Kanye West and the Power of the Black Vote

by with No Comment CultureFeaturedPolitics

Kanye West declared his candidacy for president. Then he was no longer running. Now Republican operatives are trying to get him on the ballot in Wisconsin. Yes, Republicans are trying to help Kanye run for President in hopes that he’ll steal enough votes from Biden, which could ultimately help Trump win the state.

It sounds crazy, but it’s true. What’s worse than the actual Republican plan to get Kanye on the ballot? Their belief that Black voters are dumb enough to fall for it. Because that’s really what this boils down to… the power of the Black vote. If Kanye is on the ballot, can Kanye, with the help of Republican strategists, convince enough African-Americans to vote for him instead of Biden? The answer should be no. And whether they think the answer is no as well, they’re desperate and willing to try anything.

If Black voters in Wisconsin, and the rest of the country for that matter, show up to vote for Biden like South Carolinians did in the primaries under James Clyburn’s leadership, then Trump will be a one-term president. Whether or not Black voters are convinced Biden deserves their vote is a worthy question and debate, but considering Kanye is not. Republicans might not admit it, but they fully understand the power of the Black vote, and this latest stunt with Kayne proves it.

Similar Read: Kanye West’s Political Party

Should Biden’s VP be a Black Woman?

by with 5 Comments FeaturedhighlightPolitics

In an unenthusiastic race for president the light and fire for the Democratic side will come from the vice-presidential pick. Former Vice President, Joe Biden is the presumptive nominee after a long primary that hasn’t officially ended.  After the last round of primary races in March, Biden announced that he would pick a woman as his running mate. To no surprise women and many liberals were ecstatic at his announcement. 

That was over a month ago. 

Now as we approach June many are wondering whom Biden will pick. Several women have already made their intentions clear about their desire to run alongside Biden. California US Senator Kamala Harris, Massachusetts US Senator Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota US Senator Amy Klobaucar have all expressed interest after failed primary bids for president. There’s also Stacy Abrams, who ran a tight and unsuccessful bid to become the Democratic Governor of Georgia in 2018. 

While a woman as a vice presidential running mate would be historic, having a Black woman would be monumental. But does Biden owe it to the Black community to pick a black woman as his running mate? South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn doesn’t think so. Considering the Biden campaign’s win in South Carolina was a major turning point during the primary, especially because of Clyburn’s endorsement, it’s reasonable to think Biden might listen to his advice. But that advice hurts Black women and their chances to become VP, and deprives the Black community of actualizing a national Black candidate outside of former President Barack Obama.

Joe Biden should pick a woman of color and that woman of color should be a Black woman.

Black voters in America have been the driving force behind the Democratic party for decades. And Black women are the most consistent voting bloc of the Democratic party. But Biden shouldn’t pick a Black vice-presidential candidate because he owes it to loyal Black voters, but because it would signal that he values the Black vote beyond election day. It would signal he values Black voices in the policy realm and more importantly it sets up his pick to run for president in the future.

Similar Read: The Demise of Kamala Harris – the Good, the Bad, and What’s Next

Warren and Pete Showed Up… Bloomberg Hit, Amy Flustered

by with One Comment FeaturedPolitics

Bloomberg has spent nearly $400M in political ads, but nothing could save him from getting his ass handed to him by every candidate on stage at last night’s debate in Nevada. Unprepared, arrogant… considering his campaign spoke highly about his debate prep his performance was frankly embarrassing. But did anyone expect him to shine in his first debate? I don’t think so. With that being said, he better do better in the next debate or that might be the worst use of a half a billion… ever. Every candidate took their shots, but Elizabeth Warren probably landed the biggest and most memorable blows.


Speaking of Warren, she was the clear winner last night. For the first time, she realized she was in a fight and came out swinging… at everyone, particularly Klobuchar, who was the clear loser last night. Amy came across defensive and flustered. I think many would even say she lost her cool by suggesting Pete was calling her “dumb” for questioning her committee seats and apparent lack of awareness and knowledge of the region. In frustration, Klobuchar said, “’I Wish Everyone Was As Perfect As You, Pete,” which was evidence that he had gotten under her skin, and it showed. Klobuchar was under so much fire Warren decided to defend her by suggesting the moderator’s question was unfair. 


