African american Quote by Van Jones
““what do African Americans get in return for our loyalty? Very little. Democrats do not champion black causes with the same passion that Republicans champion issues that are dear to white evangelical voters. In fact, some Democrats seem terrified to advance any agenda that would explicitly serve the African American community. When state legislatures pass bills that might suppress black votes, mainstream women’s organizations and environmental organizations should be grabbing their legal briefcases and sprinting past lawyers from the NAACP, trying to get into court to defend black access to the ballot box. After all, we are their indispensable voters, without whom””
About This Quote
Source Opinion piece: “The Black Vote and Political Priorities”, 2023
The speaker argues that African Americans receive little political payoff for loyalty, noting Democrats' lack of passion compared to Republicans' focus on white evangelical issues, and urges activist groups to defend voting rights.
In simple terms: Black voters feel under‑served and need stronger advocacy.
Key Takeaway
Advocate fiercely for voting rights.
Themes
politics
racial equity
activism
Mood
urgent
determined
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- community organizing
- legal advocacy
- grassroots campaigns
Key Concepts
voter suppression
party loyalty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can allies effectively support Black voters?
- What concrete actions can protect ballot access?
A Different Perspective
Political realities are complex; not all parties act uniformly.
![“If [Donald] Trump throws 20 million off of health care, that's going to be - if he handles this badly - and it's very hard to handle it right, then that's a - a huge advantage in the mid-terms for us.” quote by Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4d/van-jones-984_advantage_if-donald-trump-throws-20-million-off-of_12893.jpg)
![“I learned more in those six months [ in the White House] than in the prior six years. I don't think that anybody who has had the privilege to serve the country at that level should walk out and behave like a crybaby. And I plan to continue to serve the country in other capacities.” quote by Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3dc/van-jones-984_behave_i-learned-more-in-those-six-months-in-th_27061.jpg)
![“[Donald Trump] is a horrible human being, but he ain't worse than Bull Connor. Fannie Lou loved Bull Connor and beat Bull Connor because she loved him.” quote by Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/def/van-jones-984_beats_donald-trump-is-a-horrible-human-being-b_54460.jpg)
