From: Praise Philly/RNBPhilly
As election day draws near, the anticipation of whether the black community will show out in record number increases. Back in 2008, black Americans set record numbers as they exercised their right to vote during the historical election. Although the black community as a whole participated during the election, studies show black men vote at lower rates than other ethnic groups.
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According to statistics presented by Black Christian News, “another 70,000 votes would have been cast in Georgia’s 2008 general election if black men voted at the same rate as black women.” Information collected by the United States Census Bureau and The Georgia Secretary of State exemplify the division among black men:
- Only 63 percent of eligible black men are registered to vote in GA, in comparison to the 76 percent of black women and 75 percent of whites registered to vote
- Of those registered to vote, 70 percent of black men cast a vote during the 2008 general election: 80 percent of black women, 78 percent of white women, and 76 percent of white men cast their votes during the previous presidential election
While numbers have show black women come to the polls, many question the reasons why black men opt not to vote during presidential elections. Remembering the struggle of his ancestors who lost their lives fighting for Black Americans to vote, Georgia resident Rod Harris explains his reasoning for voting, “it’s my duty as an African American male to vote, to participate.”
MUST SEE: Election 2012: Voter ID Laws