For generations, Black Americans have been the backbone of the Democratic Party. Since the era of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, our communities have cast votes that have helped sustain the party and drive it forward. Our support has been unwavering, passed down from one generation to the next, a legacy of loyalty rooted in the promise of progress.
But what if we made a shift? What if Black America decided to rethink its political allegiance and embrace the power of independence, to redefine the game, and to reclaim our power. Imagine the impact we could have if we declared, as one, that our votes are not guaranteed, and our allegiance is not to any party but to our own progress. What if, instead of being the loyal backbone of a party that rarely shows up for us, we became the deciding force, the wild card that neither party could ignore? If we choose to wield our political power with intention we could create real change, not just for ourselves, but for future generations. This is a call for all of us to think critically about our political power, to challenge the status quo, and to build a future where our votes are valued, our voices are respected, and our communities, and families are thriving.
Republicans understand the stakes; they know the earthquake that would follow if we stopped voting out of habit and started voting with calculated intention. Democrats, too, are fully aware of the collapse that could happen if we took a step back and held our votes as currency to be earned, not expected. The truth is, both parties are acutely aware of our potential to reshape the landscape, but they bank on us never realizing that power.
It’s time to change that. It’s time for Black America to recognize the immense political power we hold, to become a force that demands action, that commands respect, and that shifts the balance of power on our terms. We have the strength. We have the numbers. Now is the time to use them. This is a moment. Let’s turn our frustration into a force for change. Black America, we no longer can afford to be predictable. We have nothing to lose, yet everything to gain.
Councilwoman Demetrus Coonrod