Why Black Women Vote

Renita J. Weems discusses why—due to a combination of resilience, pragmatism, and strategic instinct—Black women vote at the highest rates of any demographic group in the United States.

If political participation is the heart of American democracy, then black women are its lifeblood.

Each election cycle, we donate to campaigns, organize voter registration drives, canvas neighborhoods, drive citizens to the polls, and vote at the highest rates of any demographic group.

We watch as experts scratch their heads trying to explain why black women, who are at the bottom of economic, social and health indicators and endure rampant voter suppression, remain one of the largest and most politically active demographics of voters. Are black women hopelessly optimistic or pitifully naïve? Neither. Black women are resilient, pragmatic, aspirational and strategic.

The above excerpt was originally published in InsideSources. Click here to view the full article.

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