Nov 11, 2024 Story by: Editor
5% of voters nationwide were Black men, compared with 4% in 2020, according to exit polls. This slight increase in Black male voter participation reflected broader shifts in voting patterns, with 77% supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, and 21% backing former President Donald Trump. Trump’s share among Black men marked a 2-point rise from the 2020 election, where he earned 19%.
This growth in Trump’s support signals a shift in Black male voting behavior, with younger voters in particular moving away from traditional party affiliations. Political scientist Adolphus Belk noted that many young Black men are less invested in the historical legacy of the Democratic Party’s civil rights achievements, and are more likely to engage in independent voting. “They’re coming in without an understanding of these historical contours and turns, limitations, opportunities,” he explained.
Despite efforts from Harris and other Democratic leaders, including Barack and Michelle Obama, to rally Black male voters, the response remained tepid. Obama’s public plea at a Pittsburgh rally, where he chastised Black men for not supporting Harris, drew criticism. “I’m speaking to men directly – part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president,” Obama said, though this approach failed to reverse the rising discontent among some Black male voters.
This trend reflects a broader dissatisfaction with both major political parties, with many Black men feeling underrepresented and disconnected from the promises of either side. As the 2024 election progresses, this shift in Black male support underscores the ongoing political realignment within the African American community. Source: AlJazeera
