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If the Democrats don’t win, we all lose

Melvin B. Miller

The party of the president normally loses some congressional House seats in the midterm election, so there is no reason for Black citizens to become distraught over what seems to be a normal function of the American democracy. Nonetheless, it is timely for Blacks to consider strategies for Democrats to remain in the winning column for impending elections. The rationale for this effort is to support our president. Blacks’ criticism of Biden’s handling of the Haitian crisis at the border may not have been well-thought-out.

Indeed, Blacks would oppose a president who demonstrates little interest in the welfare of the country’s working-class citizens. That is not a frailty that impairs enthusiasm of Republicans for their leader. The illusion of presidential concern seems to satisfy most Republicans. Conversely, Democrats have a problem in not making Biden appear to be weak because of this profound human empathy.

A major issue for Trump was building a fence to close the southern border. In the recent handling of border entry by the Haitians, the Black posture seemed to be that Rule 42 should not be applied to turn them away, and those who had left Haiti for Chile and Brazil years ago should be treated as refugees seeking asylum from Haiti. According to a New York Times poll report, 34% of Democrats and 73% of Independents do not approve the administration’s southern border policy.

No one can criticize Haitians or anyone else for pursuing whatever course of action they believe is necessary for their survival. Understandably, the COVID pandemic has caused great social disorder, and support for President Biden is critical for a successful outcome.