly, it's because African-Americans, despite consistently being taken for granted by the Democratic Party, still flock to it in droves. It's also partly because of our own reputation as a bunch old, white latte-sipping lefties. And, of course, there's the near-total media blackout that keeps most people from even knowing who we are or what we stand for.
But now we have an even greater opportunity to change that. As others indicated, Cynthia McKinney is seeking the Green Party nomination for President. Many of us are already coalescing behind her candidacy, and we need your help.
In the next few months, Green parties around the country will be selecting their delegates to the national Presidential Nominating Convention in Chicago next summer. If you're a Green, please consider becoming a delegate and supporting Ms. McKinney or encouraging your state delegates to do so. If you're not a Green, I hope you'll join the party and follow that same course.
As a member of Congress, Cynthia McKinney got a pretty bad rap. The mainstream media parroted and amplified Republican caricatures of her as a conspiracy nut with a hot temper and crazy hair, and the Democratic leadership clearly considered her a 'boat-rocker.' When she found herself in trouble with the Capitol Police after the slapping incident, the Dems left her hanging out to dry. Not even the Congressional Black Caucus came to her defense. They all dislike anyone who challenges the status quo, and that describes Cynthia to a tee.
But the powers that be would rather have us remember the "nutter" who slapped a police officer than the only member of Congress who had the courage to question the Bush Administration in the aftermath of 9/11, or one of the few in Washington who opposed the Iraq War in the BEGINNING (not after the tide of public opinion had already turned).
If you want more of the same, please vote for Hillary, Obama, Guliani, or any of the rest of the mainstream slate of corporate candidates (even Kucinich, the one true progressive still in the race, caves to the interests of the Democratic Party in the end, as he did in 2004). But if you're a progressive and are really ready for a change, please consider visiting Cynthia's website and volunteer or contribute:
http://www.runcynthiarun.org/
Interesting. Blacks routinely ignore American Indians. Black athletes continue to play on teams with Native American names and mascots. They show no support at all for the elemination of the Cleveland Indian demeaning mascot or the Washington Redskin demeaning name. To American Indians, Redskin is the equivalent of the N word. The name represents a bloody scalp, something introduced to the Americas by the Dutch Colonists. Can Blacks really expect respect if they in turn do not grant respect to others? The R word is demeaning and leads to continued dehumanization of American Indians. Dehumanization leads to expendability and a continuation of the quiet genocide. I have no sympathy for those who are selfish in their quest for fairness and wealth while ignoring a continuing genocide.
The same is true for Jews who rightly continue the remembrance of the German genocide against the Jews but wrongly and purposely ignore the Euro/American genocide against American Indians that killed over one hundred million.
ungrateful?
You have Obama who went to Harvard Law and worked with poor people in inner city Chicago and made a difference.
What is wrong with that multicultural man becoming president?
Why does Jessy Jackson not go for him- he is supported by Oprah.
Of course Obama cannot go to bat for Blacks only right now because then he will not get elected by all the Whites but to be sure, with his background of working for the poor he will be a wonderful president- we know he will not play the terror card and go around a breathe fear and hatred and anxiety- he will lead with a great deal of grace.
am working for him and got his name on petitions and that was very inspiring contact with the people.
What black America needs is Malcolm X not Jesse Jackson.
I wasn't going to comment on this article until I saw the Cynthia McKinney remarks. As someone who lives in the district she once represented, I happily say, THANK GOD SHE IS NO LONGER IN CONGRESS! THANK GOD!! I voted for her in her first three terms and against her every following election. Her antics in Congress made her a laughing stock and a completely ineffectual representative. Cynthia McKinney is the last thing Black-Americans need. I highly suggest the Green Party stay clear of her if they wish to be a legitimate contender in American politics.
As for Rev. Jackson, maybe he hasn't noticed that a Black-American is making an extremely strong challenge for the upcoming Presidential election and may actually receive the Democratic Party's nomination. A recent poll shows Barack Obama defeating all of the leading Republican candidates in a head to head match up. By the way, the same poll shows Hillary Clinton losing to them all. Does it matter at all to him that, since 2001, two Black-Americans (one being a woman) have been number four in line for Presidential succession. One of the most wealthy and influential people in this country is a Black woman -- Oprah Winfrey. Black-Americans sit in the CEO position of many major American corporations. Black-Americans have shown the highest increase in small business openings over the past few years.
I could go on and on but the bottom line is -- African Americans don't need attention from the Democratic party. Rev. Jackson seeks to sentence African-Americans to an endless status of second class citizens existing only due to the good will of the government. That is the sickest racism possible.
Hey JJ...
