by David W. Marshall
(Trice Edney Wire) – It would be an understatement to simply say that our nation, both domestically and on the world stage, is in trouble. The United States remains a superpower and is very much respected around the world. Yet, its credibility is now being second-guessed. Its reliability as a NATO partner is also being questioned.
For those who have been paying close attention, America’s decline has been gradual and subtle. In some ways, it may be reaching the point of permanent damage. The permanent threat from this administration is also felt here at home. Like our allies, the American people cannot trust the unpredictable policies of this administration. We can no longer trust that our federal government is sincere and competent in protecting the health of our children.
For example, U.S. measles cases have hit their highest level in more than three decades under President Trump and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has promoted the idea that vaccines, including the combined measles, mumps, and rubella shot, are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent. This anti-vaccine message is effectively being promoted despite decades of scientific evidence that this particular shot saves lives. Leading medical organizations say that Kennedy’s statements about vaccines and his policies as health secretary, including efforts to reduce the number of government-recommended childhood immunizations, have increased vaccine delay or refusal, thereby making outbreaks harder to curb. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed that the recent deaths of two infants were measles-related, illustrating a fast-growing national outbreak. Can future administrations reverse the threat from irresponsible and deadly policies to avoid long-lasting life-and-death risks to children? The opposition is the key.
Our nation has two major political parties. At any given time, one party is in power while the other is the opposition. Currently, the Republicans are in power. They have proven through the Trump administration and its control of the House and Senate to be a party that abuses its power through corruption, incompetence, manipulation, and greed. As the opposition party during the Obama presidency, the Republicans prided themselves on being the party of obstruction. Even in cases where the majority of the American people would be helped, Republicans blocked and delayed with glee.
Obstruction is not necessarily a bad thing politically, especially when it is used to resist the MAGA-type corruption, misinformation, and incompetence that is currently in place. Today’s Democratic Party needs to not only be the opposition party; it needs to be an obstruction party. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is urging her fellow Democrats to abandon cautious politics and fight more aggressively against President Donald Trump. She urged them to be willing to “swing” even if it means sometimes missing. The Massachusetts Democrat made the comments during an appearance on “The People’s Brief,” where she argued that Democrats should stop moderating their ambitions and instead fight for their positions more forcefully.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who recently became chair of the National Governors Association, said: “Governors, in many ways, are becoming the last line of defense against what we’re seeing in Washington.” I understand Gov. Moore’s position particularly in this age of gerrymandering wars. But Black women are the last line of defense. They have become the dependable voting bloc that puts lawmakers like Wes Moore into office. Without their consistent support, there would be no Gov. Wes Moore. Gov. Moore is the only elected Black governor, but he could soon have company.
Eight Black major-party gubernatorial nominees are on state ballots this November. Five of the eight candidates are Democrats, and two are women. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is the only Black female Democrat. Unfortunately, the Black male candidates for governor do not face the same identity politics challenge Keisha Lance Bottoms will have in Georgia. We have seen Black women elected as U.S. representatives and senators, but no Black woman has served as governor.
In 2018, the Stacey Abrams gubernatorial campaign drew 97% of Black women’s support but received lower support among Black men at 88%. After Abrams’s narrow 2018 loss to Brian Kemp –50.2 percent to 48.8 percent – her 2022 campaign developed the “Stacey and Fellas” events to engage Black men. As Lance Bottoms follows in Abrams’s footsteps, she too is trying to engage Black men voters. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, roughly 1,000 people joined a virtual “Men for Keisha” rally organized to mobilize Black men behind Lance Bottoms. The lineup included Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, and singer and actor Tyrese.
The focus on Black men is strategic. While Black voters remain a critical part of the Democratic coalition in Georgia, the AJC notes that Black men are more likely than Black women to support Republican candidates. This gap could matter in a competitive statewide election. This tells us that in cases where Black men will stray and support a Republican candidate, a Black woman will stick with the Democrats as either the party in power or the party of obstruction. They are truly the last line of defense. Our nation is in trouble on multiple fronts, and we need fighters like Rep. Pressley. There is too much at stake for Black men as voters to not vote for a Black candidate because she is a woman.
David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America.
