By Javar Juarez | Op-Ed
Columbia, S.C. - For many Black men, including myself, we find ourselves trapped between a rock and a hard place. The current political climate, combined with targeted attacks on Black male voters, feels not only insulting but also like a distraction from more pressing issues. Our ability to engage with corporate Democrats and negotiate meaningful change continues to be obstructed. Meanwhile, key figures—even those within the Democratic Party, have gone on the defensive because many of us are hesitant, if not outright reluctant, to cast a vote at all.
We understand the situation clearly, and in conversations with many Black men, the sentiment is undeniable: we’re exhausted—period. It feels like a no-win scenario, where every option leads to disappointment. Despite being a crucial part of the Democratic base, we now find ourselves targeted and criticized. It’s absurd.
We are frustrated by the dismissal of our feelings, voices, and beliefs, especially when we're pressured to act simply because others demand it. Other groups have their concerns addressed with urgency, but when it comes to Black men—those like myself who serve in the Democratic Party as leaders among the people—we are ignored, diminished, and sidelined for daring to speak the truth. We are not a monolith, and we refuse to be told what to do.
We recognize the challenges before us, but the endless stream of empty promises and absence of meaningful opportunities—ones that should have been prioritized this election cycle—have taken their toll. Many Black men in South Carolina have lost confidence in the Democratic Party, largely due to its entrenched power structure under figures like James Clyburn and his influence over the state party. The actions of the party in Richland County—how they operate, organize, and engage—discourage Black men who endure daily struggles with poverty, systemic abuse, racism and discrimination.
It’s telling that Black women in the South are more likely to be promoted than Black men. And if we dare to criticize the party’s lack of action, inclusivity, or service to our community, we are quickly labeled as enemies. I’ve seen this first hand throughout my journey to advocate for more equitable conditions for Black people in the South. Simply speaking up for poor Black communities has brought me hardship and ostracization. I’ve been mistreated, silenced, and exiled for making demands—but I persist, following the path the Lord has laid out for me.
The Democratic Party has shown that it prioritizes power over solving the real crises devastating our communities. Black men continue to die from gun violence, suffer from health disparities, battle mental health challenges, and endure the destruction of families under an unjust welfare system. Meanwhile, the party’s elites—figures like Roland Martin, James Clyburn, and Hakeem Jeffries—thrive in their circles of influence, patting each other on the back while resisting meaningful investments in community programs, infrastructure, or initiatives that uplift and equip people in the “hood.”
As Black men, we are held to impossible expectations, but when we ask for assistance—assistance funded by our own tax dollars—we are met with resistance. This cycle of neglect must end.
The Black Economy: A Complex Reality
The economic progress seen among Black Americans today represents some of the most favorable conditions in generations. Unemployment and poverty rates have hit record lows, while income and wealth levels have reached new highs. At first glance, these figures might suggest widespread prosperity. However, a closer look reveals that many Black Americans continue to face significant economic insecurity. Despite the impressive statistics, the challenges of asset poverty and persistent economic inequality between Black and white Americans remain stark.
These economic advances, though noteworthy, are not enough to dispel the deeper structural inequalities that loom. As the country approaches a pivotal election, many African American voters are prioritizing economic issues over social concerns often spotlighted in political discourse. However, as backlash mounts against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, it becomes clear that without intentional efforts to promote economic mobility for Black Americans, we will remain marginalized within the economy.
Key Economic Trends for Black Americans
Decline in Unemployment: Between 1972 and 2022, Black unemployment averaged 11.6%. In 2023, it dropped to 5.5%, marking the lowest annual rate on record.
Closing the Employment Gap: While the 2023 Black unemployment rate was still 1.7 times higher than that of white workers, this represents progress compared to the 2.1 times average gap between 1972 and 2022.
Increased Employment Participation: Black prime-age employment reached a record high of 78% in the first half of 2024, surpassing 2023’s rate of 77.6%.
Income Growth: Black median household income increased by nearly 30% since 2011, rising from $41,000 to almost $53,000 by 2022.
Decline in Poverty: Black poverty dropped from 55% in 1959 to below 20% in recent years, marking sustained progress.
Wealth Recovery: Black household median wealth reached nearly $45,000 in 2022, more than double the post-recession low of $17,000 in 2013.
