Blacks will push Joe to the win, if anyone will

I was tired, cranky, sweating in line at a Stop 'n Shop in a poor part of New Haven to cash in my returned-bottle receipts. Somehow, the talk turned to the recent debate and the impending election. The woman ahead of me, a fiery Black lady of middle age, shot back that she was staying with Joe.

"People are afraid of a little age. 81. So what! Look at all the good things he's done. He's not perfect, but who is? I am staying with him. He's a good man."

And someone brought up Obama's name. I said you could be sure he'll be more in his ear than ever if he continues.

She: "That's just fine. I won't let people try to replace JOE!"

I have to say, this Democrat was moved. Her love for him shook me to the core. Until I realized what was really happening. The Black community was so thrilled to finally have a person of color in office that they naturally loved his "this is a big effing deal" sidekick, Uncle Joe. The Barack Obama legacy pervades even through the darkest of illness-cum-ego-cum-loquaciousness that defines Joe Biden Redux. And as I write, I realize I might be missing some new soundbite or image caught by CNN or Fox. Remember the frozen look as he walked off stage? Obama had to lead him off, like he would have done to his dad or our grandpa. None of us bought that Uncle Joe was just taking in the crowd, taking in the moment.

None of us bought it, but one community in particular was not holding it against him: African Americans. And it goes deeper even than Obama. Our sick history of slavery in this country means any man who represents the antithesis of that will be a savior. Trump does not represent that. His MAGA love-ins are whiter than Biden's teeth.

Biden is rightfully bragging about his ongoing support by the Congressional Black Congress, as he relishes what could be near full support from the 45 million Blacks* in a country of over 300 million. That is a good chunk of the electorate to have on your side. Joe knows it. Jill knows it. And Trump definitely knows it.

* 2022 statistics, more or less

Photo: By The White House - President Joe Biden crosses the Edmund Pettus Bridge with civil rights leaders to commemorate the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Selma, Alabama. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) https://www.flickr.com/photos/191819781@N02/52752304975/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129795898

Comments

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