Editorial

Thanksgiving is a special holiday when families gather to celebrate their good fortune. This practice acknowledges the safe arrival of the Pilgrims in Plymouth in 1620. But this year will be different. The Covid-19 pandemic prevents groups of people, even relatives, from assembling too closely.

The Black voter turnout dropped in the 2016 presidential election to 59.6%. This was 7 points lower than the rate of 66.6% four years earlier in 2012. Analysts have concluded that this drop enabled Trump to win four years ago. Some have also concluded that the drop resulted from the loss of Black male voters who had been tricked by digital ads that caused them to lose support for Hillary Clinton.

Disparate views on patriotism will continue to divide Blacks and Trumpites, even while a sense of patriotism increases the relationship between Blacks and President Biden. In an earlier statement Biden said “I think about what it takes for a Black person to love America. That is a deep love for this country that has for far too long never been recognized.”

This was an unfortunate year to propose the change because Trump had been suggesting irregularities in the election system. Many voters were understandably skittish.

Blacks turned out for Biden in massive numbers in November. This solid vote was critical in many states, and Trump was able to tally only 71 million votes, primarily from disgruntled whites.

Now that the election is over, it should be clear even to rabid conservatives that Black voters will continually oppose their vision of establishing an authoritarian regime in America. The Black political bloc is committed to the principles that “no one is above the law” and “every citizen has the right to vote.” Civil rights activists must be prepared to counter the political fusillade that is sure to come in an attempt to change these Black values. Even while that battle is underway, civil rights activists will also have to consider the implications of the nation’s racial caste system that were pointed out by Isabel Wilkerson’s new book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”

Trump’s many defaults should be enough to induce even thoughtful stalwart supporters to lose confidence in his leadership. But surprisingly, the Trump base is still substantial. What benefit do they perceive from his leadership?

While the police reform proposals are reasonable and fair, there will likely be some folks who don’t think so. The ultimate resolution will require sustained support from the electorate.

Recently departed former Roxbury residents made their mark on the Boston community.

The decision for Blacks is straightforward: There should be a strong vote for Biden-Harris.

The presidential election has become more than the determination of who will occupy the White House for the next four years. For some people, Donald Trump’s performance in the recent debate was an intolerable embarrassment. Everyone knows that Trump is reluctant to adhere to the imposition of anyone’s rules.

Past election results indicate that Black women have reliably voted overwhelmingly for the Democratic candidate for president. This time, Black men must vote en masse and not be conned or misled. The incumbent is an enemy, posing as a friend.