There are a selection of various paths to the Oval Workplace for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump this November. However virtually all of these paths require successful over part of the American inhabitants whose voices are too usually ignored: Black ladies.
That’s the takeaway from a brand new MSNBC primetime particular from Symone Sanders Townsend and Melissa Murray, who set out on a cross nation journey to listen to these voters’ considerations in their very own phrases. And the duo discovered that whereas most Black ladies are more likely to tick the field for Harris, that doesn’t essentially imply they’ll be within the Democratic camp the following time round—particularly since Trump possible wouldn’t be on the 2028 poll.
Premiering on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC and Peacock, Black Girls in America: The Highway to 2024 is full of moments that counter prevailing narratives about what Black ladies are looking for from Washington, D.C. Whereas Townsend and Sanders spoke with outstanding figures like actress Kerry Washington, lawyer Sherrilyn Ifill, and NAACP Authorized Protection Fund president Janai Nelson—each of whom are featured in an unique clip that TVNewser is premiering—additionally they ventured into communities that aren’t at all times glimpsed on-camera.
TVNewser requested Townsend and Sanders to share a few of what they discovered throughout their journey throughout America, from the gender hole that’s been seen in polls to the frequent themes that may be glimpsed in a divided nation.
Watch an unique clip from Black Girls in America: The Highway to 2024:
(This interview has been edited for size and readability)
Ought to Harris win what is going to it imply for America to see the primary Black girl sworn into the presidency on Inauguration Day?
Symone Sanders Townsend: Clearly will probably be historic, as a result of a girl would have simply damaged the glass ceiling and a girl of colour. However for the voters that we talked to—significantly a number of the Black millennial ladies—my takeaway was that they have been heartened by the historical past that was going to be made, nevertheless it wasn’t historical past that might be pushing them to the poll field. The historic nature of her candidacy isn’t, for lack of a greater time period, sufficient for them.
Frankly, that’s one thing I feel the Harris marketing campaign realizes, and the vice chairman herself, as a result of they’re not emphasizing the historic nature of her candidacy. She is making a distinct pitch and given the conversations we’ve had throughout the nation, I feel that pitch is what’s going going to resonate with people. However clearly, will probably be historic if she wins and as soon as she is inaugurated. And I do suppose that when ladies are on the desk, issues change.