Ricky Jones: Black men are not the problem for Stacey Abrams and Democrats – Courier Journal

Ricky L. Jones| Opinion Contributor

In the opening of his 1903 classic Souls of Black Folk W.E.B. DuBois wrote, there is ever an unasked question of Black Americans How does it feel to be a problem? That is, how does it feel when the troubles of society are explored, and people conclude that you are the issue?

In DuBois time, while Black people were considered hinderances to American peace, happiness and prosperity collectively, Black men were always viewed as more noxious than Black women. That hasnt changed. In fact, Black men are the single most demonized group of people in America.

You disagree? Lets play word association.I say, Black man. What words or phrases pop into your mind? Be honest. Gangster, thug, criminal, convict, lazy, untrustworthy, dumb, dropout, hustler, cheater, absentee father? Youre not alone. The negative characterizations of Black men are so common that the few who are highlighted for doing positive things are usually regarded as freakish anomalies.

The latest in a long line of situations in which were the problem is an emerging narrative that Black men are largely to blame if Stacey Abrams loses her highly publicized rematch with Brian Kemp for the governorship of Georgia. The argument is that Abrams is struggling in polls partially because her support from Black men is sorely lacking.

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News outlets from The Hill to Bloomberg are releasing stories like, Democratic group steps in to boost Abrams among Black male voters and Stacey Abrams struggles with Black male voters in Georgia while wielding national clout. Its maddening.

The problem with these claims and the accompanying strange arguments that a sizeable percentage of Black men have lost their minds and are flocking to the Republican Party is that theyre inaccurate. As the summary of a powerful recent article by Michael Harriot succinctly puts it, Pundits have begun sounding the alarm about the Democratic Partys existential crisis with Black male voters thataccording to math, history and political sciencedoes not exist.

Thats right, Harriot hit the nail on the head - Stacey Abrams Black male voting problem is . . . a myth.

Lies and stereotypes of Black men permeate society but, admittedly, some conclusions about more sophisticated, informed, and politicized brothers are true. No, we arent supportive of people or candidates just because theyre Black. We learned from Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, Ward Conerly and many others.

No, we werent more impressed by Barack Obama just because he was married to Michelle. No, we werent sold on Kamala Harris just because she attended Howard and pledged AKA. We were actually worried about her political record where Black folk were concerned. And guess what, it wasnt good.

Yes, Black men are understandably growing increasingly leery of the Democrats. Were not fools. We know they only think about Black people during election cycles and then largely ignore our concerns and suffering . . . again and again and again. When they do pay attention, they usually center on Black women, not Black men.

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University of Maryland professor Jason Nichols recently correctly noted, Black women have been the most loyal and reliable voting bloc for the party, and they deserved that recognition. But the second most loyal Democratic voting blocBlack menhas not gotten the same kind of recognition, and the party's penchant for ignoring Black men is leading to a remarkable attrition in recent years.

Be clear, this attrition has not been a mass defection to the Republicans. A percentage of Black men have simply disconnected from electoral politics altogether because their interests have been disregarded.They are tired of being forced to vote AGAINST a terrible Republican rather than FOR a good Democrat. Theyre tired of Democrats basically saying, No, we dont give a damn about Black people in general, and even less about Black men. But were better than the Republicans. So, were not just your best choice; were your only choice. Submit and vote for who we tell you to vote for. We own you!

At the end of the day, despite baseless arguments to the contrary, there has been no mass defection of Black men to the Republican Party and most Black men in Georgia arent against Stacey Abrams. But here are some things that are real. Hispanic support of Republicans is growing exponentially. You ask them why. Democrats consistently contort themselves and court them, but the majority of white men and white women vote Republican. You ask them why.

To be sure, Black women are the Democrats most loyal constituency. Theres no debate there. But as Michael Harriot, Jason Nichols, and many others who actually study the historical, political and statistical facts know and note, we neer-do-well, misguided, troubled Black men are number two. Bottom line is this Black men arent the problem this time. So, dont blame us if Stacey Abrams or any other Democrat loses. Put that weight somewhere else. Were already carrying enough.

Dr. Ricky L. Jones is professor and chair of the Pan-African Studies department at the University of Louisville. His column appears bi-weekly in the Courier-Journal. Visit him at rickyljones.com.

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Ricky Jones: Black men are not the problem for Stacey Abrams and Democrats - Courier Journal