Power of the Black Vote

Well Connected

In 1870 the 15th amendment was passed which gave Black American men the right to vote, despite this law there were many barriers that hindered voting such as poll taxes, literacy test, "grandfather clause" and intimidation. Black Americans would not gain true voting equality until the voting rights act of 1965. In the past 58 years the Black vote has been a large asset for the Democratic party. It's important that we continue to demand tangible policy and legislation for our vote. However in the post Obama years it seems even more that the Black vote is exploited through fear mongering, gas lighting and straw man arguments. In addition many Black celebrities, athletes, musicians, and entertainers are often paid surrogates to sway the Black vote. The Republican party has never tried any true organic Black outreach and many mainstream Black conservatives often have negative and dissenting commentary of the black community. They don't offer any solutions besides "leaving the Democrat Plantation" thus implying somehow the Republican party is also "Not a Plantation" and a better solution. Understanding the historical importance of the Black vote and not being coerced into voting for people who do not have tangible policy or racist history just for the sake of voting. The Black vote needs to be more autonomous and independent.