Speaking almost entirely to the Rev. Al Sharpton’s racial justice conference on April 12, 2024, President Joe Biden reassured an understanding audience that “we’ve kept our promises” as he stepped up efforts to mobilize Black voters, who will be crucial to his re-election campaign this fall.
Speaking to a crowd of several hundred people at the annual National Action Network Convention in New York, Biden ran down a lengthy list of what he claimed to be some of the major achievements of his administration for Black Americans. He explained how federal public works funding could be used to reunite divided city neighborhoods caused by the construction of highways decades ago. Additionally, billions of dollars could be invested in historically Black colleges and universities.
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“Together, we’ve kept our promises to make some of the most significant investments in the Black American community ever,” Biden said. He also mentioned the hundreds of prisoners he had pardoned for their convictions on federal marijuana crimes, the fight against racial discrimination in the real estate industry, and the millions of Americans whose student loans he had canceled.
The US president refers to this change within the black community as a transformational “change”, he continues his statement noting, “We know there’s much more work to do.”
He stated that he still intended to sign significant laws extending voting rights and the George Floyd Act, a police reform package named for a Black man whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020 prompted nationwide demonstrations for racial justice and calls for federal legislation.
Republican former president Donald Trump, who has attempted to increase his appeal to Black voters, will face Biden again in November.
Trump claims that the four criminal indictments he has received have improved his standing with members of the influential voting bloc, who view him as a victim of discrimination and have compared the historical legacy of anti-Black prejudice in the American legal system to his legal predicament. Additionally, the former president has frequently drawn comparisons between himself and anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela, claiming that he and his companies have been singled out by federal and state prosecutors for political motives.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted a poll in March that found that, despite Biden’s past strong support and acceptance among Black Democrats, 45% of Black Americans disapproved of the way he is managing his role as president. A little over half expressed approval.
In his previous address, Biden stressed that senior Republicans oppose abortion rights and increased voting access, but he did not specifically reference Trump, “There are real threats we face.”
Biden remarked, “There are more extreme voices out there who simply don’t want to see people of color in the future of our country.”
The brother of George Floyd, Terrence Floyd, stated that hearing Biden promise to continue pushing for improvements in his brother’s honor meant a lot.
“For him to still be adamant on passing that bill, I appreciate it,” he said. “He’s got the Floyd family behind him.”
In 2021, the measure was approved by the Democratic-controlled House, but it was blocked by Republicans in the Senate.
There were plenty of other excited people in the throng. As the president neared the platform in a White House auditorium that was streamed live, about half of the crowd rose and cheered.
A week of visits by government officials and other notable local and national figures culminated with Biden’s virtual speech. Last year, Vice President Kamala Harris gave a keynote speech at the gathering.
Elaine Duval, a resident of New York City, stated that she believes the president is sincere when he tries to win over Black people “think that he has gotten the praise and merit that he deserves.” However, she said that Biden had a chance to speak about Palestinian suffering during Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which he had overlooked.
“Oppression of any people anywhere is oppression of humanity,” Duval stated. “And Black people, the Black race, we have been used to oppression and subjugation. I wish he had mentioned that because they are our kinfolk. He should bring the power of the presidency to bear upon that.”
Biden has often encountered demonstrators criticizing his administration’s handling of the Gaza War while touring the nation in support of his reelection.
In his introduction of Biden, Sharpton—who has been hosting frequent gatherings of civil rights leaders at the White House to discuss issues impacting African Americans—recounted his years of involvement with the National Action Network.
“I give that background, so people won’t think he’s just doing his viral speech to get votes,” Sharpton noted.
He took the opportunity to assail his opponent for the upcoming election by stating “There are those that want our voters, that want to take us for granted and show us some gold sneakers and other foolishness.”
“We want to know about concrete things,” Sharpton said.
Franklin Malone, a member of the Washington branch of NAN, expressed that he would have rather to hear Biden talk more about issues other than marijuana offenders, such as the imprisonment rates in the Black community.
“We can press for what we need. But at least he’s on the right track,” Malone remarked. “Sometimes a half a chicken is better than no chicken at all.”
Malone noted that, contrary to Trump’s suggestion, Biden didn’t sound like a politician who takes the Black vote for granted.
By urging the black community to place their vote and trust in the Biden administration, Malone stated “The president is in a position to empower us to empower him.” The NAN representative concluded his remarks by stating, “He needs our vote. We need him.”
