If you think Biden hasn't performed for Black people, think again
Issue #540 The Choice Thursday, March 20, 2024
More than once I have heard someone say that President Biden hasn’t done much for Black folks, or that he is the lesser of two evils. I wrote earlier about the serious problems with the lesser of two evils argument, namely that it is a lazy argument - not even an argument, really - promoted mostly by those who don’t take the time to do even the slightest bit of homework. Because the evidence strongly to the contrary is there.
The same thing applies when it comes to those who say President Biden hasn’t done anything for Black people - or not enough - so he hasn’t earned enough of our loyalty for us to support him for a second term. In Black folks’ defense, the media hasn’t exactly been doing a bang-up job of reporting on all the things Biden has done right, because they’re too busy being obsessed with his age and then saying it’s because it’s really the rest of us who are obsessed with his age. Not them. They’re just doing their jobs acting like really good reporters by telling us - over and over and over and over again - that it’s us who are obsessed with Biden’s age. Not them.
They’re just the messengers. And messengers don’t get obsessed. They just deliver messages.
Sure.
Besides, what story do you think is more likely to get more clicks:
Biden is still old
Trump did something else
Biden did something (else) to support Black people
Stumped? Let me help you out; which of the above three options have you not read or heard about from wherever you get your news?
OR.
Here’s one real-world example of something rather important that President Biden has done for Black people, one that you can share with your friends (and please do):
From the U.S. Department of Education:
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic actions to support HBCUs, including by:
Investing over $7 billion in HBCUs, which includes:
$3.6 billion for HBCUs through the American Rescue Plan and other COVID relief.
$1.6 billion in capital finance debt relief for 45 public and private HBCUs.
$1.7 billion in grant funding to expand academic capacity and provide support for low-income students.
You want more examples? Here’s a bunch.
If you’re not going to vote for someone because they haven’t done anything to earn your vote, first make sure that’s true. This election is far too important for us to lose because of what we didn’t know. Or because of what we thought we knew.
Usually, I would say it’s never too late to learn the truth. But after November? Yeah. It’s too damned late.
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