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For Black Democrats, Kamala Harris’s defeat of Trump is personal

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“They were willing to risk everything,” Plaskett said of the vulnerable communities that mobilized to elect Harris, including some white allies. Unfortunately, their efforts weren’t enough to place Kamala Harris within the White House in 2025.

While many feel helpless and terrified on the prospect of a second Trump administration, Plaskett had a direct message for these voters, especially Black women – 91% of whom voted for Harris.

UNITED STATES – MARCH 30: Ranking Member Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-V.I., speaks in the course of the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on Arming the Federal Government hearing on Missouri v. Biden, difficult the administration’s violation of the First Amendment by ordering a social media company to censor and suppress Americans’ free speech, Rayburn Building, Thursday, March 30, 2023 (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Since the election was called, Democrats have engaged in a blame game, attempting to make sense of not only Harris’ loss but, more importantly, Trump’s growing share of the voting electorate, including from white women, Latinos – and to a small extent Black men – who they consider were voted against own interests.

“People chose to side with someone who at least felt comfortable saying that, which clearly sent a signal to his supporters that it was not only okay, but somewhat accepted,” explained Payne, who worked on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016.

As Trump returns to the White House, Payne warned there might be a “very heightened level of concern for vulnerable communities, especially Black people.”

Plaskett, who served alongside Harris on the Congressional Black Caucus, stated that she believed Harris’ loss was partly a result of her identity as a girl and an individual of color. When President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris, the congresswoman recalled telling others, “I trust us black women, but I’m not entirely sure what white men and white women will do.”

When the election results confirmed her suspicions, she added: “It’s very painful.”

In addition to expected hurdles in winning over white voters on account of Harris’ identity as a black and South Asian woman, Clyburn, an in depth confidant of Biden, said he was particularly concerned about black men.

Jim Clyburn, theGrio.com
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23: House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-GA) speaks on health care expansion and reconciliation package during a news conference with other lawmakers on the U.S. Capitol on September 23, 2021 in Washington, DC. The group talked in regards to the must expand health care to assist low-income Americans. (Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Although former President Barack Obama and others were heavily criticized for suggesting that some black men wouldn’t vote for Harris because she is a girl (78% of black men voted for Harris, in response to an exit poll), Clyburn said he and other Democrats have already recognized the primary signs of some defections within the party’s second most loyal voting bloc.

“(There was) a strong feeling growing among African-American men that…the black woman was the backbone (of the party)…black men took offense to that,” Clyburn said.

Congresswoman Plaskett said that given the white vote and the small portion of black and brown voters who joined them, she didn’t consider “we have aligned interests in this country.” She added: “In order to defeat Donald Trump and white privilege, we must acknowledge this.”

While it is argued that Harris lost the election because Trump won over voters together with his message on the economy and immigration, Democrats don’t exactly buy it. While they acknowledge that the present president-elect has won the knowledge and messaging war, they consider this only tells part of the story.

In their view, Harris had a more comprehensive economic plan (backed by data) that has been proven to grow the economy. Democrats also said Trump clearly encouraged Republicans to create chaos around the difficulty quite than work with Democrats to pass already proposed laws to deal with the country’s border and broken immigration system.

Plaskett said that despite Harris being the “perfect candidate” and running a “flawless campaign against a convicted felon, twice impeached, poorly disciplined man who said he would do terrible things to people,” voters felt “They have nothing to do with it.”

Democratic presidential candidate, US Vice President Kamala Harris (left) and Republican presidential candidate, former US President Donald Trump. (Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

Regardless of the cause, Payne expressed concerns that the 2024 election results may lead to the “potential marginalization of already marginalized groups,” akin to Black voters, Arab-American voters and Latino voters.

“I am concerned that these groups who are already marginalized… may be judged or essentially blamed en masse for an election outcome that is less targeted and more systemic,” he continued.

“I would borrow words from modern hip-hop philosopher Jay-Z and remind people that no one wins when family feuds,” said Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist who advises on national campaigns.

“It was Joe Biden who helped bring Kamala Harris to the forefront of our party,” Seawright said, “as his running mate, vice president, and willing and able partner on the political floor and in the political dance.” floor for the last 4 years.

As they appear ahead to the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential election, Democrats proceed to view Harris because the viable leader of the party.

Congressman Clyburn said he hopes Harris will “turn this obstacle into a stepping stone and provide a vision for it.”

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“I see no reason why Kamala Harris shouldn’t have a place in the future Democratic Party,” Payne said, noting that the vp “has been put in an extremely difficult position,” including having only 100 days to construct a national campaign while competing with Trump in “attention economy,” raising money and reuniting the Democratic coalition.

