African Americans in Politics NICHOLAS BARNES DR. E GRAVES AFST 3454
American Political Sphere a game Constituents People trying to hold office as long as possible Either moderate or conservative
What Used to Be Black politicians took a stance for blacks’ rights There was no etiquette or expectation that said they can’t speak up Protests and demonstrations were encouraged by black political leaders if not lead by them Every black person was expected to play a role in gaining equality
A Phillip Randolph Sleeping porters March on Washington Convinced FDR to issue executive order 8802
Malcom X The Ballot or the Bullet “This government has failed the Negro” During the Selma campaign, Malcom x made direct threats to the kkk for lynching people before they can vote and got johson’s support
How it is Today The ‘race card’ The ‘new black’ Indirect or absence of help by black politicians in black communities
Adrian Fenty Moderate, independent political stance Educational platform as D.C. councilman Wanted to focus on constituent services and take attention grabbing possitions
Deval Patrick First African American governor of Massachusetts After graduating Harvard, practiced law with the NAACP Once governor, did not address issues directly related to race inequality Focused on gun control, marriage rights, and casino gambling
Barack Obama Turned out not to be the ‘race man’ that man people expected him to be
The 1% Successful, affluent African Americans tell all others that they should be able to do the same thing These are often the people in office and they neglect environmental racism
What is radical? In today’s America, there simply cannot be a radical African American stance Resist, Reform, or Accommodate but do not Revolt