When it comes to the 2020 presidential election it is extremely easy to find negatives about either party’s candidates. All you have to do is watch the main stream news outlets to find the Democrat’s view of President Donald Trump, and then it doesn’t take much searching, including Fox News, to find the Republican’s view of Vice President Joe Biden. But what are the true pros and cons of each candidate specifically for African Americans?
Candidate Donald Trump
Let’s first take a look at the incumbent, President Donald Trump. Despite what most left wing media says, he has actually done a decent amount for the African American community. In August of 2019 unemployment among African Americans hit its all time low of 5.4% which was towards the tail end of a steady decline since the president came into office. January of 2020 saw an uptick to 6.0% before the pandemic went into full swing. Wages for African Americans have been on the rise to help with the low unemployment. These two things combined have drastically changed the lives of many in the U.S. To go with this, tax cuts have helped keep money in the pockets of hard working African Americans. More money in the pockets of Americans of color help keep the entire economy strong and going in a positive direction. Many of the tax cuts the president has given are focused on low-income areas that are targeted at African Americans to help those in poverty.
What about the cons? Has President Donald Trump only helped the African American community? One thing his administration did was cut funding to halfway housing hurting those attempting to turn their life around after prison. Prison reform has been a big issue and many view the president as lacking in that area. To make that worse, while unemployment did sink to its lowest in history under the president, it has also skyrocketed in the last several months. Yes there is a pandemic, but why has the African American community suffered so? It reached its short term peak in May at 16.8% and is currently at 14.6% as of July.
Candidate Joe Biden
Vice President Joe Biden on the other hand has been a supporter of the African American community. Should Biden win the presidency he plans to implement policy that builds and sustains wealth in their communities. He plans on implementing housing and education policies that give first time home buyers up to $15,000 down payment assistance; He plans to invest in HBCUs and MSIs; He’ll also double funding for small business assistance especially for businesses owned by people of color. Another great aspect of Joe Biden’s plan is expanding Obamacare allowing those with low income to be able to afford healthcare. Without assistance healthcare is extremely expensive, but Joe Biden plans to combat that through government assistance. He also plans to triple funding for schools with a high percentage of low-income students. Biden also plans on funding education beyond high school. His plan is to provide two years of community college or other high-end training. More specific to the African American community he plans on investing over $70 billion to HBCUs and other minority focused educational institutions.
For all of the good he plans on doing Vice President Joe Biden does still have some cons for the African American community. Whether intentional or not, Biden has made several racist remarks recently and was involved in several segregation movements in the 1970s. In 1974 he voted to keep schools segregated and turned against the Democrats who were pushing the “forced busing” laws. His law enforcement policies he has pushed in the 1980s and 1990s have put more African Americans in prison than any other. While many view law enforcement as an entity that focuses on the African American community, Joe Biden has work tirelessly to write the laws that entity enforces.
Impact of Election on African American Community
It goes without saying that 2020 has been a significant year for African Americans. No matter who you go with there is no perfect candidate. Both have pros, both have cons. Whoever wins, African Americans will specifically be impacted and their lives will change. Both men claim to support and work hard for people of color, but both parties claim the other candidate hate people of color. Educate yourself well and find the facts. Find what both men say, and then what they do. Make your choice based on actions.