“I think Kamala Harris has a lot to be proud of,” he said. “You could have put a lot of Democrats there – governors, senators, former candidates, etc., and honestly, a lot of them wouldn’t have done as well as she did.”

However, Payne also stressed that Democrats must “cast a wide net to determine who in the next group of leaders is best positioned to help the party make small reforms and help it grow and evolve.”

The Democratic strategist noted that many Democrats “felt similarly concerned about the party’s political future” after John Kerry lost the 2004 election to President George W. Bush.

“We didn’t know Barack Obama was going to happen,” Payne said.

As Democrats scramble to position themselves because the opposition party to Trump, which could include regaining a majority within the U.S. House of Representatives once the remaining races are called, Payne said: “We needs to be disenchanted because I believe we all know what a mean Trump presidency will do, but I do not think we must always hang our heads as if we were helpless.

“We have the power. We represent tens of millions of voters,” he argued. “Democrats were able to oppose Donald Trump in good faith in 2016, 2017 and beyond, and I think we are well-positioned to do so again.”

Ultimately, Seawright said, “the American people have spoken.” He added: “They gave (Trump) essentially unchecked power. So we just must see what this actually means.


Headshot by Gerren Keith Gaynor

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Politics and Current

Trump’s dismantling of the Department of Education spells doom for Black America

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Affirmative Action, Supreme Court, race-based admissions, black student enrollment, black college enrollment, theGrio.com

President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education is being criticized as a possible whitewash of the American education system and a challenge to Title I and Title VI that would prevent funding for special education, school lunch programs, and the possible cancellation of summer schools.

Duncan fears “the whitewashing of our history” and adds: “We have to worry about defunding the most vulnerable groups in society. Title I Money for Poor Children – money for children with special needs or school lunches – anything that can be taken away.”

He continued: “Focus on after-school programs and summer schools may be taken away. Access to higher education – may be restricted.”

Duncan, also A Howard University’s board of trustees has expressed concern about HBCU funding during the second Trump administration. During Trump’s first term, his adviser Steve Bannon argued that committing to more funding for the institution after a White House meeting with Trump can be unconstitutional, justifying concerns that such conduct constitutes discrimination against other races and ethnic groups.

WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 27: U.S. President Donald Trump poses with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Oval Office of the White House on February 27, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Aude Guerrucci-Pool/Getty Images)

HBCU supporters are concerned about whether or not they can be funded at the appropriate level. Historically, HBCUs have needed more funding, especially amid challenges from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling banning race-based admissions to predominantly white colleges, also often called affirmative motion. Applications to HBCUs are on the rise, causing schools to fret about housing capability, scholarships and sophistication sizes.

Former U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., said Trump’s education proposals are “appalling.”

Jones continued: “The Department of Education is also responsible for investigating anti-Semitism on college campuses, which Republicans say is important to them.”

He added: “But when the rubber meets the road, (Republicans) will quickly abandon it, undermining this important federal department.”

Howard University was ranked No. 1 among HBCUs on Forbes' list of America's Best Colleges

As President-elect Trump prepares to take the oath of office in roughly 70 days, IMD’s Global Competitiveness Center Competitiveness Report 2024 ranks American educational standing twelfth in the world.

Trump said he desires to “fire the radical left accreditors who have allowed our colleges and universities to be dominated by Marxist maniacs and lunatics.”

In recent years, some Republican governors have opposed the College Board’s accreditation of an AP African-American studies course that provided college credit.

Bumbaugh believes that anything that just isn’t directly related to federal funding is an area government issue for schools. However, he said, voters could have a say in that call because “it will likely be through school board elections and then through state-level elections, similar to governors, where the governor selects state education chiefs.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Politics and Current

North Carolina Plantation Descendants Won’t ‘Cower’ From ‘Disrespectful’ Massive Texts About Slavery After Donald Trump’s Election

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Outrage As Black College Students Nationwide Receive Racist Texts Telling Them to

Descendants of certainly one of North Carolina’s largest plantations have condemned mass text messages sent to Black Americans across the country informing them that they’ve been “selected to pick cotton” the day after Donald Trump was re-elected president.

Black people across the country were sent the identical message with slight differences, informing them that that they had been “selected to pick cotton on the nearest plantation.”

Dozens of text messages informed recipients that the “executive slaves” would arrive in a “brown van” that will transport them to the plantations after which inform the victims which “plantation group,” marked AZ, they belonged to.

Outrage as Black college students across country receive racist text messages telling them to 'be ready' to pick cotton after Donald Trump's inauguration
Left: A screenshot of text messages received by Black students after Donald Trump won his second presidential election on November 5, 2024. (Photos: X/@samiamonae1, Getty Images)

Beverly Evans said ABC11 that “people who received these messages felt disrespected, and all of us, as Black people, felt disrespected because of this.”

