As I reported extensively on Saturday, the dam is breaking when it comes to Black people and their perceived unified support of the Democratic Party. This is particularly evident among Black men, who have loudly declared that they no longer support the party and its goals that run counter to their concerns and issues. Fox Digital interviewed attendees at a Trump rally on July 27 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they weighed in on what the Democratic Party gets out of wrong with them.
REGARD:
There is something else that is causing a stir among the black intelligentsia. Some are extremely upset that the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is planning a conversation with former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump at its annual Convention & Career Fair in Chicago.
NABJ President Ken Lemon Make clear that this is nothing unusual – for decades, the NABJ has invited presidential candidates from both camps to participate. Some have chosen to participate voluntarily, others have not. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee-elect Kamala Harris was also invited. The NAJB said in its announcement that her confirmation is “pending.” So this conversation is not an endorsement of Trump or any other candidate, but an opportunity for a group of journalists, both immense and tiny, to find facts and information on issues that matter to black Americans and present them to their readers and followers, rather than relying on the major news feeds like AP and Reuters.
While NABJ, as a journalism organization, does not endorse political candidates, we understand the solemn work of our members and welcome the opportunity for them to ask the arduous questions that will yield the truthful answers that black Americans want and need to know.
The NABJ convention begins on Wednesday, July 31, and they will host the Trump Talk at 12:00 noon Central Time.
🟥 Former US President Donald J. Trump will participate in a conversation with journalists at #NABJ24 during its opening day in Chicago on Wednesday, July 31, at 12:00 p.m. CST. More details: https://t.co/3WBTzQg8dd pic.twitter.com/VoPLU41xJC
— #NABJHQ ✊🏾🖊️🎙️💻 📷 🎥 📝 🔈 (@NABJ) July 30, 2024
Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump will participate in a conversation with journalists during the opening day of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention and Career Fair in Chicago on Wednesday, July 31, at noon CST.
Trump will participate in a question-and-answer session with political journalists before an audience of registered congressional delegates. The focuses on the most pressing issues facing the black community.
The event will be moderated by Rachel Scott, senior congressional correspondent at ABC News, Harris Faulkner, host of The Faulkner Focus and co-host of Outnumbered on FOX News, and Kadia Goba, political reporter at Semafor.
The three black women journalists moderating the discussion represent left, right, and independent or centrist journalism. So where is the problem? Well, the fact that Harris Faulkner, senior correspondent for Fox News and host of Faulkner Focus, is not considered a solemn journalist by certain members of the NABJ. And even though the announcement clearly states that there will be a question-and-answer session where other journalists can submit their questions, the comments and responses to the NABJ Headquarters X announcement are filled with cries of “Trump is lying,” “Trump is evil,” and so on. The event hasn’t even taken place yet, and the gatekeepers of Democratic orthodoxy are already capitalizing on their displeasure. How dare the NABJ sit down with a convicted felon and insurrectionist?
What’s the point of inviting a 34-time convicted felon and known liar? I’m glad I decided not to participate this year.
— Carmen Glover (@OnPointPress_) July 30, 2024
Bringing Trump’s evil into a unthreatening space for black people? Hold on to your pearls!
Why? This should be a unthreatening space for black journalists, not an opportunity for an enemy of black people to have another platform. Yuck.
– Kyla Jenée Lacey (@Kyla_Lacey) July 30, 2024
This aunt is completely confused and also horrified by this step.
This is absolutely disgusting. Giving a platform to a convicted felon, racist and rapist! What could be the reason for this?!
– MrsBundrige (@MrsBundrige) July 30, 2024
As far as I know, that used to be the job of journalists: to whip up the news about presidential candidates so that every voter, regardless of their political leanings, was informed. Pulitzer candidate Carron J. Phillips made it clear that the organizer of this thing lacked intellectual competence.
This is by far the dumbest and worst decision in NABJ history.
Whoever made that call is an idiot. And I’m going to tell him so to his face this week. https://t.co/IlJIxwbjnx
— Carron J. Phillips (@carronJphillips) July 30, 2024
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell co-organized the event and applauded back at Phillips.
I worked on this call. And it’s consistent with the invitations NABJ has sent to every presidential candidate for decades. But keep up the good work. I’ll continue to work to give journalists the opportunity to interview the potential next president.
And that’s a good thing, because that’s what we call responsible journalism. But some people cannot be appeased and remain indoctrinated.
I understand the concerns about Trump, which is why we’ve selected a group of tough journalists to ask him questions. This has created a uncommon opportunity to explore his vision for America and ask questions. We can’t ignore someone who could be the next leader of the free world.
It is telling that Mitchell locked her account following Monday’s announcement and the ensuing uproar.
It’s embarrassing to see how many people reflexively expect all black journalists to be mouthpieces for the Democratic Party. That’s not how it works. Either Trump or Harris will be the next president. They should WANT black journalists to talk to both https://t.co/pp20LEngFt
— Darvio Morrow (@DTheKingpin) July 30, 2024
Dr. Nikki Johnson put it the way she sees it. The elites, black or not, are not content about black people being informed.
How dare journalists allow black people to listen to all the candidates in a presidential race and make their own decisions! We tell you what to believe and how to vote. There should never be a choice on your ballot unless it’s Democrat! Fire the gatekeepers!
— Nikki M. Johnson, MD, DNBPAS ⚕ (@notaproviderMD) July 30, 2024
Most surprising was that the editor in chief of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution backed Mitchell. It should not be a point of contention that a leading presidential candidate is given a platform where journalists can ask him questions and he answers them. That should be the norm. When did we lose sight of that?
We need to “normalize” this: candidates for office standing in front of journalists and answering questions. We look forward to the visit of the Republican candidate #NABJ24. It would be great to have the likely Democratic nominee and others there. Well done @nabj @TIReports
— Leroy Chapman Jr. (@AJCLeroyChapman) July 30, 2024
The event is not open to the public but will be streamed live on the National Association of Black Journalists’ YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The other recent development comes from Black Twitter and a vocal group of black conservative men who were appalled by the White Dudes for Kamala Harris call on Monday night. So they decided to launch their own ZOOM call on Tuesday night titled: “Blacks against Kamala Harris.”
Reportedly, over 50,000 people from across the country have joined the White Dudes For Kamala Zoom. We are fighting this propaganda to show them what real support is. We encourage you to join the influential Black women and men on this call to prove that the majority of America is against Kamala Harris.
Judge Joe Brown, actor and activist Isaiah Washington, X School for Boys founder King Randall, veteran and activist Billy Ray Todd, Florida’s 24th District candidate Lavern Spicer, veteran and podcaster Rob Smith, and a number of other prominent and lesser-known conservative black voices are expected to join the call.
We are honored to have you with us in our effort to secure this election. You have the LIES, but we have the NUMBERS.
Only time will tell if the outcry matches the actual voter turnout and which candidate will benefit from that engagement. But one thing is clear: It’s no longer business as usual for black people in politics.
