Ever wonder why white voters in America tend to control the outcome? Yes, they are the majority of citizens, regardless of their ‘hot air’ many don’t or haven’t ever voted. Speaking of which, did you know about half of all our eligible voters approximately 92 million…don’t vote! But what’s astounding is a significant percentage of that 92 million non-voters are African-American.
Yes, the electoral college, moneyed interests and immigration strongly contributed to Trump’s Presidential outcome, but one of the underlying drivers for his voting success is racial. To understand that, one has to examine the black voter to understand the fear-based action of Trump’s voters.
So, let’s pretend you’re Black…where you’re racially outcast, insulted daily, shot by the police, considered less than equal (except in sports) and socially/culturally directed into low paying jobs…why wouldn’t you either revolt or get heavily involved into politics? Doesn’t make sense, does it?
Versus the outrage of the white right-wingers carrying loaded AR-15s around the streets to…’peacefully protest’… sorta like Donald’s “good people” carrying Tiki torches.
Still can’t connect the dots? Imagine a police officer has his knee on your son’s neck and he’s crying out ‘I can’t breathe,’ then he dies… how mad would you be? Would you riot?
The racially fear-driven mistake of the ‘freedom loving’ GOP is in reorganizing voting districts (gerrymandering) just to deny the vote to Black people. What other reason is there, when the Black community hasn’t shown a concerted interest in voting? Talk about blatant racist hypocrisy unconnected to reality. Whereas most African Americans are actually as conservative in their beliefs and actions as “yesterday’s” white GOP and today’s “Born-Again” voters… Most Blacks go to church every Sunday, hold strong beliefs against gays and abortions, and largely support the current economic and political system.
Historically, Black patriotic involvement in national defense, generational sacrifice and non-violent protest hasn’t budged racism in America. OK, percentage wise, with the help of school allotments and EEOC, the Black American has edged into lower middle class; but this hasn’t changed the lot for the majority who are the largest single group in prison and have almost negative legal life possibilities… It’s their problem…
So why haven’t Black Americans really emerged as a political force? No, the answer isn’t racial inferiority. Black slaves brought to the Americas were from West Africa. Nigerian (West Africa) immigrants blow away white Americans on a percentage basis in education and economic success. Is the Black passivity a result of generations of slavery to suppression that is now their ‘accepted’ life burden…? Is it Black hope that white civility and God will win out…? Is it religion’s promise of the hereafter… or are they just incredibly good Americans?
I’m betting it’s the latter.
Dave Blake
Chromo, CO