1
(ThyBlackMan.com) It’s time for Black Americans to take a hard look at our political strategy and start demanding more than symbolism and empty promises. If we continue down the path of blindly following party lines, we risk being left behind as the country moves forward.
Despite shifting 21% to the right in recent elections, Black voters—especially Black women—continue to be the most loyal demographic to the Democratic Party. But why? What do we know that the rest of the nation doesn’t? In a political landscape dominated by identity politics, it seems we’re voting for symbolism rather than tangible results. Case in point: Vice President Kamala Harris, touted as a champion of the Black community, isn’t even Black by heritage. But we’re still expected to rally behind her as if she’s a panacea for our challenges.
The time has come to break free from the cycle of supporting a party that’s not delivering on real change for Black America. Too many of us are still caught up in the politics of representation, where the mere appearance of progress, such as having a Black woman in the White House, seems enough to secure our vote. But the reality is, this “woke” agenda is getting us nowhere. It’s time to shift back to our original conservative values, ones that prioritize family, education, and self-reliance—values that can help elevate our communities and put us on a path to real empowerment.
Under a potential new Trump administration, identity politics will likely remain front and center. But as Black Americans, we risk being dismissed if we don’t evolve with the times. While 21% of us shifted to the right, we’re still far behind the rest of the nation in terms of political evolution. The focus on race relations, while important, is outdated and increasingly irrelevant to many Americans who are more concerned with economic development, crime reduction, and a strong national infrastructure. Meanwhile, Black voters seem locked in an endless cycle of voting for a party that promises progress but delivers little beyond symbolic gestures.
Let’s face it: The current state of Black political engagement seems trapped in an antiquated narrative of victimhood. For example, 92% of Black women are one-issue voters, primarily driven by abortion rights, a single-issue concern that affects only a small segment of the population. And many older Black men, particularly those over 65, are still clinging to outdated views on race relations and identity politics. The result is a stagnation that’s holding us back from meaningful progress.
We need to ask ourselves: What are we actually getting for our vote? Is it enough to see a few Black faces in high places, or do we demand policies that actually improve our quality of life—better schools, safer communities, and robust infrastructure? These are the real issues facing Black Americans, and if we continue to vote based on symbolic representation rather than tangible change, we’ll remain stuck in a cycle of unfulfilled promises.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that other racial and ethnic groups are moving forward by voting based on issues that affect their economic prosperity, personal freedoms, and national security. It’s time for Black Americans to do the same. We need to stop being swayed by flashy performances or emotional appeals and start demanding meaningful, data-driven policies that will improve our communities.
If we don’t, we’ll find ourselves more disconnected from the rest of the nation, with our concerns reduced to a relic of outdated rhetoric. The Black vote must evolve from a tool of symbolic support to a lever for real, lasting change. It’s time to stop letting identity politics define us and start defining what matters: a better future for our children, our families, and our communities. Let’s get serious about the issues that affect us all—and demand policies that reflect our values and needs.
Staff Writer; Christopher Anderson
This brother is a third-generation Baltimorean, a father of three, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, and a lifelong community advocate. He is currently Chairman of the Maryland Black Republican Council & a member of the Baltimore City Republican Central Committee. He has run for Congress and the Baltimore City Council.
