Blacks did not turn up in their numbers for Mrs. Clinton

Nov 10, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Many of us in the West Indian community do not realize the importance of the Trump victory for Black people in the US. I know from where I live in New York, many West Indians did not go out to vote. Many of us went in record numbers to vote for Barack Obama because we wanted a Black President. There was nothing wrong with that. In fact everything was right about that. But we stayed home when the fight was between two white candidates. This was a crucial mistake. I believe Mrs. Clinton lost because non-white voters did not go out in record numbers as they did for Barack Obama.
I am not concerned with Asian and Hispanics but how my own people voted. I know at least seven West Indians who told me that it is a fight between two whites and that is of no concern to them. This was a mistake that will cost Black people dearly. Mrs. Clinton would have continued the policies of Barack Obama. The Clinton family is a friend to Black people. Look at the support she got from Jay-z and Beyonce. Yet Blacks did not go out in their numbers. I admit Blacks do not see her as a champion of the working people as they do with Obama but much to the surprise of many who read this letter, she is.
What I am afraid of is that we Black people may be going back into our shells as we did many moons ago in the US until Obama came into power. With Obama gone, the average Black will lose interest in the US presidential race. This is an insult to Black people after all that Obama and his wife have taught us. The rise to power of a Black president was the final chapter in the struggle of Black people for their rightful place in the US. Oprah Winfrey and Jessie Jackson cried when Obama gave his victory speech. They didn’t cry for Obama. The cried for what the Obama presidency symbolized – the final acceptance of Blacks by the US. Now we are poised to let ourselves down and the Obamas too. I am so deeply worried about this new attitude to America by Black people. I have migrated here since I was a child. I campaigned for Obama and Mrs. Clinton but did I waste my time? Only time will tell
Margaret Forsyth- Inniss

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