The African Freedom Congress
(I've posted this idea before but I might as well share it again)
- First, it's not strange or unethical for ethnic groups to have their own party vehicles for their political interests. African-Americans are actually an ethnic group within the United States that has been formed by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and shaped by the American Apartheid (Jim Crow). In other countries, ethnic groups have their own parties. In the UK, there's the Scottish Nationalist Party. In Canada, there's the Parti Quebecois. In India, there's the Sikh political party of SAD.
These ethnic groups have their own political parties because they recognize that their interests are unique and distinct. Moreover, their ability to obtain public goods and services are harmed by joining other political parties. Although African-Americans are a key voting bloc for the Democrats, very few of our concerns are addressed. Even when the US President IS a self-identified African-American (Barack Obama). We need a political party which will cater to our interests in order to gain what is ours!
Let's construct the hypothetical African-American political party.
Goals should be simple, for now
: Increased political autonomy for African-Americans. Stronger social safety net to address poor socio-economic conditions geared towards Black people. Reparations for stolen land, labour and wealth. Increased connections with the African diaspora and African continent. Entice Black people to become the majority of states such as South Carolina, Mississippi and Georgia via migration.
The party should operate solely in municipal, gubernatorial and congressional elections.
Why not Presidential elections?
We can't win. African Americans are 13 per cent of the US population and will rise to 15 per cent by mid-century. What we can do is our political leverage in an increasingly polarizing US to move at least one major political party towards us.
Why municipal elections?
We are the demographic majority in major cities.
Why gubernatorial elections?
To protect our gains in the pockets of black political autonomy located in cities. To act as a spoiler vote similar to how we'd function during Presidential elections.
Why congressional elections?
To incentivize more legislation which will directly benefit us. They (at least one party) will need our votes in order to pass bills.
