President Joe Biden recently addressed the Rev. Al Sharpton’s racial justice conference, highlighting his administration’s accomplishments for Black Americans, including infrastructure funding, support for historically Black colleges, and pardons for marijuana offenses. He emphasized the need for more work, mentioning plans for legislation on voting rights and police reform. Biden is aiming to energize Black voters, who will be critical in his reelection bid against former President Donald Trump, who has also been trying to appeal to Black voters by framing himself as a victim of discrimination.
While Biden has historically enjoyed strong support from Black Democrats, recent polls show that 45% of Black Americans disapprove of his job performance. Biden didn’t mention Trump by name in his speech but alluded to opposition from Republicans on issues like abortion rights and voting access. He highlighted the threats faced by people of color and pledged to continue pursuing reforms in the name of George Floyd, whose murder sparked nationwide protests. The George Floyd Act, a police reform bill, passed the House in 2021 but stalled in the Senate.
Biden’s virtual address at the National Action Network Convention garnered support from the audience, with many standing and applauding his remarks. Some attendees praised Biden for his genuine appeals to Black voters but felt he missed an opportunity to address the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Despite facing protests over his administration’s handling of the Gaza conflict, Biden remains focused on engaging with Black voters and addressing their concerns. Al Sharpton, who introduced Biden at the conference, emphasized the importance of concrete actions over empty promises.
As Biden continues to campaign for reelection, he is focused on addressing the needs of the Black community and gaining their support. Sharpton praised Biden’s commitment to racial justice and criticized those who take Black voters for granted. Attendees at the conference expressed support for Biden’s efforts but also called for more action on issues like incarceration rates in the Black community. While some felt Biden could do more, others believed he was on the right track and emphasized the importance of Black voters in empowering the president to bring about change. Biden’s approach to engaging with Black voters stands in contrast to Trump’s efforts to appeal to the same demographic.
