Presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Ali Shaker/VOA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, Office of Senator Kamala Harris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The history of African Americans and their fight for voting rights has been a pivotal part of the Black experience in the United States. How many African Americans have heard the following: “If you don’t vote, your ancestors fought in vain,” or “If you don’t vote Democrat, you are allowing a racist to win”? For years, this message has resonated across our community. However, the nature of the message is unsettling – rich in passion but lacking substance. It’s a talking point designed not to enlighten but to humiliate. Initially, the Original Constitution and Voting Rights Act mandated most states to restrict voting to white male property owners. Despite the 15th Amendment being passed in 1870, granting all males of all races the right to vote, several Southern states persisted in disenfranchising Black voters through literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation. Only after a long and arduous struggle did Black men and women get the right to vote with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Voting has always been associated with the idea that we owe those who came before us a “debt owed” from that time.
The impact of Democratic and Republican presidencies on this community can be understood through various lenses, including civil rights, economic opportunities, and social justice.
Democratic presidents have often been associated with policies that support civil rights and social justice. One of the most significant milestones was the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, which saw substantial advancements in African American rights. President John F. Kennedy, although initially hesitant, eventually endorsed civil rights legislation, which culminated under his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson. Johnson’s administration was pivotal in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to end segregation and discriminatory voting practices. These laws were crucial in dismantling institutionalized racism and advancing civil rights for African Americans.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Yoichi Okamoto , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In subsequent years, Democratic presidents like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton supported policies to reduce racial disparities. Clinton’s presidency, for example, focused on economic empowerment through initiatives like the Community Reinvestment Act and the creation of the Empowerment Zones program, which sought to revitalize economically distressed areas, often with significant African American populations.
Republican presidencies have had a more varied impact on African Americans, with a mix of supportive and challenging policies. For instance, President Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, was instrumental in ending slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and the passage of the 13th Amendment. The party’s commitment to civil rights continued into the Reconstruction era, with efforts to secure citizenship and voting rights for African Americans.
A copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. Engraving by W. Roberts., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
However, as the 20th century progressed, the Republican Party’s focus shifted towards economic conservatism and limited government intervention. This was evident during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, whose administrations prioritized tax cuts, deregulation, and a strong stance on law and order. While these policies were intended to stimulate economic growth, they also led to reduced funding for social programs, disproportionately affecting African American communities. Reagan’s “War on Drugs,” for example, resulted in policies that led to mass incarceration, with a significant impact on African Americans due to racial disparities in drug law enforcement.
Despite these challenges, some Republican presidents have also taken steps to address issues relevant to African Americans. For instance, President George W. Bush launched the No Child Left Behind Act, aiming to improve education outcomes for all students, including those in underfunded schools serving predominantly African American communities.
President George W. Bush signing into law the No Child Left Behind Act. Paul Morse , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Over time, both Democratic and Republican parties have evolved in their approach toward African American communities, influenced by changing social dynamics, demographic shifts, and the evolving priorities of their constituencies.
Republicans and Democrats have drawn their lines as the US presidential election approaches. These divisions are rooted in political and ideological disparities and the parties’ aspirations for transformative change. The Democrats have framed the 2024 election as a battle for the nation’s soul, while the Republicans have initiated a project called “2025,” based on the belief that liberating America from the influence of the “radical Left” is crucial, surpassing mere victory in the 2025 presidential election. Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris at a time when the division between Democrats and Republicans, embodied by Biden and Trump, appeared to epitomize the deep-seated schism within American society.
Vice President Kamala Harris at an event on Black maternal health in 2020. The United States Senate – Office of Senator Kamala Harris, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Democrats claim that some aspects of Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint created by past and probably present Trump administration officials, might unfairly harm Black Americans. At the Republican National Convention, they have emphasized these ideas, which include promises to outlaw abortion on a national scale, restrict access to contraception, lower taxes for the wealthiest, sever Medicare, and reduce student loan forgiveness.
Let’s take two vast data here-
- In a fall survey conducted by The New York Times and Siena College among residents of battleground states, 22% of Black voters said that, in a fictitious 2024 contest, they would choose former president Donald Trump over President Biden.
- One of the primary objectives of a second Trump administration, according to Axios reporting in April, would be to refocus governmental attention on “anti-white racism,” which the former president and his supplicants believe to be the actual issue plaguing our nation. Specifically, they would undermine policies from the 1960s that have supported Black Americans’ access to the economy as well as diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives that have flourished after George Floyd died in 2020.
And then there is Project 2025.
Summary of Project 2025’s Potential Impact on Key Issues Important to Black Communities
- Education
- Proposes shutting down the Department of Education and its Office of Civil Rights, affecting enforcement of civil rights laws in schools.
- Plans to replace Title I funds with block grants and expand school choice programs, potentially reducing support for public schools.
- Could eliminate federal student loan forgiveness and Pell grants, impacting access to higher education for Black students.
- It aims to limit the teaching of race in schools.
- Healthcare
- Seeks to reduce federal involvement in healthcare, potentially impacting Medicare, Medicaid, and other health programs.
- This could lead to fewer healthcare options for Black and low-income individuals.
- Proposes increased restrictions on abortion, including tracking miscarriages and restricting Plan B contraceptives.
- It aims to reduce regulations and decrease the oversight of healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies.
- Criminal Justice
- Proposes undoing police reforms and increasing control over the Justice Department.
- Calls for more stringent sentencing guidelines and reducing oversight of police departments, potentially increasing the over-incarceration of Black individuals.
- Criticizes progressive approaches to law enforcement, suggesting a return to harsher practices.
- Faith
- Seeks to integrate Judeo-Christian values into government policy, potentially undermining separation of church and state.
- Proposes supporting parochial schools and restricting LGBTQ rights and abortion access.
- Allows churches to maintain tax-exempt status even if engaging in discrimination.
- Reinstates a ban on Muslim immigration.
- Climate Justice
- Plans to dismantle critical environmental agencies and reduce regulations on climate change.
- Proposes expanding fossil fuel exploration and reducing support for renewable energy.
- Suggests moving climate-related decision-making from scientists to political officials.
- Downplays the impact of human-caused climate change, potentially worsening outcomes for Black and Brown communities.
Instead of providing policy recommendations or outlining the Democratic Party’s plans for the US, Project 2025 is positioned as “The enemy against us all” and emphasizes the need for voting. The Democratic Party will now launch its campaign of inciting fear. Fear and shame have their boundaries. They are speaking with individuals who have experienced poverty on almost all socioeconomic fronts. They have witnessed the worst that this nation has to offer. It no longer moves Black men and women to be told that things may get worse.
Knowledge is power, and understanding how proposed policies and political shifts might affect our communities can empower us to advocate effectively for change.
Engaging in the political process means more than just voting; it involves staying informed about local and national issues, participating in public forums, and holding elected officials accountable. Advocacy can take many forms—writing to your representatives, joining community organizations, or supporting initiatives that promote equity and justice. By staying informed and involved, we ensure that our voices are heard and that policies reflect the values of fairness and inclusivity.
The importance of continued dialogue and action cannot be overstated. The challenges facing African American communities are multifaceted and require sustained effort and collaboration to address effectively. Ongoing discussions about policy impacts, civil rights, and social justice are essential in shaping a future that upholds the principles of equity and opportunity for all.
As we reflect on the current political climate and potential changes, it is clear that our collective actions can drive meaningful progress. Engaging in conversations, supporting equitable policies, and advocating for systemic reforms are vital steps toward creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By working together and remaining vigilant, we can address the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, ensuring a brighter future for African American communities and our nation.
Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.
