By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
San Diego Voice & Viewpoint 2024 Black Voter Series
Pizza, wine, and politics were on the agenda last night at San Diego’s Black and African Women Rise Club’s watch party for the 2024 Presidential Debate.
“She has exceeded my expectations, she has reminded him of all the things that he [Former President Donald Trump] didn’t do, that he doesn’t know how to do—I’m just so happy,” said Alyce Pipkin-Allen.
Pipkin-Allen is the founder and co-president of the San Diego County Black and African Women Rise (BAWR), a chartered democratic club in San Diego County, focused on the legislative priorities of Black women. The watch party was held at a private residence in Downtown San Diego.
“I love the way she just comes out and says it like it is,” said Gloria James, a member of BAWR.
It’s no secret that for many Black women, including the ones in BAWR, Kamala Harris’ entry into the 2024 presidential race has ignited a wave of energy and enthusiasm into this election cycle. While early polling indicates that Harris is likely to secure the Black vote by a wide margin, these queens were still eager to see how Harris would fare against Trump in a debate.
Hosted in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, Harris’ background as a prosecutor was on full display during Tuesday night’s debate as she slammed Trump’s criminal background, while also repeatedly challenging his views on immigration, abortion, and the economy.
“That’s rich coming from someone who has been prosecuted for national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, has been liable for sexual assault and his next big court appearance is in November at his own criminal sentencing”, said Harris.
“Go girl, you are hitting it right on the head, don’t back up, don’t let him get away with anything,” said Dee Sanford.
In late May, Trump became the first US President to be charged as a felon, charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Cynthia Raimo, a resident of San Diego for 50 years and member of BAWR, concurs with Harris on his problematic record.
“I don’t understand how the Republican Party would even put a criminal to run for office. And I’m not even sure why we, the US America, could even allow somebody with a record to even work for President, you know?” said Raimo, during the watch party.
Immigration
Harris’ scrutiny over Trump’s criminal record came in response to Trump’s intense focus on immigration throughout the debate and how it has led to higher crime rates throughout the country.
As the two candidates delved into the contentious issue of immigration, the room fell silent as the women sat glued to the TV—with one member remarking, “Oh this is an important one.”
“They’ve destroyed the fabric of our country. Millions of people let in and all over the world, crime is down all over the world, except here. Crime here is up and through the roof,” said Trump. “We have a new form of crime. It’s called migrant crime.”
Based on live fact checking throughout the debate from NBC, the latest FBI’s Uniform Crime Report shows violent crime is down by 15.2% in 2024 in compared to 2023, murder rate has fallen by 26.4%, reported rapes decreased by 25.7%, robberies fell by 17.8%, aggravated assault fell by 12.5%.
The women nodded in approval as Harris laid out her record as a prosecutor. “ I am the only person on the stage who has prosecuted transnational criminal organizations,” she said, while criticizing Trump for killing what would have been the largest nonpartisan immigration bill in the country.
“Correct the facts, correct the facts,” said Dr. Abena Bradford.
Abortion
Meanwhile, many eyes were also on how the two candidates would respond to topics related to abortion and maternal health. According to Black female voters, more than a quarter describe abortion as their top issue going into this election based on a poll conducted in March of this year by KFF, a health policy research firm.
When asked during the debate what her top issue is in this election, Gloria James says,
“For me basically, my biggest concern would be the healthcare field, Medicare, women’s rights,” said James, who emphasized that overall it comes down to “just human rights, period.”
On the topic of reproductive rights, Harris pledged to reinstate Roe v. Wade protections, while Trump boasted about overturning it and doubled down on his views about six week abortion bans.
Harris described the impact the overturn has had on women’s reproductive rights throughout the country, citing his appointments of three members of the United States Supreme Court, which eventually led to the 2020 overturn of Roe V. Wade.
“Now in over 20 states there are Trump abortion bans, which make it criminal for a doctor or nurse to provide health care. In one state, it provides prison for life. Trump abortion bans make no exception, even for rape and incest,”
In appealing to voters with religious reservations towards abortion, Harris says, “one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that the government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling a woman what to do with her body,” said Harris.
Trump clarified that he did believe in abortion exceptions when it comes to rape, incest, and threats against the mother’s life, but went on a fabricated attack against Harris’ VP pick Tim Walz.
“Her vice presidential pick says abortion in the ninth month is absolutely fine. ‘Execution after birth.’ It’s execution, no longer abortion, because the baby is born,’ Trump argued.
Several women shook their heads as Trump went on about his claims of baby executions.
ABC debate moderator, Linsey Davis shut down his claims immediately. “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill the baby after it is born.”
Laughter roared throughout the room.
AP fact checking also reveals that Walz has never said he supports executing babies after birth. Infanticide is criminalized in every state, and no state has passed a law that allows killing a baby after birth.
The Economy
Black voters are also specifically concerned about issues regarding the economy. Inflation is high, rental prices are high—groceries, gas, utilities, child care—every day more Americans are struggling to keep up with their cost of living.
“When it comes to the economy, do you think Americans are better off than they were four years ago,?” asked ABC moderator David Muir.
Harris did not answer the question directly, but did assert that she has a plan to build what she calls an “opportunity economy,” as president, which includes a child credit tax of up to $6,000 to support young families, and a $50,000 tax deduction for start up small businesses.
Meanwhile Trump discussed his economic proposal to impose tariffs on foreign imports around 20% and 60% for China imports. Harris argued this would equate to a “Trump sales tax” that would equate to Americans having to pay more money on everyday goods.
It was apparent by their reactions throughout the evening that the women of BAWR resonated with Harris’ debate performance. A palpable sense of pride, determination, and relief filled the room when the debate concluded, as one attendee chanted, “We’re not going back.”
