By Mona Austin
(TSN): Ordinary Black Americans were permitted to ask questions about Vice Pres. Hamala Harriss' Black Agenda (among other things) in an iHeart Radio interview with Charlamagne da God of the Breakfast Club on Tuesday. It was a concerted effort to regain support from Black men who have outgrown the habit of voting for a democrat. Here we highlight one particular exchange that shows Harris may be oblivious to the expectations of Black men specifically and struggling Black people in general.
A multi-prong question from a Detroit business man further revealed that the vice president has a far-sighted vision relative to the economic rescue of level zero Black communities. She has repeatedly stated plans to build up the middle class without mentioning the depraved conditions that handicap the lower class. When asked for specifics on how she will support African Americans she repeated the story of how she had a middle class upbringing and will create opportunities for all Americans, Blacks included, to have access to capital to start up businesses. Not all Americans are pursuing business ownership, making this offer relevant to a targeted segment.
People in survival mode are not seemingly hearing from Kamala Harris. The intonation in the Democratic presidential nominee's responses suggests that Harris is out of touch with the fact that the poverty rate for Blacks in America is 20.8%, which is higher than the national average. Regional disparities are notable, with states like Wyoming, Iowa, and Mississippi experiencing some of the highest poverty rates for Black residents, ranging from approximately 30% to 35%.The economic challenges that persist among impoverished Black Americans have been consistently overlooked by Harris-Walz rallies, during speeches and in interviews.
The Vice President states that she is working to earn votes and to help Americans get to know her. She has displayed over the past 3 months since Pres. Biden withdrew his candidacy is repetitious talking points that lack substance for the concerns of ":the least of these." She also cites investing in HBCUs as if it is an achievement for all Blacks when in actuality it only applies to those who attend or desire to attend college. Leveraging education for the sake of being competitive is just one way to get ahead. Blue collar workers are omitted from this solution.
The issue of reparations for slavery. was also raised and she said she agrees that research about it should go forth conveying she is open to Blacks getting paid for the ramifications of slavery.
The window to erase the perception that she has done nothing for the Black community is closing. For more on how Harris plans to uplift Black men and the Black Agenda watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L4sts7I3xI.
