A day after Vice President Kamala Harris declared her intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination, over 40,000 Black men participated in a virtual fundraising call, exploring the critical support they could offer her campaign.
The four-hour call featured influential Black figures, including politicians, activists, and entertainers, who discussed the challenges Harris would face, particularly the anticipated racist and sexist attacks from opponents.Many participants shared personal stories of their relationships with Harris and pledged their support.
Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General, addressed a crucial issue: “Sometimes as Black men we get confused as to what strength is, and sometimes we think that standing behind a Black woman as a leader does not display strength as Black men.” Raoul emphasized that supporting Harris demonstrates strength, not weakness. “I’m standing behind a Black woman to be president of the United States, and it doesn’t make me any less of a Black man,” he asserted, reported NYT.
The call underscored the importance of rallying support from a key Democratic constituency—Black men—who have historically been skeptical of Black women in high-ranking positions. Although Black men have reliably supported Democrats, some remain hesitant to back Black women for top roles, a trend with potential implications for Harris’ bid.
Moya Bailey, a Northwestern University professor, highlighted the unique challenges faced by Black women in leadership roles. “Patriarchy is not unique to the Black population, but the consequences are much higher,” she was quoted as saying by NYT, pointing to a historical reluctance among some Black men to support Black female leaders.
The call’s tone resonated with past efforts by Black female politicians like Shirley Chisholm and Stacey Abrams, who faced similar skepticism. Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, encountered resistance from Black male colleagues when she sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. Abrams’ “Stacey and the Fellas” gatherings aimed to address concerns about her support among Black men during her 2022 gubernatorial run in Georgia.
Harris faces additional challenges stemming from her past as a prosecutor, which has led to criticism from some Black men who feel disillusioned by the Democratic Party’s actions on their priorities. Polls have shown a disconnect between Black voters and the Democratic Party, with some Black men voting for Trump in recent elections.
Harris’ campaign advisers recognize that Trump’s appeal to Black men could impact their support for Harris. Trump has made contentious claims, including that Harris recently began identifying as Black for political gain. This rhetoric, along with Trump’s marketing strategies, has further complicated Harris’ efforts to connect with Black male voters.
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, urged Black men to support Harris, emphasizing her qualifications and experience. “An African American male has to talk in the community to African American women about why he would pick Trump over an African American woman,” Morial said.
While Harris has made strides in engaging Black men, including organizing meetings with leaders and addressing their concerns, W. Mondale Robinson, founder of the Black Male Voter Project, noted ongoing challenges. “Everything she says will be looked at with a side eye from Black men because there’s a lack of trust in politicians,” Robinson said.
Despite these hurdles, some observers believe Harris’ candidacy represents progress. Jason Nichols, a senior lecturer in African American studies, noted that while Black men might not see themselves as clearly in Harris as they did in Barack Obama, they recognize the significance of her candidacy. “You see the community coming together to vote their best interest — which, in this case, is a Black woman,” Nichols said.
The four-hour call featured influential Black figures, including politicians, activists, and entertainers, who discussed the challenges Harris would face, particularly the anticipated racist and sexist attacks from opponents.Many participants shared personal stories of their relationships with Harris and pledged their support.
Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General, addressed a crucial issue: “Sometimes as Black men we get confused as to what strength is, and sometimes we think that standing behind a Black woman as a leader does not display strength as Black men.” Raoul emphasized that supporting Harris demonstrates strength, not weakness. “I’m standing behind a Black woman to be president of the United States, and it doesn’t make me any less of a Black man,” he asserted, reported NYT.
The call underscored the importance of rallying support from a key Democratic constituency—Black men—who have historically been skeptical of Black women in high-ranking positions. Although Black men have reliably supported Democrats, some remain hesitant to back Black women for top roles, a trend with potential implications for Harris’ bid.
Moya Bailey, a Northwestern University professor, highlighted the unique challenges faced by Black women in leadership roles. “Patriarchy is not unique to the Black population, but the consequences are much higher,” she was quoted as saying by NYT, pointing to a historical reluctance among some Black men to support Black female leaders.
The call’s tone resonated with past efforts by Black female politicians like Shirley Chisholm and Stacey Abrams, who faced similar skepticism. Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, encountered resistance from Black male colleagues when she sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972. Abrams’ “Stacey and the Fellas” gatherings aimed to address concerns about her support among Black men during her 2022 gubernatorial run in Georgia.
Harris faces additional challenges stemming from her past as a prosecutor, which has led to criticism from some Black men who feel disillusioned by the Democratic Party’s actions on their priorities. Polls have shown a disconnect between Black voters and the Democratic Party, with some Black men voting for Trump in recent elections.
Harris’ campaign advisers recognize that Trump’s appeal to Black men could impact their support for Harris. Trump has made contentious claims, including that Harris recently began identifying as Black for political gain. This rhetoric, along with Trump’s marketing strategies, has further complicated Harris’ efforts to connect with Black male voters.
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, urged Black men to support Harris, emphasizing her qualifications and experience. “An African American male has to talk in the community to African American women about why he would pick Trump over an African American woman,” Morial said.
While Harris has made strides in engaging Black men, including organizing meetings with leaders and addressing their concerns, W. Mondale Robinson, founder of the Black Male Voter Project, noted ongoing challenges. “Everything she says will be looked at with a side eye from Black men because there’s a lack of trust in politicians,” Robinson said.
Despite these hurdles, some observers believe Harris’ candidacy represents progress. Jason Nichols, a senior lecturer in African American studies, noted that while Black men might not see themselves as clearly in Harris as they did in Barack Obama, they recognize the significance of her candidacy. “You see the community coming together to vote their best interest — which, in this case, is a Black woman,” Nichols said.
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