Black leaders are weighing heavily on Vice President Kamala Harris's outreach efforts to secure support from Black male voters as the Presidential campaign heats up. The Vice President's strategy has involved promoting her "Opportunity Agenda for Black Men" and making appearances at locations like popular barbershops, aiming to uplift and engage this key demographic. Recent polls appear to show her hard work is paying off—according to the Alliance for Black Equality, Harris has gained 10 percentage points of support among Black Generation Z men since early October.
"I do think we’re going to turn out in this election. I do think we’re going to participate," said Khalil Thompson, founder of Win With Black Men, speaking to the underlying sentiment behind Harris's campaign strategy. His optimism also reflects broader findings from the September A19th News/SurveyMonkey poll, where 71 percent of Black men expressed support for legal abortion, showcasing the relevance of the Vice President’s focus on reproductive rights.
Upon announcing her bid for the presidency back in July, over 53,000 Black men participated in her kickoff event, raising $1.3 million within hours. Nevertheless, the challenge Harris faces is evident; her support appears to be dwindling. An October poll from the University of Chicago GenForward revealed alarming statistics: 26 percent of Black men aged 18-40 indicated they might support former President Donald Trump, compared to just 12 percent of Black women.
Mandela Barnes, the former lieutenant governor of Wisconsin, pointed to systemic issues surrounding voter engagement, remarking, "There’s no real connection once the election is over—the rest of the year is radio silence." He emphasized the frustration felt by many Black men, noting they often feel overlooked outside of electoral seasons.
While Harris has called out the findings of the polls she labels negative, she remains steadfast about her real-world interactions. "The brothers aren’t saying this," she asserted during her recent interview on "The Breakfast Club." Her assurance focuses on conversations she has had within her community at barbershops, where she encountered support for her policies.
Offering support through solidarity, Darius Jones, president of the National Black Empowerment Council, believes even losing 20 percent of Black male votes could still mark substantial success for Harris. "There’s not a politician who would not view 80 percent as overwhelming victory," he posited, stressing the importance of unity. He warned against framing the dialogue as divisive between Black men and women, concluding, "It’s about issues, not identity politics."
Thompson conveyed his belief Black men would show up for Harris, relating this partly to the pressures faced by voters within their community. "It’s ironic and funny to point out," he said, noting the historical role of Black voters going back generations. "We’ve built this country for free, and now, we’re expected to save it as well?" This statement speaks volumes about the burden placed on this community and their expectations of recognition and respect.
Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Black men are historically committed to the family unit and do their best not to let their families down. They understand the importance of not letting our sister down this time around." Drawing attention to the pride within the community, Seawright's comments punch home the message of solidarity, one where family commitments blend with civic duties.
Meanwhile, reflecting on contrary opinions, rapper Lord Jamar expressed his disdain for Harris and claimed she is unqualified for the presidential role, stating bluntly, "This woman, to me, is not qualified to run, you know, a Dunkin’ Donuts or a 7-Eleven, let alone the corporation we call the United States of America." Sharing his feelings during his appearance on "The Art of Dialogue" podcast, he criticized Harris for her perceived lack of authenticity and effectiveness as a speaker.
The rapper continued to criticize Harris's political persona—calling her "insulting to Black people" and likening her campaign to failed attempts to recreate the Obama phenomenon. He contended voters were being pressured to support her based on identity politics rather than genuine qualifications. "She thinks we’re stupid and will vote for her off of identity politics," Jamar insisted. His views go beyond mere critique; they represent broader frustrations within parts of the Black community.
Interestingly, Jamar went so far as to contemplate voting for Trump, admitting, "I feel she’s so bad ... she’s the one who scares me. I might just go f–k around and vote for Trump ... y’all motherf–kers think you’re gonna shame somebody or bully them to vote for this bitch? Absolutely not." Such sentiments reflect the serious discontent with Democratic strategies, demonstrating how vocal disenchantment could sway voter behavior.
Drawing attention to the fear tactics deployed by some Democrats against Trump, Jamar casually dismissed such approaches, asserting, "People want to act like Trump is the worst... but guess what? He was already president, and all this s–t didn’t happen." This opinion resonates with some constituents who may feel burned by past promises unfulfilled or unacknowledged.
Following Jamar's scathing remarks, the Harris campaign has yet to comment on this backlash or the attitudes these critiques represent. Indeed, these conversations also show the complexity of the political climate as candidates gear up for the upcoming election, forcing them to navigate not only support from various demographics but also confront primary challenges from within their party.
