Vice President Kamala Harris visited a Black church in Georgia on the 20th to encourage voting in this crucial Southern state, according to The Washington Post.
During a service at a Black church in Stonecrest, Georgia, Harris told the congregation, “At this moment, our country is at a crossroads, and where we go is up to us. “She added that people must choose between chaos, fear, and hatred and the nation of freedom, compassion, and justice that she envisions.
She went on to say that the greatest aspect of living in a democracy is that the people hold the power to answer that question, encouraging everyone to respond through their words, actions, and votes.
With the presidential election set for November 5, Harris is locked in a tight race against Republican candidate Donald Trump. She is betting that strong turnout among Black voters, a key Democratic demographic, will give her the edge.
Harris’s campaign actively promotes the “Souls to the Polls” push, encouraging Black churchgoers to vote by providing transportation to early voting sites after Sunday services.
Later that day, at another Black church in Jonesboro, Stevie Wonder performed a birthday song for her as she celebrated her 60th birthday. After Wonder finished singing, Harris was moved by the gesture, and her voice choked with emotion, saying, “I love you so much.” Wonder smiled and responded, “Don’t cry,” before emphasizing to the crowd how important voting is, adding, “We’re going to make the difference between yesterday and tomorrow.”
Historically, Black churches have served as a cornerstone of the civil rights movement and political organization for Black Americans. However, like many religious institutions, Black churches have seen a decline in membership in recent years, diminishing the effectiveness of election campaigns conducted through these institutions. According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of Black Protestants who attend church at least once a month decreased from 61% in 2019 to 46% in 2022.
Harris also faces challenges with some Black voters, particularly Black men, who feel frustrated by economic hardships from inflation and disappointed with the Biden administration’s efforts on criminal justice reform and police misconduct. Some critics argue that Harris has prioritized issues related to immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community over the needs of Black voters.
While Harris appeals to Black Christian voters, she has not placed as much emphasis on her faith as other political leaders like President Joe Biden or former President Barack Obama. As a Baptist with influences from her mother’s Indian heritage and married to a Jewish man, Harris’s religious background adds complexity to her campaign.
On the same day, Tim Walz, the vice presidential candidate and Minnesota governor, visited a church in Michigan while his wife, Gwen, attended a service in Las Vegas, Nevada. This underscored the campaign for voter engagement in key battleground states.
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