Will Democrats’ policies cause Black voters to stay home in 2024?

Black Americans have been the most loyal Democratic constituency.

It was Black voters who rescued President Joe Biden’s sputtering 2020 campaign in the South Carolina primary. It was Georgia who gave Democrats control of the U.S. Senate. Black Chicagoans voted overwhelmingly for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reelection — 92.4%. That is up from 91.6% in 2018. Black people delivered the highest percentage of votes for Pritzker during both of his elections.

Republicans have failed to offer an alternative vision of how they would govern with compassion and inclusion. Ironically, Black Americans support Democrats at a higher rate than any other ethnic group, and what have we received in return for our loyalty? In Illinois and throughout the country, Black communities face high crime, poverty, lack of contracts and health disparities. Biden and the Democrats are responsible for 40-year high inflation, an overrun border, a failure to manage the supply chain, wealth inequality and health disparities. As the 2024 election looms, will Black Americans continue to offer blind allegiance to the Democratic Party?

Pritzker in his 2019 inauguration address declared: “We allow our schools, our movie theaters, our hospitals, our neighborhoods to become battlefields — legally accessible by the weapons of war.” He says our abdication of responsibility must end.

Since Pritzker’s inaugural address, more than 13,000 people have been shot in the city of Chicago alone. And more than 3,000 have been killed by gun violence through Sept. 30. In Chicago, more than 80% of the victims of gun violence are Black citizens.

In the 20-year war with Afghanistan, the United States lost more than 2,400 service members. CBS News, through a Freedom of Information Act request, learned that between Jan. 1, 2021, and Jan. 10, 2022, at least 276 kids, 16 years old and younger, had been shot in Chicago. The neighborhoods with the highest number of children shot were Englewood, Garfield Park and North Lawndale.

Pritzker is not the only one we should hold accountable for the carnage in Chicago. The city of Chicago has not had a Republican mayor since 1931. A majority of Illinois statewide officeholders are Democrats.

It’s not just Chicago. Take a drive south to East St. Louis, Illinois, and you will find a predominantly Black community suffering from high crime and poverty. In Democrat-run Washington, there have been more than 750 carjackings and 200 homicides this year. Unfortunately, for more than 50 years, the Democratic Party’s most loyal base has been disrespected, neglected and forgotten.

Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have done more to help migrants who crossed our borders illegally than they have citizens who voted them into office. The sanctuary laws invite illegal immigration. According to CNN, unlawful border crossings hit a high for the year, with more than 200,000 apprehensions last month. Last week, a Black progressive, Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, suggested during a CNN interview that our southern border is secure. The taxpayers of Illinois will not be able to support this type of illegal immigration. Our health care system, schools and other social service agencies will be overwhelmed.

[ Laura Washington: Black voters sympathize with migrants, but they have a bone to pick with Democrats ]

A 2020 report from the American Civil Liberties Union, “A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests in the Era of Marijuana Reform,” details the staggering racial bias in marijuana arrests. Although African Americans and white people use marijuana at equally the same rate, Black people are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession. Illinois legalized cannabis use in January 2020. While Black and brown communities were the most affected by criminalization of marijuana possession, their ownership of dispensaries stands at 1%, respectively.

Democrats seem more focused on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights and gender-neutral bathrooms than the economic and health plight of Black Americans. In fact, California’s governor recently signed a law requiring K-12 schools provide gender-neutral bathrooms by July 2026. The same level of intensity must be focused on prioritizing affirmative action, safe neighborhoods, education, wealth equity, equal opportunity, inflation reduction and secure borders.

To be clear, Democrats have taken Black people for granted, and Republicans have failed to be inclusive and offer a better alternative. However, there are third-party candidates who will be on the ballot. The majority of Black Americans are not far left or far right. Any candidate who does not prioritize American citizens first does not deserve our vote.

[ Laura Washington: Black voters sympathize with migrants, but they have a bone to pick with Democrats ]

The following are recommendations for Black Americans and politicians:

1. Don’t see Black Americans just as votes. Understand that we desire safe neighborhoods and excellent schools, hospitals, businesses, contracts and equity. It is not enough to just have a diversity coordinator.

2. Black Americans are first or last in many socioeconomic categories. There must be a plan from Democrats, Republicans, and religious and business leaders to improve the quality of life for Black Americans.

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3. Black clergy should not allow Democratic or Republican politicians to speak at their churches if their policies have been antithetical to the Black community.

4. Black Americans must hold their elected officials accountable for safety, contracts and investment in our neighborhoods. Black Americans must vote with independence in mind.

When Black Americans vote, we make the difference in elections. Also, when we don’t vote, we make the difference in elections. Black turnout in Michigan and Wisconsin dropped by more than 12% and cost Hillary Clinton the presidency.

The question for Biden and Democrats is whether disillusioned Black voters will have high turnout in crucial cities such as Detroit, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Polls show some troubling declines in Black support for Biden and Democrats.

I write this commentary to make those comfortable with putting the needs of migrants over those of Black Americans uncomfortable.

Willie Wilson is a Chicago business owner and a former 2023 mayoral candidate.

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