DETROIT — William Majors, 59, plans to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in November’s presidential election.
But he is cautious about his expectations about what will happen if Harris takes over the White House.
“She’s not going to give me 40 acres and a mule like President Obama should have done,” Majors said after casting his vote Tuesday at Detroit’s Northwest Activities Center.
“She’s not going to paint the White House black.”
“I want her to make a difference for everybody,” Majors said.
“But let’s not forget the Black community.”
In 2008, Barack Obama became the first black president of the United States.
In 2024, Kamala Harris is aiming to become the first woman to become president and the first Black woman to sit in the Oval Office.
The debate about whether Harris is black, or black enough, continues to take place quietly within the black community.
Former President Donald Trump spoke out loud the quiet part last week at the National Association of Black Journalists’ annual conference.
“She’s always just been promoting her Indian ancestry and her Indian ancestry,” Trump said.
“I didn’t know she was black until a few years ago when she became black, and now she wants to be known as black, so I don’t know if she’s Indian or black.”
Majors said he wasn’t worried about that.
“Both my son and daughter gave birth to biracial children,” said Majors, who is Black.
“I judge you by your character.”
Julisa Travis, 34, said she is excited to vote for Harris and the possibility of a Black woman becoming president.
“Malcolm X said that black women are the most neglected and least protected group,” Travis said.
“So to have a woman of my race in a position of power means a lot.”
As Travis finished voting in the Michigan primary, Harris had just announced Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
Rather than inspiring a response, her choice created homework.
“I don’t know anything about him so I don’t want to give any false information,” Travis said.
“I have to look at his policies and what he’s doing as governor. Where is he as governor?”
The Trump campaign has been working to win the support of black voters.
Michigan pollster Ed Sarpollas told The Washington Post that black men in 2024 will become “Reagan Democrats” because of their bipartisan support for Trump.
To counter this underlying trend, Harris supporters are reaching out to black men in their networks to secure their support.
“I don’t think Trump is going to get that many black votes,” said Laura Simone, 39, who voted at a Detroit church.
“It’s because of his rhetoric and his soft lip.”
“On the other hand, we have the opportunity to elect someone who has actually read the book,” she added, referring to Harris.
But Travis sees Trump supporters among black men, especially online.
“I’ve seen black men online being very disrespectful towards Harris,” Travis said.
“They’re saying things like, ‘We don’t need a black woman to be president.’
“I think it’s a very important thing for the Democratic Party to be able to support Harris,” said Mitch Clayton, 52, who is part of the “Holy Nine” committee of black Greek voters urging people to vote for Harris.
Clayton is a brother of Omega Psi Phi.
“The other day I registered six felons. [to vote]” said Clayton.
“I just want to tell people, if he can run as a felon, you can vote as a felon.”
Clayton doesn’t see a problem with Harris being biracial – instead, he says it’s a sign of the times.
“America is changing,” Clayton said.
“It’s not the America of old. It’s going to be a real melting pot. As you may have noticed, she’s mixed race. So was Obama. Mixed race is a new thing.”
