Why Black Votes Are Not Effectively Used on Kamala Harris
Expectations that Harris will foster positive change for Black lives or genuinely work to alleviate Palestinian suffering are illusory. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
There is growing discourse on US Vice President Kamala Harris’s potential to ascend to the presidency, with many hopeful she could foster significant advancements in areas like gender empowerment, racial equality, and foreign policy. Commentator Mehdi Hasan has even suggested she might perform "marginally better than Joe Biden” in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Allan Lichtman, a renowned election predictor and professor, believes Harris has strong prospects for the November election win. She secured the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination after President Joe Biden chose not to seek reelection, subsequently giving her his endorsement.
Observers both in the US and internationally view Harris, a 59-year-old Black Asian woman, as a groundbreaking figure for gender and racial equality globally. But questions linger: Are these representations merely strategic endeavors by the American political machinery to garner global support through crafted narratives? History suggests such scenarios are not new.
The presidency of Barack Obama, celebrated as a transformative victory for racial progress, invites comparisons. Despite the fanfare, did Obama's tenure substantially improve conditions for African Americans or lead to significant global changes?
Present-day statistics on poverty in the US show ongoing disparities, with Black and Hispanic individuals disproportionately affected. Racial violence remains a prominent issue, underscored by events like the tragic death of George Floyd in 2021, who, despite being non-violent during his arrest, died after a police officer knelt on his neck, igniting widespread protests.
Despite progress claims in racial and gender equality, a Pew Research Center report indicates most Black Americans see little real change in their circumstances post these national reckonings on race. The report highlights continued racial discrimination as a critical concern for a vast majority of African Americans.
Moreover, racially motivated hate crimes persist unabated in America, as evidenced by recent attacks in Buffalo, New York and Jacksonville, Florida, targeting Black individuals.
On the international front, while Harris avoided attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress due to her campaign commitments, she later described her subsequent meeting with him as “frank and constructive”. She emphasized her enduring support for Israel’s security and discussed issues including the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the two-state solution, though her remarks on these topics appeared to lack concrete commitment.
Expectations that Harris could make meaningful progress in improving the lives of black Americans or effectively addressing Palestinian suffering seem overly optimistic. The portrayal of Harris as a transformative leader in racial and gender equity and foreign policy often rings hollow, revealing a chasm between symbolic representation and substantive policy change. Harris's attempts to leverage her multicultural heritage as a symbol of empowerment may not suffice to address the deep-seated issues at hand.This intersection of identity politics and systemic injustice poses a critical dilemma. While Harris’s background resonates with many who hope for a more equitable society, genuine change often necessitates more than mere representation. It requires robust policy initiatives aimed at dismantling the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality for marginalized communities.
Despite the inspirational rhetoric, there is a significant disconnect between political promises and the lived experiences of those in need. Many activists and commentators express skepticism about Harris's ability to translate her symbolic status into real-world reforms. Activism rooted in community engagement is crucial, yet these efforts have often been overshadowed by the prevailing political narrative that tends to emphasize identity over effective action.
Importantly, Harris's engagement with issues of racial and gender inequality must be scrutinized against the backdrop of her political actions. For instance, her consistent support for law enforcement throughout her career has raised concerns among those who advocate for police reform in light of the ongoing violence against Black individuals. Critics question whether this alignment with traditional power structures undermines her potential as a champion for change.
Additionally, her record on immigration and criminal justice during her tenure as California Attorney General indicates a complex relationship with issues central to her constituency. For many, hope cannot merely rest on the identity of a leader but must rest on the commitments they make and the actions they take to fulfill those commitments.
In terms of foreign policy, the expectation that Harris will advocate for the marginalized, particularly in the context of Palestinian rights, is equally fraught. Her historical ties to pro-Israel advocacy raise alarms among activists seeking justice for Palestinians. As her rhetoric on the humanitarian crises in Gaza appears more symbolic than substantive, the challenge becomes one of true advocacy rather than mere acknowledgment of issues.
Looking ahead, the hope for a Harris presidency—or any administration—to fundamentally change the landscape of race relations or international human rights hinges not just on identity or representation but on accountability and action. It requires a steadfast commitment to policies that prioritize the needs and voices of those historically marginalized.
In this landscape, the call for change cannot be merely aspirational. It demands actionable steps that align with the ideals of equality and justice. Hoping for Harris to be a transformative figure could very well be a mirage if the systemic issues are not directly addressed through practical reforms that resonate deeply with her constituents and the wider global community.
