Doug Jones Owes Black Women More Than a 'Thank You.'
Last night, Doug Jones, a Democratic former prosecutor beat out Republican and sexual predator, Roy Moore in the Senate race for Alabama. This makes Doug Jones the first democratic Senator in two decades. Republicans across the country have taken a stance on their support for Roy Moore in the running, giving the impression that he was a sure proof win. Not so surprising though, look who came to the rescue: Black women.
Black women counted for 98% of the vote for Democratic Candidate Doug Jones. Whereas 63% of white women voted for Roy Moore. They are single handedly the reason Jones won, but why? Why did black women feel the need to fight hard to make sure a sexual predator wasn’t elected into office for a second time? @kdc on twitter explains it best, “Like I don’t think people get that Black women don’t turn out because of some maternal instinct to save everyone. We get usually hit first and worst by oppressive policies, so we are saving ourselves. You just benefit.”
This is very true in the fact that the black community, even with democrats are given the short end of the stick when it comes to policies brought on by new or recurring elected officials. It’s even no secret that the black community was not happy with Obama when he left office because they felt he had not done enough for the community. Let’s not forget that black women counted for 94% of the vote for Hillary Clinton. We always come through, yet we are always overlooked. We have gotten used to getting the short end of the stick and usually expect it, but with such a shocking and fearful year with a surge in racism across the country, I’m not surprised black women in Alabama pulled up and said, “get in loser we’re voting Doug Jones” because we get hit first and hardest. This is also very true in the fact that everyone else benefits from the votes that black women put in based on their fears. Yet, they get little to no attention once their votes get an official in office. It’s a painful cycle of carrying the community on their backs whether the community is doing well or not.
Since Doug Jones victory, social media has lit up with appreciating for black women, but don’t just thank black women. Protect us when we need protection. Respect us when we speak and hear what we have to say. Hire us for the jobs we are qualified to do and pay us what we deserve to be paid. Vote for us when we run for office. Stand up for us when we may not be able to stand up for ourselves. Black women come to the rescue time and time again and I get it, we’re bad ass! Black girl magic all the way, but we are going to need some help from our feminist sisters. Help us be seen and heard.