Don't you think that universal health care and an end to the Iraq war is a good start for African-Americans? Kucinich's support of unionized labor is another boost for blacks yet you don't even mention him. Yet African-Americans voted for him overwhelmingly in Ohio.
JJ, welcome to the club. If you want to see people being ignored, look at the Native-Americans. There's not many of them left; hence, not many votes to be concerned about.
Actually, the Democrats are ignoring everyone, not only African- or Native-Americans. They DO however, pay attention to what the big corporations and the Jewish lobby want.
Do we need a 3rd party (which would REALLY be a second party) or what?!
Hank Fur---I am a real admirer of Ms McKinney--now there's a human being who happens to be a woman who is a courageous, committed leader. SHe has got more integrity and courage in her little finger than the vast majority of Congress. And she has paid for her attempts to speak truth to power and challenge the lies and the terible priorites of this Administration.
I will vote for her with pride if she runs on the Green ticket or any other alternative---hell I'll write her IN if Kucinich doesn't make it.
Jesse Jackson,
Haven't you heard of Cynthia McKinney? You can google her name on this site as well as other progressive sites to see that this former six term Congressional rep from Georgia is not ignoring African Americans. She is considering running as a Green and her focus is black Americans, especially the hip-hop community, Katrina victims, de facto disenfranchisement of black voters. Of course, your Democratic Party cohorts aren't so interested in the hip-hoppers, are they? They have other concerns, no doubt - like marginalizing and taking down honest, hard working progressives such as Cynthia McKinney!
Black America needs an outspoken kindred spirit such as Cynthia McKinney! If she runs, she's got my vote.
Hey JJ - got some news for ya: all of America is ignoring the African American folk... even the African Americans.
The only Americans NOT ignoring African Americans are cops, prison guards, and probation officers.
Jesse Jackson is the progressive George W. Bush--He knows all the positions to take and has no clue to their implications or implementation. To look into his face is to see "the lights on but nobody home". Jesse Jackosn needs a job where he'd have a title, a nice salary and perks, and no responsibillity or power to mess things up. Jesse Jackson for Senator from DC!
One thing that sometimes gets over looked is the Classism that has spawned from the Racism in this nation.
Because of the disproportionate amount of poor people being compromised of people of color (Any Color), the Race issues and Class issues become one issue.
We have a system that is built on keeping poor people poor and rich people rich.
And you implement (Or Remove) any and all systems and programs that further this agenda.
Welfare System, Prison System Justice System, Tax System, Payroll System, Health Care System, Foster Care System, Justice System, Education System, etc.
It's all about divide and conquer. There won't be enough resources left for everyone.
And when the revolution should start we will be to busy fighting and hating each other, rather than fighting and hating those that continue to keep "The People" down.
So "They" ensure that only those will be elected that can further this agenda of greed and wealth.
If they pander to the poor, black, and brown, they is no way the rich and white can stay in power.
~Future~
Rev. Jackson,
As a Black Canadian on the outside looking in, here are the major events regarding the African-American electorate in the 21st Century:
1. Disenfranchisement in 2000.
2. An odd vote to extend the sunset clause of the Voting Rights Act ("odd" because I don't believe the Act should have ever had a sunset clause to begin with...as per the UN Convention on Human Rights, enshrined in the US Consitution).
3. Disenfranchisement in 2004.
4. Increased discussion and efforts to disenfranchise through Poll Taxes and other restrictive measures.
5. Ethnic Cleansing in New Orleans resulting in disenfranchisement of former residents.
With so many efforts in the past 7 years to disenfranchise African-Americans, I am not surprised (and I don't think you are either) that even the Dims no longer pay attention. That said, we should all be alarmed.
Another spoke in the wheel. The mainstream media is concerned with entertaining, distraction, and profit. Is Britney Spears wearing panties? How much money did retailers make on Black Friday? Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
Action must be taken one step at a time. The problems are obvious and the solutions seem complex. Our individual will and intent can be organized to discover solutions that will be effective for the future. It is our only hope and it is our duty.
Our individual and personal plight or good fortune must be put aside; our efforts must not be on solving today's problems but on solving tomorrow's problems, today. We can solve these problems with selflessness and right intention with determination, insight, discriminative intelligence, and foresight.
We owe this to our children and future generations. We cannot expect anyone to solve our problems for us. Leadership and problem solving begins at home. Our politicians rely Polls to determine what Americans feel and think. This is not leadership.
We are in effect voting to elect a national babysitter who treats us like children because we act like children.
So why vote? Wouldn't it make a better impression to withhold votes? Why not have a campaign for everyone who is disaffected with the corporate government to withhold their vote and then everyone else in the country will realize with clarity just how much unity there is among people who want real and quantifiable change toward a just society.