The 76-year-old recently learned that she is descended from a family that was once enslaved on the Stagville Plantation in Durham, North Carolina. According to Stagville’s websitethe plantation belonged to the Bennehan-Cameron family, which enslaved over 900 people across 30,000 acres of land within the state.

The North Carolina Department of Historic Sites reported that some people even received text messages mentioning the Stagville plantation:

“We have become aware that some North Carolinians have received alarming text messages regarding the Stagville State Historic Plantation Site. North Carolina Historic Sites condemns these acts that sought to incite fear and division by weaponizing history. Stagville is a sacred space where visitors can grapple with the history of slavery, emancipation and injustice. We will cooperate with law enforcement to investigate these hateful and fraudulent messages.”

Another person whose family was once enslaved on the Stagville plantation asserted that he wouldn’t be unnerved by messages designed to stoke fear and intimidation.

“We don’t hide anymore. We are no longer intimidated. Those days are over,” said Ricky Hart. “They can try the intimidation factor or the fear factor, but it won’t work anymore.”

The news sparked a social media firestorm and was condemned by many state and federal elected officials. Authorities strongly urged anyone who received the message to contact local FBI field offices and state agencies.

Federal agents opened an investigation and dispatched criminal, cyber and counterintelligence agencies to analyze the matter. It is unclear right now whether the lyrics come from the United States or abroad.

A spokesman for CTIA, the official trade association representing the U.S. wireless communications industry, he told NBC News blocked many messages and the numbers that sent them. The association urged people to send spam text messages to 7726 or “SPAM” to report them to their wireless service provider.

Divisive and hateful rhetoric has increased throughout the last presidential election cycle. Trump has been hailed by his opponents as a significant influencer of this rhetoric, raising concerns that race relations within the country will proceed to deteriorate once he returns to office.

The NAACP released an announcement stating that the messages “represent an alarming increase in vile and disgusting rhetoric from racist groups across the country who now feel emboldened to spread hate and fan the flames of fear many of us feel in the wake of Tuesday’s election results.”

Brian Hughes, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, condemned the text messages last week, stating: “If we can find the origin of these messages that promote this kind of ugliness on our behalf, we will of course take legal action to stop it.”

This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Politics and Current

As an Afro-Latina, I struggle to understand why Latinos voted for Trump – essence

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Celeste Polanco

As we tried to discuss the election results, my mother’s hopeless voice welcomed my call. I heard my stepdad cheer, “Yay!” within the background. Unfortunately, he’s one among the numerous Latinos who supported Trump’s presidency. Anger surged through my body as I heard my father figure praising a person who could care less concerning the woman he “loved” probably the most – my mother. This is the truth for many Latinos who cannot understand why other Latinos would vote for Donald Trump.

54% Latinos voted for Trump, 18% greater than within the 2020 election. These are the identical men who got here from women. By electing a person who has made countless racist comments about our own culture, they’ve concurrently turned their backs on the ladies they got here here to vote for. As an Afro-Latina, seeing these results online and in my family is deeply disheartening and an enormous sign of disrespect.

In the Latino community, men are placed on a pedestal by the ladies within the household. These women cook, clean, raise children, work or stay at home for their careers, and more. Women carry Latinas on their backs just to be paid to accomplish that, with their rights to their bodies questioned. These usually are not only the bodies of their moms and wives, but additionally of their grandmothers, daughters and granddaughters. The results of this election are a transparent signal that the Latino pedestal has been held too high for too long. Trump-supporting Latinos bask within the election ends in the presence of the ladies they were supposed to protect.

Some of those men have a good time with 37% Latinas who voted for Trump are 7% greater than in 2020. These are the identical women who almost definitely won’t have the proper to end an unwanted pregnancy. This also concerns a more essential issue – these women placed on a pedestal a person who doesn’t respect them.

Donald Trump has been outspoken about women’s bodies and has even been accused of sexual assault, and yet women still select him. As Latinas, we’d like to stop supporting and making excuses for men who don’t select us in our home or country. This is our way of showing our daughters that it’s okay to accept disrespect. We also show them that there is no such thing as a “no” in politics.

Voting for Donald Trump is an act of violence against many groups, but especially against women. Healing is how I and plenty of others get through this time. I found peace in allowing my tears to flow and soften as I released my anger. By embracing the healing process, we as women can move forward.

Go for a walk, cry, shout, block, unfollow, end friendships and set boundaries. This is your healing process; there is no such thing as a right or unsuitable way to do it. Your emotions usually are not very high. They are on time. And despite what is occurring in our country, please remember: You and your body still matter.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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