A Serious Question Concerning Organizing African-American Voters

[Sporadicus]

I have given consideration to addressing the African-American community where I live regarding the elections. I would appreciate any advice in this regard, especially from those who have participated in similar efforts themselves. My main concern is to avoid the appearance of patronizing behavior.

[JI7]

1. get together with a few african americans in the area

and work with them as a group in organizing. since they know more about the area they would provide better advice. and you would also be working together as a team and get to know a few people very well from the area giving you a better understand of how things are there.

[Blackrain]

2. Make contact with the local ministers

The best thing you can do is start with the local ministers. I would go to the local churches. After that you're set. Trust me I know;)

[newyawker99]

7. Hi Blackrain!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ugarte]

3. Contact your local Democratic Party, ask how you can help

If they're not helpful, call the NAACP, AME churches and see where they need volunteers.

[AP]

4. What's patronizing about getting people to vote Dem?

Take a lesson from John Edwards. At the Albuquerque debate he was asked a question about race. He said that the town he grew up in is not 50% latino. It wasn't that way when he grew up. But the latinos who move there are moving there for exactly the same reason his father moved their 40 years ago -- to make a better life for their families. He said he was running so that those people in that town today have the same opportunites that his father gave him when he went to Robbins, NC.

See what's going on there? Edwards isn't saying that he's walked the same exact road as a latino immigrant side by side. He's saying that he has been on that road at a different time and knows from where it came and knows where it's going. He's saying you don't need to be balck or latino to understand the the core ideas of opportunity and the desire to make your life better and that we should all be rewarded a fair percentage of the wealth we create for society or ideas about America that we all share.

[Sporadicus]

5. The 'Patronizing' Concern

is that people may wonder why someone from outside their community has come to tell them what they already know. I just don't want to give the appearance of speaking down to them - a concern I have addressing any crowd of people.

If I can count on a good turnout among the African-American community, then I consider that work already done. I have no doubt as to what party they'll choose - just want to get out the vote!

[fortyfeetunder]

6. Not only churches

but professional organizations, and community groups. Not all Blacks go to church....