How Democrats can get Black men off the fence and to the polls

While there is some evidence that Donald Trump might be gaining ground among Black men, Kamala Harris’s greatest threat among that demographic is not the former president. It’s the couch.

Unsurprisingly, polls generally show that an overwhelming majority of Black men, if forced to choose between the former president and the vice president, would vote for the latter. But anecdotal evidence suggests it’s a choice that an increasing number of young Black men — especially those without a college degree — aren’t exactly eager to make.  

Sexism is of course alive and well, but contrary to what former President Barack Obama recently suggested, I’m not sure it’s the sole factor keeping these men on the couch. Many of them feel deep dissatisfaction stemming from systemic frustrations with the political status quo — one they feel no longer works for them. 

Far from being checked out, Black men have been paying close attention. In recent years, they have seen the signs of a breaking system but have just concluded that no politician is capable of — or serious about — fixing it. 

To change their minds over the coming days, Democrats will have to help them not so much unsee those signs but rather unlearn some of the lessons they drew from them. Informed by my conversations in barber shops and Uber rides, these are the ones I think Democrats should prioritize.  

First, there is a prevailing sense among disaffected Black men that all politicians are just in it for the money — and for those with money. It’s not hard to imagine why they might feel that way. Republicans cut taxes for rich people, while a majority of rich people are Democrats. (Funny how that happens.) Stock-trading scandals pop up on both sides of the aisle. 

A strong majority of Americans believe that money — not morals — drives political decision-making behind the scenes. With the examples of Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) Cancun escapade and former Sen. Bob Menendez’s (D-N.J.) gold bars in recent memory, why vote for a politician who is at best out of touch or at worst corrupt?  

Yes, the Democratic Party’s economic platform starkly contrasts the Republican party’s, but this is largely a vibes issue. According to polling, nearly one-third of Black voters still feel like they need to learn more about Kamala Harris. 

Highlighting the vice president’s middle-class upbringing and lifelong dedication to public service won’t help win Black men who are enticed by Trump’s flashy wealth. But it could help demonstrate to disaffected Black men that she is in it “for the people.” Sprinkle in a bit of policy — like her recently announced Opportunity Agenda for Black Men — and voila.  

Second, there is also a sense that for Black men, things aren’t that different under a Republican president than they are under a Democratic president. Translation: “There’s no point voting because my life — and my community — will be the same regardless of who wins.” 

Trump passed criminal justice reform but under-prosecuted hate crimes. Biden is aggressively prosecuting hate crimes but hasn’t passed voting rights. Black men are killed by police no matter who’s in office. It all seems to cancel out. By that logic, “stopping Trump” is hardly a motivator, especially for those men who remember seeing Trump’s signature on their stimulus checks.  

To counter this line of reasoning, Democrats must first affirm how these men are feeling. Trying to gaslight or lecture will only make matters worse — as will attempting to explain the political and procedural hurdles that have prevented further progress. However, even acknowledging how they may have fallen short, it will be helpful to point to how the specific policies enacted over the past four years have benefited the Black community. 

Talk about the Biden-Harris administration’s historic work to increase Pell Grants, cut Black child poverty, boost Black small business creation and increase funding for mental health professionals in minority communities. But focusing on the future — Democrats’ plans to promote the prosperity of Black men and their families — will be most important.  

And third, the elephant in the room: our broken immigration system. When Donald Trump talked about “Black jobs,” he knew what he was doing — or at least what he was trying to do. He wants to drive a wedge between Hispanic migrants and non-college-educated Black voters, and make Democrats pay the price at the polls. 

I don’t want to overstate it, but the economic anxiety that immigrants are “skipping the line” does exist for some — and I suspect it might be especially prevalent among this group of men. They want opportunity — a fair shot — and might feel like that shot is blocked when there is more competition.  

To be sure, Trump’s insulting comment is not rooted in economic reality. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t resonate with some of the voters Kamala Harris needs to win this election. Democrats have been smart to embrace a “strong border” message, but as a proud son of immigrants, I would caution against engaging in a race to the bottom. 

These men simply want a bigger piece of the pie. Democrats are offering them that through policies that enlarge the whole pie — create more economic opportunity for all — rather than by making other slices smaller. A streamlined immigration system means more employees and customers for Black-owned businesses, and ultimately more money in pockets. 

So many Black men are fired up to vote for Kamala Harris, but I’m tired of hearing some tell me they plan to avoid politics and stay focused on their “bag.” That’s simply impossible to do. The bag and the ballot box are inextricably linked — especially given what’s at stake for our community in this election. 

That means Democrats have their work cut out for them in these final days. It’s clear looking at her schedule of upcoming interviews and engagements, Harris is serious about doing it. 

To conquer the couch, Democrats must frame voting as an opportunity for these men to not only secure their bag but to strengthen our democracy too. These men know what’s broken; let’s make sure they know Democrats are serious about fixing it.  

Gevin Reynolds is a communications strategist and former speechwriter to vice president Kamala Harris. He writes about issues of race, democracy and politics as a contributor to The Root.