October 8, 2024
Opinion Piece:
The DNC Has A Black Men Problem—And It’s Breaking Their Promise
By Nacovin J. Norman, Ed.S
Black men, once seen as a bedrock of the Democratic Party’s voter base, are beginning to question their allegiance. Despite casting ballots year after year, hoping for transformative change, many Black men now feel abandoned by the party. This growing alienation is more than just a statistic—it's a story of broken promises and persistent inequality, playing out in communities across America. Take Marcus, a Black man in his late thirties, working two jobs in Philadelphia just to keep his family afloat. For Marcus, the Democratic Party has always promised a brighter future, a better tomorrow. But after decades of loyalty, he’s beginning to wonder if that tomorrow will ever come. Marcus’s story is emblematic of millions of Black men across the country, disillusioned and asking the question: “Does the Democratic Party really care about us?” https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/07/12/voter-turnout-2018-2022/pp_2023-07-12_validated-voters_1-03-png/
1. The Crux of the Problem: A Disconnect Between Rhetoric and Reality
Economic Disillusionment Black men like Marcus often face a uniquely harsh economic reality. National unemployment rates for Black men are consistently higher than their white counterparts. In 2020, the Black male unemployment rate surged to nearly 16%, far above the national average, exacerbating already existing disparities . Despite Democratic promises of equity and economic justice, these disparities have remained largely unaddressed. Studies from the Center for American Progress reveal that Black men consistently rank economic concerns, including employment, wages, and access to capital, as their top priorities . Yet, the DNC has been criticized for failing to craft policies specifically targeting Black male economic empowerment. While the party often discusses criminal justice reform, the broader issues of economic disenfranchisement for Black men remain on the back burner. https://www.npr.org/2024/08/14/g-s1-16261/young-black-voters-generation-democrats-conservative-trump-harris-gen-z-millennials
2. Lack of Representation Despite their loyalty, Black men continue to be severely underrepresented in Democratic leadership positions. A 2021 report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found that, while Black women are increasingly gaining visibility in leadership roles, Black men remain conspicuously absent . This lack of representation creates the perception that Black men are being sidelined in favor of other groups within the party's coalition, further deepening the divide. Marcus watches these dynamics play out in real time. While he’s proud to see progress for other groups, he can’t help but wonder why Black men aren’t elevated to the same level of prominence. Without adequate representation, Black men’s concerns are often treated as peripheral, reinforcing the notion that their loyalty is expected but not rewarded. (Picture Source: Wix Unsplash Cris Mac Photography)
3. Cultural Disconnect For Black men like Marcus, the Democratic Party’s messaging often feels detached from their lived experiences. The DNC’s focus on progressive issues—while important—sometimes misses the mark in addressing the cultural values and social realities of Black men. Faith, family, and community are central pillars in the lives of many Black men, but these values often feel ignored or misunderstood by the party’s leadership . Many Black men see the church not just as a religious institution, but as a source of strength, identity, and resilience. Yet, the DNC's messaging seems more focused on appealing to college-educated elites than addressing the deeper cultural and spiritual roots of Black male voters. As Pew Research highlighted in its 2020 voter analysis, more than a quarter of Black men under 50 felt the Democratic Party was inattentive to their specific needs . https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/08/opinion/democrats-black-male-voters.html
The Emotional Toll of Being Overlooked
This growing rift between Black men and the Democratic Party is not just political—it’s deeply personal. Black men like Marcus feel used, their votes valued during election cycles but forgotten afterward. The emotional toll of this neglect is profound. For many, it’s a feeling of abandonment by the very party that claims to champion justice and equality. While criminal justice reform is essential, it’s not enough. Black men want to see their full humanity recognized. They want policies that speak to their economic struggles, their cultural values, and their role as fathers and leaders in their communities. The disconnect between the party’s promises and its actions is wearing down trust. And trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild. (Picture Source: Wix Unsplash Un-Seen History Studio)
A Path Forward:
Rebuilding Trust and Taking Action The Democratic Party’s Black men problem isn’t unsolvable, but it requires bold action and a commitment to real change. To win back the trust of Black men like Marcus, the DNC must do more than just offer rhetoric—it must deliver results.
1. Targeted Economic Solutions Black men need specific, targeted initiatives designed to address their unique economic struggles. This includes expanding access to capital for Black-owned businesses, developing job training programs in emerging industries, and closing the wage gap that disproportionately affects Black men. Economic justice must become a cornerstone of the party’s platform, not just a talking point.
2. Increase Black Male Leadership The DNC must prioritize elevating Black men into leadership roles at every level of the party. Without representation in leadership, Black men’s concerns will continue to be marginalized. By including more Black men in policymaking roles, the party can show it’s serious about addressing the issues that matter most to this key demographic. (Picture Source: Wix Unsplash Media Gleisson Joaquim)
3. Culturally Relevant Engagement The party needs to reconnect with the cultural roots of Black male voters. This means engaging with Black churches, fraternities, and community organizations year-round, not just during campaign season. The DNC must demonstrate that it understands the importance of faith, family, and community in Black men’s lives, and craft policies that reflect these values.
4. Real Criminal Justice Reform and Beyond While criminal justice reform remains critical, the DNC needs to expand its focus. Black men want more than promises to reduce incarceration rates—they want job opportunities, access to housing, and comprehensive education reform. The party must offer a vision for Black male empowerment that goes beyond policing.
(Picture Source: Wix Media)
Conclusion: Rewriting the Narrative Marcus’s story is still being written. But unless the DNC acts swiftly and decisively, the party risks losing a critical segment of its base. Black men like Marcus are not asking for handouts—they’re asking for respect, for policies that reflect their unique challenges, and for leaders who see them as more than just a vote. The Democratic Party must move beyond symbolic gestures and start delivering real, measurable change. Black men have been loyal, but loyalty has its limits. The time for rhetoric is over; it’s time for action. If the DNC wants to restore the trust it has lost, it must commit to a new narrative—one rooted in equity, respect, and accountability.
Works Cited
1. Pew Research. “Black Male Voter Turnout and Political Leanings in 2020.” Pew Research Center, 2021.
2. Center for American Progress. “Economic Priorities of Black Male Voters.” Center for American Progress, 2022.
3. Brookings Institution. “Black Men Increasingly Feel Left Out by the Democratic Party.” Brookings Institution, 2020.
4. Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. “Report on Black Leadership Representation in Politics.” Joint Center, 2021.
5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Black Male Unemployment Rates and Labor Market Disparities.” U.S. Department of Labor, 2021.
6. Pew Research. "Black Voter Disenchantment: The 2020 Election's Revealing Statistics." Pew Research Center, 2021.
7. Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). “Faith, Family, and the Future of the Democratic Party’s Black Male Vote.” PRRI, 2020. © 2024 Nacovin J. Norman, Ed.S. All Rights Reserved.
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