A More Effective Black Politics

 Senate Republicans are blocking police reform and voting rights legislation, and this isn't mere partisanship. It's racial. The Republican Right motivates its white base by equating black protests against police killings with being anti police. They portray themselves as proponents of law and order and supporters of police. Think about slogans like - Back the Blue and Blue Lives Matter. Meanwhile voting and election laws passed by Republicans at the state level burden or suppress black Democratic turnout. Moderate Democrats like Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Krysten Sinema of Arizona don't help either by not joining with other Democrats to end the filibuster. However, the failure to pass legislation important to blacks isn't just about Republicans or Democrats who enable them. We need a more effective black politics. Voting in elections and having black officeholders is not enough. Politics involves citizen engagement, organization, and messaging too. Some will say blacks are doing these things. But, we must do better. 

What's at stake in the Senate ? The George Floyd Police Reform Act makes it easier to get Federal convictions of law enforcement officers for reckless conduct. It limits the use of choke holds and No Knock Warrants as well. However it's most controversial provision limits qualified immunity for officers in private civil litigation. That may be it's biggest obstacle. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act would restore Federal pre clearance for states seeking to change voter and election laws if they routinely violate the 1965 Voter Rights Act. This is crucial because a 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder struck down Federal pre clearance for states with a history of racial discrimination in voting from changing their voting laws. The For The People Act passed by the House in 2019 bans partisan gerrymandering, makes election day a Federal holiday, and allows automatic registration when people get things like driver's licenses unless individuals opt out. With the protests last summer, and the growing recognition of systemic racism among many whites these bills are a good start. None of them are extreme as conservatives claim.

The same passion and energy that pushed street demonstrations all over America must be applied to getting legislation passed. Black voters should be making phone calls, texting, writing letters, and using online petitions to pressure Senate Democrats and President Biden on voting rights and police reform. If Democrats and Republicans can get together on infrastructure then legislation that advances racial justice and democracy should be possible too. Blacks should also put more pressure on corporate backers of both parties to get politicians moving on these reforms too. Above all blacks should remain engaged and prepared for a long hard struggle. Citizen engagement depends on black institutions that draw large groups of people together, allow pooling of resources, and are independent of whites. Think about churches, sororities, fraternities, and professional groups. Whether it's the National Baptist Convention or National Council of Negro Women such organizations can mobilize lots of blacks to fight for a political agenda. They can do voter awareness, registration, and lobbying. We need to realize that while Black Lives Matter has done an amazing job they are not the only group that can or should organize black people. We need a renewed commitment and revitalization of traditional groups like The NAACP and National Urban League. 

So much of politics is about messaging. Blacks need to be online, television, radio, and print creating awareness and motivating people to get involved in passing this legislation and other public policy solutions. Maybe I need to look harder. I have not seen anything anywhere about the George Floyd Police Reform Act, the John Lewis Voter Rights Act, or the For The People Act. Things happen or they don't and too many black people never know. White allies and those who might be persuaded to support our agenda are also ignorant and disengaged. Meanwhile those who oppose us along with the  mainstream media frame messages and discussions to our disadvantage. We need to be making race conscious appeals among blacks while playing to themes of freedom and democracy among whites. Mounting large scale media campaigns is expensive and difficult yet blacks should make the effort.

There are no guarantees in politics and democratic results are not always ideal. But politics is unavoidable. We need it if we are to overcome systemic racism and the economic inequalities that hurt all working people regardless of race. Apathy, cynicism, and disillusionment are understandable because it seems like most if not all white politicians and voters are against anything that significantly helps black people. But history has shown that if blacks take a stand there are whites and others willing to join us in making democracy work for our benefit.