Former President Barack Obama delved deep into the issue in his recent comments aimed at black men who don’t plan to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in November. He and those who defend him are being pilloried on social media after he essentially accused black men of being misogynistic for not wanting to support Harris at the ballot box.
As despicable as his comments were, Obama showed why so many black Americans are turning their backs on Democrats.
For those who haven’t heard, the former president was at a campaign rally for Harris and used the opportunity to lecture the millions of black men who don’t want to vote for the vice president. He argued that they should support her because she “grew up like you” and supposedly faced the same problems as many teenage black men who spent most of their middle-class childhoods in Canada and received better educations.
He then said that these people are “finding all sorts of reasons and excuses” not to vote for Harris. One of these reasons is a perceived mistrust of women.
“Because part of it makes me think – and I speak directly to men – part of it makes me think that you just don’t feel the idea of having a woman as president, and that you’re coming up with other alternatives.” and other reasons for doing so.”
Obama then claimed that “the women in our lives have had our backs all along” and that “when we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”
“And now you’re thinking about sitting out or supporting someone who has denigrated you in the past because you think that’s a sign of strength because that’s what being a man is all about? Degrading women? This is unacceptable,” he concluded.
It’s perfect that Obama chides the “Brothas” for not blindly supporting Kamala Harris while he lives in a mansion on Martha’s Vineyard. Absolutely perfect. pic.twitter.com/gMQcKzhqnL
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) October 11, 2024
Of course, Obama couldn’t be bothered to reach out to black men to hear their concerns about Harris. He didn’t have time to truly understand why a black man would be hesitant to support a party that for decades has refused to fulfill its promises to the black community.
Why? Well, because of course he is a Democratic politician, and a black one at that. They don’t care what black people think. They just want us to join and support their party.
Related: The thrill is gone: Barack Obama’s scolding of black men being set on fire by prominent African Americans
It turns out that Obama’s comments got even worse – he even insults black men who are divided over Kamala
Obama’s comments drew mighty backlash on social media from black media figures on the left and right. Conservative commentator Sonnie Johnson echoed a sentiment I too have expressed for years: Obama and the rest of the black left-wing chatterbox class are not about black empowerment; They are interested in strengthening the Democrats.
They are NOT PRO BLACK. YOU ARE PRO-DEMOCRAT https://t.co/61Avy1SBgl
— Sonnie Johnson (@SonnieJohnson) October 12, 2024
Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, who is as close to winning a marathon as a Trump supporter as I am, stood up for black men and railed against Democrats for preemptively setting her up for a possible loss blame Harris.
If white men supported Harris by 72%, they would be seen as an example of how men can support women.
Why do Democratic leaders portray black men as misogynistic?
It’s wrong.
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) October 11, 2024
BREAKING: 🔥Mom @ninaturner bash Democrats and Obama for directing their frustration at black men! If Kamala loses, it will be because of Kamala, not because of anyone else. #Election2024 pic.twitter.com/BEbtpCODL3
— Ja’Mal Green (@JaymalGreen) October 11, 2024
FCB boss Darvio Morrow summed up the topic perfectly.
But many [black men] ask questions that [Democrats] are not used to having to answer.
They have to answer questions from the black conservatives, the black moderates, the ADOS brothers, the Hotep brothers, the FBA brothers, black libertarians also want to have a say, and they are not used to all of this. All of these groups don’t even agree on everything, but they all pose questions to the Democratic Party. And it would be in their best interest to start answering these questions. There hasn’t been a complete break yet, but it WILL happen if they keep attacking instead of responding.
Do you know what it’s about? They don’t know what to do with the enormous number of black men who are not part of the democratic ecosystem. Podcasts and platforms like this are amplifying a lot of people who didn’t before. And that doesn’t mean they all… https://t.co/v62lp2AvVO
— Darvio Morrow (@DTheKingpin) October 12, 2024
And therein lies the crux of the matter.
The Democrats’ strategy of getting black men to pull the lever for Harris will be about as effective as fighting a grizzly bear with a toothpick. Black men have valid reasons to question the Democratic Party, which has enjoyed their loyalty for decades without offering much in return.
Digital media has given voice to alternative perspectives of Black Americans, as Morrow suggested in his post. In the past, gatekeepers in mainstream media have been able to prevent these individuals from getting their ideas out there. With the media now more democratized, these individuals reach people through social media and other online platforms and have worked their way into the national zeitgeist.
This has also encouraged more black people to voice their problems to Democrats. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will become Republicans, but there is a growing discontent with the left that Democrats want to ignore. But they do so at their own risk. The days of making black people just fall in line are slowly coming to an end.
