If former President Donald Trump were a black Democratic candidate, would he receive 95% or more of black support, similar to the high level of support that black Democratic candidates often enjoy? Absolutely. Would black Democrats be concerned about his positions on critical issues like the economy, healthcare, education, and immigration? Probably not.
It is disheartening to admit that far too many black Democrats cast their votes based on race rather than on policies and values. How do I know? I once voted that way. A former Democrat, I was conditioned to believe that voting based on race was the right thing to do.
But I've moved away from that mindset. I stopped making the color of my skin the god of my life.
I was recently asked, “As a black man are you going to do the right thing by supporting your race and voting for a black woman for President of the United States?"
When I explained that I base my voting decisions on a candidate's values, policies, qualifications and campaign funding sources rather than race, she became visibly agitated. It was clear she believed that supporting a black candidate was a sense of duty and a matter of racial pride – as if not doing so would mean letting down her community.
Voting for a candidate based on skin color was a stronghold that was difficult to break. It took a lot of self-reflection. However, this journey helped me understand the importance of doing my homework, gathering facts and making informed decisions that truly reflect my beliefs and the needs of my community. I realized that by solely focusing on skin color, I was narrowing my options and overlooking better alternatives.
Thank you, God, for my deliverance!
While I've always been the one to cheer for the black quarterback as a matter of racial pride, voting for a political candidate — especially the president of the United States — requires deeper considerations than just the color of his or her skin. The role of a quarterback doesn't influence the critical aspects of my life. A black quarterback isn't in a position to sign an executive order that would attack my faith, injure my family, weaken my finances, and take away my God-given rights.
However, the president of the United States has enormous power to impact our daily lives. With the stroke of a pen, the president can authorize policies affecting the quality of life for families across the nation. Voting for someone solely because he or she is black can lead to electing individuals whose agendas may not align with your own, leading to tyrannical and oppressive policies.
The stakes are too high to rely on superficial criteria like skin color when voting for someone who will make decisions that could change the course of our lives and those of future generations. Take the time to research the positions and qualifications of the candidates for whom you’re considering voting. You might find that the person who aligns most closely with your values isn’t the Black candidate you assumed would best represent your interests. Don’t give someone a free pass just because they are Black.
Put your values first, not your skin color.
To contact KCarl or request a speaking engagement, go to www.kcarlinc.com The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
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