Vice President Kamala Harris is looking to empower Black voters — specifically, Black male voters — as her campaign unveils a new list of proposed policies under her “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men.”
As early voting is underway, the 2024 Democratic nominee is releasing a new slate of policy proposals geared toward Black men. The new agenda arrives as several discussions spark about Kamala Harris’ questionable efforts toward Black voters. Taking part in some of those discussions was former President Barack Obama, who bluntly told Black men in America to get over their reluctance to support a Black and Asian female presidential candidate.
Last Thursday (October 10), Barack Obama made a surprise stop at a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania campaign field office before a rally in the city. That day, Obama, America’s first Black president, told Black men, “My understanding, based on reports I’m getting from campaigns and communities, is that we have not yet seen the same kinds of energy and turnout in all quarters of our neighborhoods and communities as we saw when I was running.”
As far as the lack of enthusiasm for VP Harris, he said, “[It] seems to be more pronounced with the brothers.” Obama asked, “And you are thinking about sitting out? Part of it makes me think — and I’m speaking to men directly — part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.” He added, “ [The] women in our lives have been getting our backs this entire time. When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”
While addressing the voters who are still on the fence about Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, Barack Obama said, “On the one hand, you have somebody who grew up like you, knows you, went to college with you, understands the struggles and pain and joy that comes from those experiences.”
Obama noted that VP Harris is Black and Asian American and that she is focused on policies (like affordable housing and health care) that will help Black communities. Obama added, “And on the other side, you have someone who has consistently shown disregard, not just for the communities, but for you as a person.”
On Monday (October 14), Kamala Harris unveiled her new list of policies for Black voters called the “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men” and it includes:
- Providing 1 million fully forgivable loans of up to $20,000 for Black business owners and others looking to start businesses
- A national initiative to focus on Black men’s disparate health outcomes
- More investment in education, mentorship, and training programs designed to funnel Black men into good-paying, high-demand jobs in fields where they are underrepresented and desperately needed, like teaching
- Supporting regulation to protect Black men and others who invest in and own cryptocurrencies
- Legalizing recreational marijuana and creating opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in this budding industry.
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