The late journalist Jimmy Breslin used to say that race is behind ever issue facing New York City.
Breslin's statement is even more relevant today regarding America’s presidential election.
The Biden campaign has already turned down the request for a fourth debate before the ballots go out. His staff knows that keeping Biden in the basement for as long as possible cuts down on his news-making gaffes.
A debate about the future of the black community would force Biden's campaign to accept the debate.
The shocking video of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer forced us to reexamine the problems that the black community faces in America every day.
They include:
— COVID, which is more deadly on blacks because of their higher rates of pre-existing conditions;
—Education, which has failed a generation of black children and their families;
—Homicide, which serves a 'devastating plague' on black communities. (From Jan. 1, 2010 through July 8 of this year) Blacks were victims in 4,374 of the city's murders, according to figures provided by the Chicago Police Department.
The good news is that despite these negatives, there is one redeeming bright side to the American story: America has had a black president.
The issue?
How do we continue this valiant first step?
The answer: by actually addressing the serious problems that face Blacks today with a debate focusing on these important issues.
The dirty little secret that no one is addressing is this — If Biden, who, as vice president, did not fix these problems in eight years, there is no guarantee that either he, or the running mate (Black or white) he ultimately chooses, will be able to do so in the future.
A presidential debate addressing this would at least put this issue front and center for all to consider.
The debate should be held in south central Chicago at a local school and scheduled in the next three weeks — before many states start voting by mail.
This has to happen now. It’s a must if we are truly serious about this issue.
Each campaign should nominate 10 journalists to ask questions. They should not be Beltway nor traditional mainstream types. Rather, these should be reporters and news writers who have expertise on this topic. From those nominated, four would be chosen (Trump would pick two from the Biden list and Biden would select two from the Trump list.)
As one could see it, it would be extremely hard for the Biden campaign to turn down a debate focusing on the Black community, even though (as reported by The New York Times) the Biden campaign is constantly worried about him participating in normal campaign activity. ( The New York Times Aug. 3, 2020)
A "Black Lives Matter Debate" will allow everyone to see both candidates in their campaign milieu and provide all Americans an opportunity to see which candidate can best address the needs facing the Black community and America. And it would give Trump the opportunity to explain what he has done for the black community.
Would such a forum produce more of Biden gaffes, like these?
—"What you all know but most people don't know, unlike the African American community with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community with incredibly different attitudes about different things." (See this NPR report.)
—"Well I tell you what, If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black." (Read the Politico account.)
This debate will also allow the Trump campaign to respond to attacks regarding his past statements.
A Black Lives Matter campaign could help begin the healing process and to get Americans to see their candidates in a very real discussion regarding race.
Dr. John Tantillo is a marketing and branding expert, known as The Marketing Doctor. JT utilizes his doctoral skills in applied research psychology to analyze the issues and personalities of the day utilizing his marketing and branding lens. This provides his readers with additional insight needed to understand the "new normal" in politics, news, and culture. Dr. Tantillo is the OpEd writer for Political Vanguard. He is the author of "People Buy Brands, Not Companies," and the Udemy course "Go Brand Yourself!" Dr. Tantillo is also the host of the popular podcast BrandTalkk, another way to talk heard and seen on YouTube.You can follow him on Twitter @marketingdoctor and at Facebook.com/dr.johntantillo. Read Dr. John Tantillo's Reports — More Here.
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