Is the Black Vote Up for Grab?

I’ve been involved with Michigan politics for eight years now, and I’m witnessing an encouraging sign the president is headed toward a win: new faces.

Less than two weeks ago, I visited the Black Voices for Trump office in Detroit, MI. Katrina Pearson and Lara Trump were great speakers, but it was the audience that filled me with optimism. It was about 100 people; some I knew but many I did not.

Earlier that morning, a panel was held for black female entrepreneurs in the office. I met a young woman who opened her business during Covid and is eager to see our country press forward. It was her ex-boyfriend who suggested looking into Trump for economic policies. She also noted her dislike of the Democrat candidate, “Just seeing what Biden has done for everyone: which was nothing…”

The following week, I returned to the office to discuss the president’s Platinum Plan. I filmed a couple of people in the audience and produced a video called, “Notable Exceptions,” about Biden’s comments on African Americans’ lack of “diverse” thoughts. Biden’s charade of being the moral and superior choice is impossible to swallow after he demeaned minorities who dare to consider voting for another option.

Of course, this is anecdotal. It’s also anecdotal that my sisters have received texts from friends and coworkers who used to think the worst of Republicans, and are now willing to give Trump a fair look. I’m hearing stories like this all the time.

It’s also anecdotal that while I was in a plastic-covered post office, two black men about 40 and 50 walked in, looked around the room, and let out their frustrations. “Is this America? Living in fear?” The two were strangers. “And let me tell you something. People think Trump is bad? Kamala Harris is far worse!” I grinned and quietly enjoyed their conversation on economics and prison reform.

I attended an Evangelicals for Trump event and saw a young Hispanic man taking photos. He used to work for my sister, and he didn’t want to hear anything about Trump in 2016. I asked him why he was there. “I realized this is where I belong.”

I was baffled and brought up his past position. “I think that came from a place of ignorance,” he admitted a bit embarrassed. “Now, I’ve done my research.”

“Research” is the keyword. If you spend time watching #WalkAway videos on Youtube, you’ll hear it a lot. All it takes is one meme, one conservative commentator, or one friend to break through the wall of deception. For the movement’s founder, Brandon Straka, his moment came once he realized President Trump never mocked a reporter’s disability. After having the courage to realize he had been duped by Democrats and the mainstream media, he went into a deep dive.

We’re also seeing a cultural shift. If celebrities could move an election, Hillary Clinton would be president. However, there’s a difference between condescending PSAs from liberal celebrities and curious figures like Kanye West. One side tells you what to think. The other tells you it’s okay to think.

I know a young black man who became Trump curious because of Kanye West. He faced an inquisition from an outraged white liberal, but when the black man pressed his supposed friend, he couldn’t accurately prove Trump’s evils.

Rapper 50 Cent gave a legitimate and respectable reason to vote for Trump: he doesn’t want to keep less than 40% of his own money. Liberal celebrities push vapid and emotional pleas like, “Don’t vote for a fascist!” If 56% of Americans say they are living better today than four years ago, does it sound like they can be convinced they’re living under a fascist regime?

Social media went haywire because Ice Cube worked with the Republicans on the Platinum Plan. Learning Democrats told Ice Cube they could talk “after” the election, is far more valuable than any ad Trump could put out. I don’t know if 50 Cent or Ice Cube will vote for the president at all, but the media outrage to them has already benefited Trump.

One side wants the respect of your input. The other wants your cooperation with no guarantees. I already knew this, but now the whole world does.

Of course, this is all anecdotal and speculation. Here is something real. Rasmussen reported Trump’s approval ratings are up 46% for Black likely voters. I believe there is a shift, and the more liberals like Chelsey Handler demean black voters, and tech giants like Instagram censors their posts, the more we’ll push back.