There are 99 reasons there’s a generational gap between young Black voters and their parents – and former Vice President Joe Biden is one of them. Young Black voters have been trying to dissuade their parents from voting for Biden in favor of more progressive Democratic candidates, according to a recent New York Times article.
After the third Democratic debate held at Texas Southern University (TSU) – a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) – the Times interviewed several young Black students who’ve been trying to convert their parents and grandparents.
Villian Killmonger’s famous line from “Black Panther” was even invoked to describe young Black people’s sentiment towards their parents’ support of Biden. “Is this your king,” they wonder.
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Samantha Wiliams, 19, is one example. She said Biden doesn’t mirror her interests, but her dad is a big Biden supporter.
“Me and my dad have the debate all the time … We want a candidate that reflects us and what the world is going to look like when we run. But he says what we call ‘woke’ is really just sensitive,” Williams told the Times.
Darren Black, 22, is another Biden-detractor. While he acknowledged Biden’s importance in the Obama Administration, he said his generation has a unique point of view.
“But the younger generation, we’ve seen mass shootings, we’re seeing more police brutality — we’re looking at different things,” Black said, adding that older Black were “going to ride” for Biden because of his history.
While some young adults have said their efforts have been unsuccessful, others have made leeway with their older family members. The 2020 Election will reveal just how much.
