When did Race become political?

If the confederate flag is seen as “heritage” and not “hate”, then why is saying “Black Lives Matter” considered hate, not heritage by the same people? If all men are created equal, then why is it that a group of Black Lives Matter protesters can get pepper sprayed in D.C. for walking peacefully, while a group of White Nationalists can literally be escorted out of the Capitol

that that just broke into? But the biggest question that I have is that, why is race such an important and controversial point in politics? In this story, I will be focusing on how race and politics plays hand in hand with one another and how it can be controversial, exhausting and a game changer.

Times are changing

So, I am someone who gets into political debates ALL.THE. TIME. I do not go looking for someone that I disagree with. Instead I voice my opinion or satisfaction on a specific politician(s) or laws passed by congress. It never fails that during these arguments, I will have someone who will not only tell me it is wrong to agree with some politician, but tell me that a party or politician has not benefited black people. Newsflash, I nor majority of black people I know care! We will vote or choose the candidate that we feel is beneficial to our lives or issues.

The main thing that I will literally hear from the people who are politically to the right is: “The Democrats are the party of the KKK” or “I don’t know why you want police brutality laws when black-on-black crime is worse” and the oldy but goody “Chicago!” Yes, all three of these issues are true and facts, but you want to know something else? Not only are you deflecting on the issues that black people go through, you are defending it as well. I am not saying the Democrats are God sent. I am not saying that I want laws to only benefit black people. I am not saying that your views are wrong. I am saying what any sane adult would say to you: I may not agree with you, but they are your views. Furthermore, may I just say that when I am talking about policies that have nothing to do with race, why is it that some way somehow you need to bring in my race? It is as if you A.) Think that is the only thing I care about or B.) it is the only thing you care about. I tell these people, “I know about the political dynamics and how they shifted, but what about how they are today?”

Now do not think that I forgot about the left either! Yes, the left is just as guilty about this as the right. I have had people on the political left spectrum tell, yes tell me who I should vote for because they “are for people like me”. I have done my research. I know what and who I like based on my needs. Telling me to vote for someone because they marched at a protest or was endorsed by (insert black celebrity/politician) is not going to work for me. Saying “How can black people vote for…” is not helpful; it is a dog whistle that is implying that black people do not make the best choices.

One thing that truly showed that things are changing was the protests that occurred in 2020. Seeing people unite over black lives matter and police brutality gave me more hope than four years prior. People actually saw us. People believed us. People wanted to help us. The bad news: IT made others still see race as a political issue. People see Black Lives Matter as a “terrorist organization”. Why is oppression or racism even considered a political issue? Even if it is a political issue, why must some defend the wrongdoing?

And the people say…

For decades, voting has been a controversial issue within the black community. If one group is trying to get our vote, the other is trying to take away our vote. Hell, even when the 15th Amendment gave African Americans the right to vote, we forgot that women were not allowed. However, there was another issue; unfair treatment at the polling places. Black people had to take literacy tests, pay polling taxes and deal with such things as the “grandfather clause” which stated that you couldn’t vote unless your grandfather voted. Furthermore, some black people were turned away from the voting polls as well. This was taking place in the 20th century. Now, voting laws such as cutting hours, no water or food given to people waiting to vote and other ridiculous laws are happening in the 21st century. If this doesn’t seem like a race issue let me explain why it is. The average wait time in predominantly white towns is six minutes to vote. In a predominantly black town, it is 51 minutes. So who is this law more focused on?

The people have spoken Pt. 2: Stop the dog whistle!

What does Atlanta, Milwaukee, Detroit, Philadelphia have in common? They not only are cities in swing or battleground states, but they are predominately black. It also does not help that when politicians attack voting issues, they focus on cities with a predominately or high black population, which is what they focused on in the 2020 election. We have heard and seen the dog whistle about the cities:

“Don’t certify the votes in Detroit!”

“ You hear what’s going on in Philadelphia?”

“We are challenging the votes in MIlwaukee.”

The people have spoken. We did not want certain people representing us! To insinuate that predominantly black cities are doing shady stuff is offensive and dog whistling that what we are doing is criminal. Saying “We want to take back our country” is absurd!

How black (women) are the game changers

Now, I am not downgrading any race or sex, but in election black women can become the game changers...if we are motivated enough. From former President Obama winning in 2008, to Doug Jones in the Alabama senate race, and the 2020 election where Georgia turned blue in the Presidential and Senate race... with the help of Stacey Abrams of course. While I loathe that race seems to be an issue in politics, it lets people know that black women are the game changers and can shape the country.

Closing

People assume or stereotype that if someone is a specific race, they must be a specific political affiliation

“Oh you democrats…”

I am not a democrat because I am a black woman. While the majority of black women are democrat, not all of us are. My political belief is that I want someone who aligns the most to my needs. I do not need identity politics. I do not need to vote for someone because they “get black people”. I do not need to vote for someone because republicans are the ones who freed the slaves. I am voting for my future and when I have children, their future. So next time you speak to someone, please do not put race into politics.

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