DNC Speech Schedule Snubs? Black People Missing From List Of Names
MIA At DNC: Black Folks We’d Still Like To See Speak At The Democratic National Convention
Source: Stacy Revere / Getty
1. Stacey Abrams
Perhaps the most notable omission from the list of DNC speakers is Stacey Abrams, a woman who for months was rumored to be Biden’s top choice for his vice-presidential running mate. The two of them frequently made veiled references to their potential political union … until they didn’t.
But considering how Abrams was dubbed a rising star by Democratic leaders and even delivered a rebuttal to Trump’s State of the Union address on behalf of the Democrats, her exclusion from the slate of DNC speakers was conspicuous at worst and unfortunate at best.
Out of everybody missing from the DNC, Abrams’ exclusion feels the most like a snub.
2. Black Lives Matter founders (from left: Patrice Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi)
Let’s be real. Black Lives Matter, the phrase, at least, is as ubiquitous as it’s ever been; especially following the police killing of George Floyd. The movement for Black lives has never been as popular as it is right now heading into the Democratic National Convention. Democrats, in particular, have made a noted commitment to seemingly incorporating those three vital words into their everyday lexicon.
So it was strange to see that none of the three women who founded the booming Black Lives Matter movement were scheduled to speak at this year’s DNC, which is serving as a prelude to perhaps the most consequential election in modern history.
To be sure, Patrice Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi have all supported candidates for president who are not named Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. However, the gesture of extending some speaking time to the BLM founders at the DNC could result in some additional electoral dividends in November.
3. Ben Crump
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been at the forefront of what seems like a nonstop flow of case centered on police violence against Black people, something that helped prompt America to the precipice of an all-out racial reckoning. It is through work like his with the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor cases that helped prompt both the House and Senate to draft legislation to reform police departments, which has become a major political issue across the country.
Who better to address that topic in layman’s terms to voters during such a consequential time in American history? Not to mention, Biden has a little bit of work to do with shoring up his civil rights credentials. Crump’s inclusion at the DNC could address all of that and then some with a national audience that he deserves.
4. LeBron James
If Democrats are looking to attract more Black male voters — and they are — then including LeBron James is a no-brainer. The NBA superstar has been increasingly vocal when it comes to politics and social justice and recently launched a nonprofit organization to address Black voter suppression and teamed up with Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers to set up a voter polling site at Dodgers Stadium.
While many pro athletes shrink away from being seen as a role model, James has embraced it as an increasingly influential figure in both sports and pop culture at large. Not to mention he has exchanged some words with prominent Republicans, including Trump and racist pundit Laura Ingraham.
Considering all of the above, a brief address from “King James” at the DNC could go a long way for Democrats in November.
5. Colin Kaepernick
Like the case being made for LeBron to speak at the DNC, Colin Kaepernick could have a similarly strong effect on Black males, in particular, watching the Democratic National Convention.
The free-agent quarterback who was blacklisted from the NFL over his silent kneeling protest during the national anthem meant to bring attention to police violence against Black people has been vindicated amid the national racial reckoning against the aforementioned brutality. That alone should have made him a prime candidate to speak at the DNC.
Instead, Democrats have chosen to feature speakers who include ex-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a former Republican who is credited for fine-tuning the “Stop And Frisk,” a racial profiling policing tactic that disproportionately targeted Black and brown people and in some cases resulted in the kind of police violence Kaepernick was demonstrating against before he lost his job because of it.
The irony…
6. Rev. Al Sharpton
Hate him or love him, the Rev. Al Sharpton has carved out a legitimate career from his love for Black people. He is the go-to person when it comes to calls for justice in both the racial and social realms, which many times go hand in hand.
Sharpton has also been a central figure in Democratic politics, especially when it comes to candidates running for president who have traditionally sought out a meeting with him at the famed soul food restaurant, Sylvia’s, in Harlem.
He is also an MSNBC pundit and anchor with unlimited influence. While he can be a polarizing figure, Sharpton’s exclusion from the DNC could be a missed opportunity for Democrats.
7. Maxine Waters
What with Trump’s relentless attacks on Black women, in particular, Maxine Waters has been on the receiving end of them far too many times. But she can dish it out with the best of them, and hearing from Auntie Maxine — no matter how many times we already have — could further shore up Democratic support as well as possibly convince women voters on the fence against casting their ballots for a man who has openly spoken in sexist terms about women.
