THE STAKES IS HIGH: CONTEXTUALIZING BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT IN THE TRUMP ERA By Sean H. Palmer, Director UNC Wilmington Upperman African American Cultural Center
On July 2, 1996 Hip Hop Artists, De La Soul released De La Soul, CD Back Selected Lyrics Gun control means using both hand in my land. Where its all about cautious livin Migrating to a higher form of consequence, compliments of struggling, that shouldn t be notable
WHY ARE THE STAKES SO HIGH IN THE 21 ST CENTURY FOR BLACK FOLK? Well let s talk numbers first
Black People By The Numbers 45.7 Million Black People in The US 74.5 Million Black People projected by 2060 2.6 million Black-Owned Businesses 2.2 million Black Military Veterans 84% of Blacks 25 & over have a high school diploma 19.7% of Blacks 25 & over have a Bachelors Degree 1.8 million Blacks 25 & over have advanced degrees (8.4%) 2.9 million Blacks are enrolled in undergraduate education $35,398 The annual median income of Black Households (nationally 53K) 26.2% of Blacks live in poverty (nationally 14.8%) 9.9 million Black family households 88% of Black people were covered by health insurance in 2014 528,000 Black grandparents are raising Black grandchildren 8.8 % unemployment rate (still twice the national average) 42.5% of Black America owns a home
Black People Voting By The Numbers 17.8 million Blacks voted in the 2012 presidential election 66.2% of Blacks voted in the 2012 presidential election (based on eligibility) 16.4 million Blacks voted in the 2016 presidential election 59.6% of Blacks voted in the 2016 presidential election (based on eligibility) Note: Voter turnout was higher for both Gen Xers and Millennials in the 2016 election than it was in the 2012 election (by percentage)
WHAT DOES THIS REALLY MEAN? It s Complicated
Why is it complicated? We ve had a Black President We can t make sense of young Black activism We can t distinguish between political allies and foes because some political foes have Black faces We have critical class divides We don t have common language to talk about systems of oppression Oppression is intersectional Race/Culture education is ancillary to standard /STEM education Underestimate the power of Social Media
Are we nearing the end of the Third Era of Reconstruction? Rev. Dr. William Barber Black Reconstruction Periods 1 st Reconstruction Era: 1865-1877 2 nd Reconstruction Era: 1954-1968 3 rd Reconstruction Era?: Current
What s At Stake At The End of Reconstruction Eras? Wilmington, NC provides the best example of both racial violence against Black people and a maintenance of a system that continues to disenfranchise.
What are the implications for Black Political Apathy? Strengthening of the School to Prison Pipeline Inequitable Laws that support unethical policing practices Gerrymandering of districts that leave Black Voters disenfranchised Inability to access wealth generating tools: student loans, public education, business loans, home ownership, positive credit Literally EVERYTHING is at STAKE
WHAT CAN WE DO? Depends on who you are & where you are?
Things we can do right now? Individually Collectively Get Educated on the issues that effect your local politics first! Register to Vote Encourage your friends and families to Vote Voice your concerns with local/national politicians Support local candidates that are dope Consider running for Office We must stop electing backwards church, community, and political leadership We must organize not only voter registration campaigns, but we must create spaces for ongoing voter/political education We must get educated together We must create both grass-roots organizations that focus on local issues and create a large lobbying/strategic group that focuses on Black Concerns We must stop telling children and youth not to get involved We must develop policy/social action arms with paid staff for churches/schools/community organizations We must collectively put 5 on it. We must cultivate leadership in both Black Gen Xers and Millennials
NOW LET S TALK By Sean H. Palmer, Director UNC Wilmington Upperman African American Cultural Center