October 24, 2024
Stacey Abrams, the twice-failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate, has said she is tired of the sexism among Black people, specifically Black men, who are both sexist and resistant to Vice President Kamala Harris. Abrams addressed a comment from a prominent Georgia pastor Jamal Bryant in which he said that misogyny in the Black community was why Abrams lost the Georgia gubernatorial races, in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett.
Bryant spoke of sexism as the reason why Black men weren’t voting for women candidates such Abrams. “Full stop misogyny is still real in our community,” Bryant said. “We’ve got to address it head-on and not act like it doesn’t exist. The reality is if Black men had voted, Stacey Abrams would be a governor.”
Abrams’ Response to Bryant’s Remarks
Abrams shared Bryant’s worries in her Burnett interview, but made an indirect mention of Harris’ Black men support when she defended it. “I know it’s a shock to everyone, but sexism remains real and a very pertinent issue. But I want us to be really clear that Kamala Harris is doing very well with Black men. Black men are the second strongest cohort of Democratic voters,” Abrams said. She lauded Harris for speaking on black men issues and listening to them about issues in their community.
And yet, despite acquiescing to Harris’ popularity, Abrams acknowledged that sexism and racism remain issues for women candidates, even among Black people. “We do have to acknowledge that there is sexism. There is racism. There are challenges in our electorate, and that’s why it’s so important that Kamala Harris is going everywhere and talking to everyone,” she added.
Broader Democratic Concerns
Abrams isn’t the only person to complain that Black men don’t feel motivated to vote for Harris. And then-President Barack Obama just recently made the same point, commenting that some Black men may be reluctant to back Harris because she is a woman. Obama even suggested earlier this month in an appearance that misogyny could be the reason Black men won’t vote for Harris.
“I’ve got a problem with that,” Obama said. “Part of it makes me think that, well, you just aren’t feeling the idea of having a woman as president, and you’re coming up with other alternatives and other reasons for that.”
Obama also made the case for Black women’s contribution to civil rights and social justice, and Black men should stay together. “Women in our lives have been getting our backs this entire time,” Obama said. “When we get in trouble and the system isn’t working for us, they’re the ones out there marching and protesting.”
Challenges Ahead for Harris
With the 2024 election just around the corner, Harris has a very long way to win over certain key voting constituencies, including Black men. Polls have indicated a lack of interest in Harris’ campaign from Black men, which some political observers have chalked up to gender differences and the legacy of doubt about her policies.
Although Abrams and Obama have each addressed sexism, they are hopeful that Harris’ outreach to Black voters will make up for it down the stretch. Early voting is underway in a number of states, so Harris’ ability to reach black men might be pivotal to his White House run.
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