As Harris campaigns for the highest office, it remains vital for the electorate to remain vigilant and critically engaged. Advocacy must not focus solely on individual identities or the narratives spun around them, but rather on tangible outcomes that can usher in the type of change that improves lives and fosters societal equity. Only then can real progress be made, rendering the lofty hopes for leadership into a reality that benefits all, rather than a select few.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Allan Lichtman, a renowned election predictor and professor, believes Harris has strong prospects for the November election win. She secured the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination after President Joe Biden chose not to seek reelection, subsequently giving her his endorsement.
Observers both in the US and internationally view Harris, a 59-year-old Black Asian woman, as a groundbreaking figure for gender and racial equality globally. But questions linger: Are these representations merely strategic endeavors by the American political machinery to garner global support through crafted narratives? History suggests such scenarios are not new.
The presidency of Barack Obama, celebrated as a transformative victory for racial progress, invites comparisons. Despite the fanfare, did Obama's tenure substantially improve conditions for African Americans or lead to significant global changes?
Present-day statistics on poverty in the US show ongoing disparities, with Black and Hispanic individuals disproportionately affected. Racial violence remains a prominent issue, underscored by events like the tragic death of George Floyd in 2021, who, despite being non-violent during his arrest, died after a police officer knelt on his neck, igniting widespread protests.
Despite progress claims in racial and gender equality, a Pew Research Center report indicates most Black Americans see little real change in their circumstances post these national reckonings on race. The report highlights continued racial discrimination as a critical concern for a vast majority of African Americans.
Moreover, racially motivated hate crimes persist unabated in America, as evidenced by recent attacks in Buffalo, New York and Jacksonville, Florida, targeting Black individuals.
On the international front, while Harris avoided attending Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress due to her campaign commitments, she later described her subsequent meeting with him as “frank and constructive”. She emphasized her enduring support for Israel’s security and discussed issues including the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the two-state solution, though her remarks on these topics appeared to lack concrete commitment.
Expectations that Harris could make meaningful progress in improving the lives of black Americans or effectively addressing Palestinian suffering seem overly optimistic. The portrayal of Harris as a transformative leader in racial and gender equity and foreign policy often rings hollow, revealing a chasm between symbolic representation and substantive policy change. Harris's attempts to leverage her multicultural heritage as a symbol of empowerment may not suffice to address the deep-seated issues at hand.This intersection of identity politics and systemic injustice poses a critical dilemma. While Harris’s background resonates with many who hope for a more equitable society, genuine change often necessitates more than mere representation. It requires robust policy initiatives aimed at dismantling the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality for marginalized communities.
Despite the inspirational rhetoric, there is a significant disconnect between political promises and the lived experiences of those in need. Many activists and commentators express skepticism about Harris's ability to translate her symbolic status into real-world reforms. Activism rooted in community engagement is crucial, yet these efforts have often been overshadowed by the prevailing political narrative that tends to emphasize identity over effective action.
Importantly, Harris's engagement with issues of racial and gender inequality must be scrutinized against the backdrop of her political actions. For instance, her consistent support for law enforcement throughout her career has raised concerns among those who advocate for police reform in light of the ongoing violence against Black individuals. Critics question whether this alignment with traditional power structures undermines her potential as a champion for change.
Additionally, her record on immigration and criminal justice during her tenure as California Attorney General indicates a complex relationship with issues central to her constituency. For many, hope cannot merely rest on the identity of a leader but must rest on the commitments they make and the actions they take to fulfill those commitments.
In terms of foreign policy, the expectation that Harris will advocate for the marginalized, particularly in the context of Palestinian rights, is equally fraught. Her historical ties to pro-Israel advocacy raise alarms among activists seeking justice for Palestinians. As her rhetoric on the humanitarian crises in Gaza appears more symbolic than substantive, the challenge becomes one of true advocacy rather than mere acknowledgment of issues.
Looking ahead, the hope for a Harris presidency—or any administration—to fundamentally change the landscape of race relations or international human rights hinges not just on identity or representation but on accountability and action. It requires a steadfast commitment to policies that prioritize the needs and voices of those historically marginalized.
In this landscape, the call for change cannot be merely aspirational. It demands actionable steps that align with the ideals of equality and justice. Hoping for Harris to be a transformative figure could very well be a mirage if the systemic issues are not directly addressed through practical reforms that resonate deeply with her constituents and the wider global community.
As Harris campaigns for the highest office, it remains vital for the electorate to remain vigilant and critically engaged. Advocacy must not focus solely on individual identities or the narratives spun around them, but rather on tangible outcomes that can usher in the type of change that improves lives and fosters societal equity. Only then can real progress be made, rendering the lofty hopes for leadership into a reality that benefits all, rather than a select few.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
