The Black Ballot Episode 8: Impressionable Politics
Democratic presidential primary hopeful Jesse Jackson (L) raising hands in victory gesture w. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan during a campaign rally. (Photo by Cynthia Johnson/Getty Images)
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ewsOne is back with Episode 8 of The Black Ballot, an exclusive new multi-episodic docuseries exploring the history of African Americans voting.
Continuing its in-depth exploration of African American voting and its impact on U.S. politics, this episode focuses on the Ronald Reagan era. It was a time of political and economic shifts with profound effects on Black communities. These changes reshaped civil rights, economic justice, and activism in the 1980s.
Reaganomics and its consequences
Episode 8 begins by examining the impact of Reaganomics, Ronald Reagan’s economic policy that promised prosperity through tax cuts for the wealthy. The benefits, however, never reached Black communities. Instead, poverty rates in Black neighborhoods exceeded 30% while the crack epidemic wreaked havoc. Reagan’s policies left Black Americans facing increasing economic struggles.
Don Lemon shares how, as a young man, he was initially captivated by Reagan’s celebrity appeal: “I remember my freshman year in high school watching the inauguration… And then I just got caught up in the pageantry of it all.” However, like many, he soon realized how harmful Reagan’s policies were to Black Americans.
The AIDS crisis and political inaction
The episode also covers the Reagan administration’s response to the AIDS epidemic. This disproportionately affected Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Reagan’s failure to act worsened the crisis, allowing it to spread unchecked. The episode highlights how these communities were left to deal with the consequences of the government’s inaction, further emphasizing the disconnect between Reagan’s image and the reality of his policies.
Jesse Jackson’s campaign for change
Despite these challenges, the 1980s also saw moments of hope. The episode highlights Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign, which inspired many African Americans. Jackson’s message of inclusion and justice energized Black voters and reminded them of their political power. His campaign provided a strong contrast to Reagan’s conservative policies and ignited a renewed sense of engagement within Black communities.
Throughout the episode, guest commentators like Dr. Ben Chavis, Brittney Cunningham, and Samson Styles provide insight into how Reagan’s presidency influenced Black political consciousness and activism.
Episode 8 of The Black Ballot sheds light on the complicated legacy of the Reagan years and its lasting impact on Black communities, capturing the challenges and opportunities of this pivotal period.
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