The focus should not just be on Black women in Alabama, but also Black women nationally. The white women around the country who cheered Black women on now need to open their doors and embrace the Sojourner Truth observation that “Ain’t I A Woman.” Too many women’s organizations are white women’s organizations. Don’t these women think they can learn a thing or two from the amazing way Black women organize, mobilize, and step up?
White women are often in the unique position to hook Black women up, in politics and in the workplace, but they don’t offer the hook up as often as they should because it is challenging for them to step outside their comfort zone and embrace diversity. But when folk step out of their comfort zone, look at the results! Thanks to Black women, among others, Doug Jones is the unlikely winner of this Senate contest.
I’m cognizant of the fact that Black women weren’t the sole reason for the Jones victory. It is especially exciting to see young people reject Roy Moore. Millennials are far less partisan than their elders are. You can’t say they cross party lines because many of them have no party affiliation. But like Black women, young people in Alabama thronged to the polls to elect Jones. Their participation makes a strong case for generational inclusion when political strategies are being developed.
In any case, it is heartening to see Black women being thanked for doing what we always do—the work. I don’t just want thanks, I also want the hookup. Those white folks who are thanking Black women might also send a contribution to Higher Heights (https://www.higherheightsforamerica.org), a Black women’s PAC named after Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Or, folks can send contributions to the Black Women’s Roundtable (https://ncbcp.org/programs/bwr/policy), which is part of the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation. It is great to express gratitude, but it is even better to put your money where your mouth is.
Black women have always had to assert our place in the mainstream, and we have too often been ignored by our natural allies. And we still come through in a crunch. Those who are thanking us ought also to support us. They need to hook Black women up!
(Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist.)
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