Persistent Challenges and Inequalities
Despite recent economic progress, significant disparities persist. In 2023, 1.4 million more Black individuals would need employment to reach parity with white employment levels, translating into an estimated $60 billion in lost earnings for Black communities. Black median household income remains nearly $30,000 below that of white households and has yet to surpass what white households earned in 1972. Additionally, with a median wealth of $45,000, Black households remain far from the $190,000 benchmark typically associated with middle-class security.
According to the 2023 Still A Dream report by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the pace of closing the Black-white economic gap is alarmingly slow.
If the current trajectory continues, achieving income equality could take over 500 years, and wealth equality nearly 800 years.
Frustration with Political Engagement
The political narrative around Black voters has too often relied on fear tactics. From Donald Trump’s "boogeyman" persona to Biden’s infamous "you ain’t Black" remark and Obama’s shaming of Black men for not supporting Kamala Harris, many Black men have grown weary of such rhetoric. Our network surveys conducted among Black men reveal a deep frustration with the lack of meaningful economic progress.
Of those surveyed:
75% (90 of 120) cited a lack of investment, access, and support as the primary reason they struggled to complete college.
67% (80 of 120) expressed regret over taking student loans, wishing they had instead pursued business ventures or vocational training.
33% (40 of 120) felt that college would not improve their prospects, given the limited career opportunities for Black men in South Carolina without personal connections.
These findings highlight a shift among Black men, emphasizing that economic equity, investment, and access to opportunity are increasingly prioritized over party loyalty. Frustration with unfulfilled promises and systemic barriers has strengthened the resolve to pursue meaningful change, even if it requires moving beyond traditional political affiliations.
Roland Martin Goes Rogue and South Carolina or Bust
Throughout this election season, Roland Martin, on his Unfiltered show, consistently criticized the Democratic Party’s white consultants for neglecting Black media and maintaining disproportionate control over party decisions. He highlighted how the Democratic National Committee (DNC) failed to invest in meaningful messaging targeted at Black men, emphasizing that these missed opportunities alienate an essential voting bloc. Yet, as a media frenzy targeting Black male voters has erupted—seemingly instigated by figures like President Obama—Martin’s tone has shifted, leading to frustration among many.
In recent comments, Martin suggested that Black men sound foolish for not fully supporting Kamala Harris. However, the backlash isn’t about opposing Harris; it stems from frustration with broken promises and feeling overlooked. Ironically, figures like Obama and Martin—who position themselves as champions of independent Black networks like the Columbia Urban Broadcast Network (CUBN), which serves 42,000 readers, 45% of whom are Black men—are now undermining the same audience they claim to support. This shift from advocacy to critique feels disconcerting, particularly as many Black men voice growing discontent with the lack of tangible progress and the ongoing political attacks from both parties.
Many believe that Harris could more effectively engage the Black community if given the space to speak for herself, as we’ve recently seen, without interference from party surrogates. During South Carolina’s first-in-the-nation primary, it became evident that Biden’s surrogates hindered his campaign’s momentum by alienating Black voters. Their rhetoric came across as insincere, dishonest, and disconnected from the realities faced by the community, reinforcing the perception that the Democratic Party was out of touch with their needs. Both delegates and voters quickly recognized that, even with Biden leading the ticket, gaining the trust of Black voters would be a significant challenge.
Here in South Carolina The issue lies not just with messaging but also with the party's structure. The Democrats tend to promote individuals they can control—those who conform to the status quo without challenging leadership. Nepotism, favoritism, and cronyism within the party have sidelined authentic voices, elevating consultants disconnected from the experiences of everyday Black South Carolinians, or doing their best to climb from among us. Just because these consultants share the same skin color doesn’t mean they represent our community’s interests.
Despite some promising economic indicators, these systemic issues remain unresolved. If the Democratic Party fails to address economic inequality and invest meaningfully in Black communities, the progress achieved will be insufficient. Economic empowerment—not fear—drives the priorities of Black men today. The political establishment must recognize this shift and engage authentically, or risk further alienation, thats if they can.
#JavarJuarez #SouthCarolinaDemocrats #SCDP #RCDP #Democrats #BlackMen #BlackVotersMatter #BlackVote #BlackLivesMatter #BlackWealth #Equity #Reparations
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