Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump are both actively trying to win over Black voters in the final days before the 2024 presidential election. Harris, who is of Jamaican and Indian descent, is working to maintain her party’s advantage with voters of color, while Trump is showing signs of gaining momentum among Black men. With the election being tight, a small shift in any demographic group could sway the results in either candidate’s favor.
Harris is addressing issues that disproportionately affect Black men, such as decriminalizing marijuana to combat arrests that impact the community. She acknowledges the presence of racial disparities in various aspects of Black people’s lives, including home ownership, health care, economic prosperity, and voting. Despite these challenges, Harris emphasizes the importance of voting and not sitting out the election due to unresolved issues. Harris also faced questions regarding reparations for descendants of enslaved people, expressing the need for further study on the matter.
On the other hand, Trump is focusing on law and order policies, advocating for a return to “proven crime-fighting methods,” including stop and frisk tactics. These methods have historically targeted Black and Hispanic men, leading to controversy and constitutional violations. Trump’s campaign is attempting to steer the narrative towards fear tactics, while Harris challenges him to present a plan for Black America. Trump, in response, accuses Harris of enabling damaging immigration policies that impact communities of color.
Harris has unveiled new proposals under the “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men,” aiming to provide economic advantages to Black men, such as forgivable business loans and apprenticeships. The focus on Black men intensified after former President Barack Obama spoke about issues surrounding Black male voters, particularly in terms of support for a female president. Harris’ campaign remains focused on preventing a large shift of Black men towards supporting Trump and is more concerned about the potential of some Black males choosing not to vote at all.
The election also sees a battle for support among women voters, with Harris generally holding steady support among women since becoming the Democratic nominee. Trump aims to narrow the margins among women on Election Day, despite a softening of his support among women, especially in key swing state suburbs. Harris challenges Trump’s claims of being a protector of women, pointing out rising maternal mortality rates and restrictive abortion bans affecting women. The two candidates have differing views on issues impacting women, leading to further division among female voters in the upcoming election.
As the election approaches, the candidates continue their campaigns to appeal to various demographic groups, including Black voters, women, and other key constituencies. With only 21 days left until the final votes are cast, both Harris and Trump are making their final pitches to secure support and ultimately win the presidency. The outcome of the election remains uncertain, with each candidate striving to gain an edge in a closely contested race.
