The Other Fifty Percent

​Now that Joe Biden has been declared President-Elect, I am wondering what knowledge can be gained by looking at the demographics of the vote.  In short, who voted for Trump and, regardless of the rhetoric, who supports the racial justice agenda of African-Americans.  We sit in Zoom meetings, professional conferences, and the breakroom at work with people of all backgrounds and political positions.  Until recently, there has been an art to projecting the politically correct persona depending on the group or individual you are talking with.  The Trump presidency has stripped the cover off of some deeply held racial and social mobility beliefs that perpetuates systemic racism in corporate, educational, and governmental organizations across America.
 
One of the most comprehensive election exit polls that I have found is conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Pool and reported by the New York Times.  The preliminary results of interviews with over fifteen thousand voters after casting their ballots indicate some interesting  insights.

• 65% of those interviewed self-identified as White, 12% Black, and 13% Hispanic/Latino, 3% Asian
• 57% of the White voters voted for Trump; 42% voted for Biden;
• 58% of White men and 55% of White women voted for Trump;
• 72% of the Nonwhite voters voted for Biden; 26% voted for Trump
• 83% were over the age of 30 years old and 56% had no college degree;
• Of those voters with no college degree, half voted for Biden and half voted for Trump;
• 76% of White Evangelicals or Born-Again Christians voted for Trump;
• Of those White voters making more than $100K – 54% voted for Trump and 43% voted for Biden;
• 20% of voters thought Racial Inequality mattered most when casting their vote and 91% of them voted for Biden
• 35% of voters thought the Economy mattered most and 82% of them voted for Trump
• 46% of those interviewed would be concerned or scared if Biden were elected and 50% of them would be concerned or scared if Trump were re-elected

 
The most significant insight is the fact that White women voted for Trump at the same rate as White men.  Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric of suburban, college educated White women.  They continue to vote to perpetuate the systemic power of White men and their White sons.  Another significant but not surprising fact is that 54% of White people making “good money” over $100K prioritized the economy and their 401Ks over your civil rights as an American citizen.  The fact that you are racially profiled and disproportionately killed by police is less important than their financial health.

​All of you mid-career African-American men and women in corporate and educational organizations, please know that more than half of those helpful, nice and supportive White women don’t see a problem with police brutality and unequal justice that your family endures.  At the very least, its not a national priority, the economy – money and the power it brings – is the most important priority for them.
 
Black and Hispanic/Latino voters had to come out and vote in record numbers for Joe Biden to become President.  Even with four years of Trump’s lying, corruption, and racist rhetoric more White men and women voted for him in 2020 that did in 2016.  Think about that.  It is White Americans that need to soul search and check their moral compass.  It is this group of Americans above all else that need to have tough conversations among themselves.

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In my opinion, Black Americans must now devise a national strategy that negatively impacts the economic well-being of corporate and educational organizations.  They cannot be allowed to operate business “as usual” without pressing law makers to directly address each aspect of the Contract With Black America and direct payment reparations.