Biden was typical Biden. He didn’t impress… as usual just average, and average isn’t going to get it done. If you’re a Biden supporter, watching his decline and slip in the polls I’m sure has been hard and sad to watch. He didn’t do well in Iowa or New Hampshire, and if he doesn’t do well in Nevada or Super Tuesday (especially South Carolina), the once presumptuous 2020 Democratic presidential nominee’s political career will come to a disappointing end. Bernie was Bernie… screaming instead of talking and reminding us that billionaires are evil people, it’s immoral to have that much money, and again… billionaires are evil people. But as the poll leader in Nevada and the overall race for nominee, the distraction of newcomer Bloomberg served him well. He left unscathed, will likely win Nevada, and go on to do well on Super Tuesday. 

Pete shined… he was polished, he stung Bloomberg and Klobuchar often and hard. 

If NBC wanted a fight, that’s exactly what they got. I’m not sure the Democratic Party and the DNC can be proud of what took place last night. But if one thing’s for sure after last night, the Dems have some fighters… and it’ll take a fighter to beat Trump.  

If I Was Your Son, What Advice Would You Give Me Next Time I’m Pulled Over By a Police Officer?

by with 3 Comments CultureFeaturedPolitics

Scene: Presidential Justice Forum at Benedict College, an HBCU – Historically Black College & University, in South Carolina (the actual forum itself is worth a deeper discussion than this post)

Black student: “If I was your son, what advice would you give me next time I’m pulled over by a police officer?”

(The question stumped Bernie and he asked the student to repeat the question)

Bernie Sanders: “I would do my best to identify who that police officer is in a polite way, ask him or her for their name. I would respect what they are doing so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head.”

It’s important to note that Bernie agreed to do this forum about criminal justice at an HBCU. This wasn’t a hot mic walking out of a congressional hearing or another event following a traumatic incident of police brutality. Did he not expect to get asked a question about criminal justice and its impact on African-Americans at this event? Regardless, that’s the best answer he could come up with?

Unacceptable.

That response is beyond troubling because Bernie is basically implying that the only reason Black men get shot by the police is because they’re not respectful, and if they would just be respectful then they wouldn’t get shot and killed. We don’t have to dive deep into history to know that this is a false narrative often pushed by media, ignorant and racist pundits, and a narrative clearly perpetuated by one, if not more than one, presidential candidate.

Sean King and Nina Turner, prominent Black social and political supporters and voices in his corner, and he was still ill-prepared to answer such a question. It’s embarrassing and likely disqualifying for many millennials of color.

Will he win the nomination? Who knows. If I was a gambler I’d say Biden will win because he’s atop of the polls and appears to be the safe choice, for both White women and older Black voters. But Bernie has consistently been a top-3 candidate from the beginning, and whether he is or not, it’s not reassuring to know that the potential Commander-in-Chief thinks police brutality is a byproduct of victims being disrespectful.

Race, a tough topic that has stumped many of the Democratic candidates, can’t be brushed aside considering these candidates simply can’t win without minorities turning out in droves to vote for them. Biden, Buttigieg, Sanders, they’ve all struggled when dealing with issues and direct questions about race, and this is yet another unacceptable-disqualifying example.

Democratic presidential candidates… do better. 

Biden’s “Apology” Too Late?

by with No Comment FeaturedPolitics

At a recent campaign event in Sumter, South Carolina, Joe Biden decided to apologize for “the pain and misconception he may have caused anybody.” His apology, of course, was in reference to the comments he made a few weeks ago about his previous work with segregations specifically on the issue of bussing. I’m not sure that’s a real apology, but it’ll check the box for many who have been calling for him to do it.

“Now, was I wrong a few weeks ago to somehow give the impression to people that I was praising those men who I successfully opposed time and again? Yes, I was. I regret it. I’m sorry for any of the pain and misconception I may have caused anybody.” 

But was it too little too late?

When fellow Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker demanded he apologize, he refused to do so. In fact, he demanded Booker give him an apology. When Kamala Harris called him out in the first Democratic presidential debate accounting her personal story as a little girl and her experience with bussing, instead of taking the high road and apologizing, he again chose not to.

Well, a week later and the polls reflected Biden’s less than stellar performance at the presidential debate, and maybe his inability to simply apologize in real time, twice. Most notable polls have Biden down nearly 10 points and both Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren have jumped considerably in the polls. Biden’s also lost half of his Black voter support and he’s faced continuous heat on issues of race.

It’s still early in the race for Democratic nominee. Biden was clearly unprepared in the first debate. Can he bounce back and sustain his lead to hold on to win the nomination? Some pundits say yes and others say no. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Similar Read: Joe Biden Doesn’t Deserve Your Vote