WASHINGTON — February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions and achievements of Black Americans throughout history. This year, President Joe Biden marked the occasion at the White House with a reception for Black leaders. However, the event was overshadowed by growing concerns and criticism from the Black community.
As the country continues to grapple with issues of racial injustice, the Biden administration has faced mounting pressure from Black voters who are distressed by its stance on the war in Gaza and disillusioned by the lack of progress on the president’s racial justice agenda.
During the reception, Biden took a jab at Republican-controlled state legislatures for introducing bills that would limit what schools can teach about race and American Black history. Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke out against attempts to erase and censor history, calling for unity and understanding.
But despite the administration’s efforts to promote racial equity and address issues affecting Black Americans, recent polls have shown a decline in support for Biden among the Black community. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll released in January revealed that only 63% of Black voters support Biden, a significant decrease from the 87% he had during the 2020 election.
One of the major concerns among Black voters is the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As images of death and destruction continue to emerge, a coalition of over 1,000 Black faith leaders has urged the president to call for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
The campaign, which has gained momentum and support from younger members of the congregation, highlights the solidarity that Black Americans feel with the Palestinian cause. They see the conflict through the lens of racial justice and draw parallels to the civil rights movement, where the fight against injustice and oppression is universal.
Author and founder of Democracy in Color, Steve Phillips, points to Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 speech where he denounced U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and called for attention to be directed towards racism and poverty at home. Phillips sees a similar resonance and importance in addressing the current situation in Gaza.
In response to international and domestic pressure, Biden has shown a more sympathetic tone towards Palestinians, acknowledging the trauma and suffering caused by the conflict. However, the administration is also pushing for a deal that would secure a temporary cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
But the concerns and frustrations of Black voters go beyond the situation in Gaza. Many feel that the administration has not followed through on its promises to address systemic racism and promote racial justice. Bills aimed at ensuring equal participation in the electoral process and preventing racial profiling by law enforcement have been delayed in Congress.
This lack of progress has led to a decline in support for Biden among Black voters. However, the bigger threat is not a shift towards former President Donald Trump, but low voter turnout in key battleground states such as Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Efforts to suppress the Black vote through disinformation and voter suppression tactics have a long history in the United States. These efforts are fueled by disinformation campaigns on social media, which aim to discourage voters of color from participating in the political process. This is a tactic that has been used since the 1860s to prevent recently freed enslaved people from voting and during the Jim Crow era to disenfranchise Black Americans.
To combat these efforts, the Biden campaign has invested early and substantially in advertising and outreach to Black and Hispanic communities. This includes a $25 million investment in television and digital ads in key battleground states, with a focus on Black and Hispanic media.
The campaign recognizes the importance of providing accurate and factual information to combat the spread of disinformation. As a source close to the campaign stated, “Making sure that the right and correct information is out there is how we can better combat the wrong information.”
Black Americans make up 14% of eligible voters and have been a crucial voting bloc for the Democratic Party. As Biden himself has acknowledged, they are the “backbone of the Democratic Party.” The concerns and frustrations of the Black community must be addressed and taken seriously by the administration if they want to maintain their support.
On this Black History Month, let us reflect on the contributions and achievements of Black Americans throughout history. But let us also remember that the fight for racial justice and equality is far from over. The Biden administration must continue to listen to and address the concerns of the Black community to truly make history and not erase it.
