Harris Proposes 'Opportunity Agenda' for Black Men
Kamala Harris, who is currently on track to record the Democrats' worst presidential-election performance with black voters in 64 years, proposed an "Opportunity Agenda" for black men on Monday. The agenda includes the provision of one million "forgivable loans" of $20,000 each.
The loans will be offered to black entrepreneurs in collaboration with trusted organizations such as mission-driven lenders and banks that have demonstrated a commitment to their communities, according to the Harris-Walz campaign. If these "forgivable loans" are similar to those provided to businesses during the Covid stimulus, they will essentially be a form of wealth redistribution aimed at securing black votes.
Details of the Program
The campaign has not provided many details about the program, including the specific requirements for qualification.
Harris' proposal is a response to her poor polling numbers among black voters. In 2012, President Obama had an 85-point margin in the black vote. However, Harris is only leading by 54 points. The numbers are even worse among black men aged 18 to 45, with Obama winning by 81 points and Harris leading by 41. Among all black men and women, Harris is set to have the lowest share of the black vote since the 1960 election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
Additional Promises
In addition to financial support, Harris also promised to support black men in the marijuana business. This comes after her record of mass incarceration of marijuana users was criticized during the 2020 campaign. Harris has pledged to not only end federal marijuana prohibition but also to ensure that black men, who have been disproportionately targeted by marijuana laws, can access wealth and jobs in the marijuana industry.
The Harris agenda for black men also includes measures to ensure that cryptocurrency regulation supports black men's ownership of such assets. This comes after years of criticism of cryptocurrencies as vehicles for drug trafficking.
Reaction to the Proposal
The proposal for the $20,000 "loan" scheme follows another attempt to strengthen the Democratic coalition's black cornerstone. On Thursday, Barack Obama criticized black men for their lack of support for the vice president, even accusing them of sexism. This led to a backlash on social media, with black men ridiculing Obama, Harris, and the Democratic Party.
Bottom Line
The "Opportunity Agenda" proposed by Kamala Harris is a clear attempt to secure the black vote in the upcoming election. However, the lack of details about the program and the mixed reactions to it raise questions about its potential effectiveness. What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you think it will be successful in securing the black vote? Share this article with your friends and let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
Harris Proposes 'Opportunity Agenda' for Black Men
Kamala Harris, who is currently on track to record the Democrats' worst presidential-election performance with black voters in 64 years, proposed an "Opportunity Agenda" for black men on Monday. The agenda includes the provision of one million "forgivable loans" of $20,000 each.
The loans will be offered to black entrepreneurs in collaboration with trusted organizations such as mission-driven lenders and banks that have demonstrated a commitment to their communities, according to the Harris-Walz campaign. If these "forgivable loans" are similar to those provided to businesses during the Covid stimulus, they will essentially be a form of wealth redistribution aimed at securing black votes.
Details of the Program
The campaign has not provided many details about the program, including the specific requirements for qualification.
Harris' proposal is a response to her poor polling numbers among black voters. In 2012, President Obama had an 85-point margin in the black vote. However, Harris is only leading by 54 points. The numbers are even worse among black men aged 18 to 45, with Obama winning by 81 points and Harris leading by 41. Among all black men and women, Harris is set to have the lowest share of the black vote since the 1960 election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
Additional Promises
In addition to financial support, Harris also promised to support black men in the marijuana business. This comes after her record of mass incarceration of marijuana users was criticized during the 2020 campaign. Harris has pledged to not only end federal marijuana prohibition but also to ensure that black men, who have been disproportionately targeted by marijuana laws, can access wealth and jobs in the marijuana industry.
The Harris agenda for black men also includes measures to ensure that cryptocurrency regulation supports black men's ownership of such assets. This comes after years of criticism of cryptocurrencies as vehicles for drug trafficking.
Reaction to the Proposal
The proposal for the $20,000 "loan" scheme follows another attempt to strengthen the Democratic coalition's black cornerstone. On Thursday, Barack Obama criticized black men for their lack of support for the vice president, even accusing them of sexism. This led to a backlash on social media, with black men ridiculing Obama, Harris, and the Democratic Party.
Bottom Line
The "Opportunity Agenda" proposed by Kamala Harris is a clear attempt to secure the black vote in the upcoming election. However, the lack of details about the program and the mixed reactions to it raise questions about its potential effectiveness. What are your thoughts on this proposal? Do you think it will be successful in securing the black vote? Share this article with your friends and let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
