In 2016, during his first presidential campaign, Donald Trump made an appeal to Black voters that highlighted longstanding stereotypes about poverty within the Black community. He asserted that Black Americans were entrenched in poverty, with poor education and high unemployment rates, specifically among the youth. His message implied that Black Americans had nothing to lose by supporting him, perpetuating a narrative that has been part of American political discourse for decades.
This narrative, rooted in racist stereotypes, is not new but is a continuation of a myth that has been perpetuated by politicians like Ronald Reagan, who infamously spoke of “welfare queens” in the 1970s and 1980s. Reagan’s rhetoric was designed to paint poverty as predominantly a Black issue, thereby justifying cuts to social welfare programs by convincing poor white Americans that these programs primarily benefited Black individuals, rather than acknowledging the widespread impact of poverty across racial lines.
The Reality of Poverty in America
The narrative that poverty is predominantly a Black issue obscures the broader reality of poverty in the United States. Reverend Dr. William Barber III, a senior lecturer and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, highlights that of the 135 million poor and low-wage individuals in the country, 66 million are white, and 26 million are Black. This statistic underscores the fact that poverty affects a significant portion of the white population, a reality often overshadowed by the focus on race in discussions of poverty.
In the voting booth, poor and low-wage individuals represent a substantial portion of the electorate, particularly in battleground states where they can account for over 40% of voters. Despite their numbers, many of these individuals do not vote, often because they feel that the political system does not address their needs.
The Political Power of Poor Americans
Census data reveals that low-income Americans are less likely to register to vote compared to those earning $100,000 or more annually. This segment of the population often feels voiceless, as political campaigns historically have not targeted them as a crucial voting bloc. However, Barber argues that these individuals hold significant political power. In swing states, elections are often decided by a small margin of votes.
For example, in Wisconsin, the last election was determined by just 20,000 votes, while over a million poor and low-wage voters did not participate. In North Carolina, a similar pattern was observed, with the margin of victory being 74,000 votes, while many low-wage workers did not cast their ballots. The primary reason for this low turnout is that these voters feel that political campaigns do not address the policies that would impact their lives, such as healthcare, living wages, and voting rights.
Potential for Political Change
Barber emphasizes that addressing the needs of poor and low-wage voters could transform the political landscape. Many of these individuals support policies like a living wage of at least $15 an hour, access to healthcare, and the protection of voting rights. These issues are not only morally just but also economically beneficial for the country. For instance, addressing child poverty and ensuring fair wages would reduce overall costs to society.
The Poor People’s Campaign is actively working to reach 15 million poor and low-wage voters, advocating for policies that could sway elections if these voters turn out in greater numbers. Barber suggests that political campaigns should directly appeal to these voters by outlining how their lives would improve if they were to support specific candidates.
Breaking the Divide
Historically, identity politics and racial division have been effective tools in maintaining the status quo, keeping poor Black and white Americans divided. Martin Luther King Jr., before his assassination, was working on bridging this divide, emphasizing that the struggles of poor Black and white Americans were interconnected. Barber echoes this sentiment, arguing that if the racial divide can be bridged, it would create a powerful coalition capable of driving significant political change.
This coalition, which could include up to 30 million potential voters who did not participate in the last election, represents the largest untapped political force in the country. If mobilized, this group could fundamentally alter the political landscape, influencing both who gets elected and the policies they implement.
Conclusion
The persistence of racist tropes in American politics has obscured the full picture of poverty, preventing a united front against systemic issues. Reverend Dr. William Barber III’s work with the Poor People’s Campaign aims to dismantle these divisions, advocating for a more inclusive approach that recognizes the common struggles of poor Americans across racial lines. By doing so, there is potential to harness the political power of this significant yet often overlooked portion of the electorate, driving transformative change in the pursuit of social and economic justice.
