Racial Inequality in the 2020 Elections
The issue of racial inequality has been an inevitable discord in how the 2020 Election will play out.
On the final presidential debate that happened on October 22nd, there was a highlight that continued to circulate in the media. It was a highlight of President Donald J. Trump stating that he is “the least racist person in [the] room.” This answer was brought upon a question that moderator Kristen Welker asked on how some American’s feel that President Trump’s past comments are “contributing to a climate of hate and racial strife.”
The issue of race has resurged in multitudes of ways this year. With the killing of George Floyd and the tragic shooting of Breonna Taylor just to name a few, there has been a spark in nationwide protests, criticism of policies and people in power, and even an outcry for police reforms. According to a Pew Research study, “black adults say that the country hasn’t made enough progress on racial equality.”
In another Pew Research study, race and ethnic inequality were not on the top five issues to the American voters as the economy, healthcare, and the Supreme Court appointment took the top three spots. However, the issue of race has become a topic that has been thrust to the American public and will be integral to the 2020 Elections.
Experts state that the death of George Floyd and the protests that followed are considered catalysts for the current conversations of systemic racism and police reform according to an ABC News article.
In a New York Times interactive,” nearly 95 percent of counties that had a protest.. are majority white.” These events and protests have brought attention to the inequality that minorities have been facing and have brought white Americans to speak out on the issue. This has awakened minority voters and subconsciously made both parties scramble to catch their votes.
With a big demographic shift in the electorate that is happening all across the country, the discussion on race has become more imperative in order to win the presidency.
President Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden have had their share of history when it comes to the issues of race. Former Vice President Biden’s 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act being resonated for its dire effects on the African American people and the huge influx of prisoners in the United States. While remarks from President Trump since the campaign trail about Hispanics crossing the borders, the Black Lives Matter movement, and refusal to denounce White supremacist groups in the first debate have come to hurt his standing with minority voters.
Both are trying to see that their minority voters increase through issued plans for racial equality. Biden’s plan ranges from health care to policing, even pledging “to support minority-owned small businesses “ according to an NPR article. In that same article, it states that “Trump has not outlined a broad policy plan to address racial inequity.” However, he has called for the expansion of Opportunity Zones and a four-step policy to address disparities.
The issue of race is a longstanding problem that has been weaved in the fabric of this nation. The past events from the police killings of unarmed black people and the protests that followed have created the greatest strife for racial equality since 1968.
Like 1968, the year 2020 will go down in history for many reasons. A worldwide pandemic, an economic downturn, and racial tensions that have advanced global protests all for the sake of an election.
