How the Democrat Party Undermines the Black Experience

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the VRA in 1965. Photo courtesy: NPR

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 gave Black Americans the right to vote. (Not gonna lie; that year surprised me… it makes me think of how this wasn’t too long ago.) 

According to NAACP, this Act was passed under President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Democrat, “whose intention was to pass a federal Voting Rights Act to ensure that no federal, state, or local government could in any way impede people from voting because of their race or ethnicity.” I believe this has forced Black Americans to swear by the Democratic party regardless of its wrongdoings… let me explain.

After that bill was passed, President Johnson took it upon himself to say, “I’ll have those n***ers voting Democratic for the next 200 years.” And it’s clear where we’re heading.

Just like President Johnson, we never know who’s actually for us. But in this case, it doesn’t matter who’s for us… it’s who looks like us.

Disclaimer: I am a registered Democrat. Crazy, I know, but listennnn. This will all make sense, I promise. 

This is why I would like to introduce to you the tactics of identity politics. Something we have become victims of. Let’s define it- identity politics is politics based on a particular identity, such as ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender…etc. Which is what the DP seems to cling to.

Identity politics is often the default mode of engagement, especially in this current race. Regardless of intentions, this approach cages us into monolithic categories. Nowhere is this more apparent than in how the DP engages with Black voters. The assumption that every black person will automatically vote blue is quite asinine.

Not every single black person in America is a Democrat, and I wonder why it is so hard for people to accept that. Both parties give us crumbs. The only difference is the other adds a little glitter to it.

Ever since Biden went on the Breakfast Club and said, “If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain't black,” it’s been taken too literally. We became too worried about not being black enough instead of ridiculing him.

When Black people and our culture are showcased merely to fill a quota or to endorse a narrative, it undermines the authenticity and depth of our experiences. Genuine representation means more than just counting heads.

Example. A few months ago, Kamala Harris was appointed the new presidential candidate. The first thing she did was host a rally in Atlanta- the blackest city known to man. At this rally, she brought out many key figures in hip-hop/rap. Like Megan Thee Stallion, Quavo and she even walked out to Beyonce’s song ‘Freedom.’ Now you may be thinking, what’s wrong with that? I understand these artists portray a certain lifestyle, but they shouldn’t be limited to that.

Megan thee Stallion graduated from Texas Southern University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in health administration. Rather than having her perform in such a professional environment, maybe she could’ve given a speech on the importance of health in the black community. That is so much more powerful than performing “body crazy, curvy wavy, big t* little waist.” Plus, she had to censor almost every song. Quavo could’ve spoken a bit more on gun violence, given that a senseless act of gun violence killed his cousin and groupmate Takeoff. 

We are missing the mark. The DP does this because the black vote is expected. We have sworn our allegiance to the DP. The only way to keep us happy is by giving us the black experience- hip-hop/rap, being from the hood, and some brown lady who’s suddenly black.

Regardless, it is important to note that my dissent and reasonings are in hopes of a healthier dynamic with black people and political ideologies.

We need to open our eyes and become “woke” to what is right in front of us.

The black vote must be earned, and the DP continues to underestimate us because we let them.