In the lead-up to this year’s election, there has been a renewed focus on Black male voters. Polls show a slippage in Black voter support for the Democratic Party, with Vice President Kamala Harris garnering just 78% of the Black vote—far below the 90% support Joe Biden received in 2020. This decline is largely driven by a drop-in support among Black men, with 20% of them reportedly backing former President Donald Trump, according to a recent New York Times/Siena College poll. Given that Black Americans are the core of the Democratic base, any erosion of support could have serious electoral consequences in what is expected to be a tight race.
But it is crucial to recognize that Black voters are not a monolith, and this is especially true for Black men. We tend to vote for those who will do the least harm to our physical, economic, and social well-being, and for the last 60 years, the Democratic Party has generally been seen as the lesser of two evils. Several factors help explain the lack of enthusiasm for Harris among Black male voters. Some of these reasons are tied to misogyny and toxic masculinity, while others stem from misinformation about Harris’ policies and record. Despite the overall recovery of the economy from the 2020 recession, many Black men have not felt these gains in their own lives and is reluctant to vote because of this. Additionally, there is a segment of Black men who are conservative and prefer to vote Republican.
The Harris campaign has been actively courting Black male voters. Former President Barack Obama has campaigned on her behalf, speaking directly to this demographic. The campaign has also released a targeted agenda for Black men, which includes proposals for forgivable loans for small businesses, expanded healthcare access, apprenticeship opportunities, and the national decriminalization of marijuana. However, if Harris loses this November, it will not be due to Black men’s votes. The blame will lie squarely with a majority of white voters who once again align themselves with Trump and his racist, fascist, and xenophobic ideologies.
In 2016, 54% of white voters supported Trump, compared to 39% for Hillary Clinton. In 2020, 57% of white voters backed Trump, while 42% supported President Biden. White voters remain the only racial group in which a majority has voted for Trump, and it is likely that a majority of white voters will again support him this election. Throughout his political career, Trump has faced resounding rejection from Black voters, and we will not accept blame if he returns to the White House. The responsibility lies with white voters who continue to enable him.
Black voters, and Black men in particular, will overwhelmingly vote against Trump this election. While the decline in enthusiasm compared to 2020 is concerning, and the Harris campaign must continue to shore up Black support leading up to Election Day, the narrative should not focus on what marginalized voters have or haven’t done. Instead, it should center on why a significant portion of this country is willing to risk democracy and burn it all down rather than embrace a multiracial, inclusive future.
But it is crucial to recognize that Black voters are not a monolith, and this is especially true for Black men. We tend to vote for those who will do the least harm to our physical, economic, and social well-being, and for the last 60 years, the Democratic Party has generally been seen as the lesser of two evils. Several factors help explain the lack of enthusiasm for Harris among Black male voters. Some of these reasons are tied to misogyny and toxic masculinity, while others stem from misinformation about Harris’ policies and record. Despite the overall recovery of the economy from the 2020 recession, many Black men have not felt these gains in their own lives and is reluctant to vote because of this. Additionally, there is a segment of Black men who are conservative and prefer to vote Republican.
The Harris campaign has been actively courting Black male voters. Former President Barack Obama has campaigned on her behalf, speaking directly to this demographic. The campaign has also released a targeted agenda for Black men, which includes proposals for forgivable loans for small businesses, expanded healthcare access, apprenticeship opportunities, and the national decriminalization of marijuana. However, if Harris loses this November, it will not be due to Black men’s votes. The blame will lie squarely with a majority of white voters who once again align themselves with Trump and his racist, fascist, and xenophobic ideologies.
In 2016, 54% of white voters supported Trump, compared to 39% for Hillary Clinton. In 2020, 57% of white voters backed Trump, while 42% supported President Biden. White voters remain the only racial group in which a majority has voted for Trump, and it is likely that a majority of white voters will again support him this election. Throughout his political career, Trump has faced resounding rejection from Black voters, and we will not accept blame if he returns to the White House. The responsibility lies with white voters who continue to enable him.
Black voters, and Black men in particular, will overwhelmingly vote against Trump this election. While the decline in enthusiasm compared to 2020 is concerning, and the Harris campaign must continue to shore up Black support leading up to Election Day, the narrative should not focus on what marginalized voters have or haven’t done. Instead, it should center on why a significant portion of this country is willing to risk democracy and burn it all down rather than embrace a multiracial, inclusive future.
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