Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 11-13-20

Editorial/Columns
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No More Free Rides
oe Biden is president.
After what seemed like a never-ending counting process, the Democratic nom- inee was finally announced as the 46th Commander-In- Chief of the United States.
Now, that it's all over (well almost over because Donald Trump still refuses to con- cede), I think it's time that we start compiling a to-do list for President-Elect Biden to stick on the White House re- frigerator, a collection of items pertaining to the Black community that will be a daily reminder of his debt to us.
After all, it was the Black vote that ultimately secured him his current position. If it weren't for the brothers and sisters who stormed the polls and mailed in ballots in cities like Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Atlanta, President-Elect Biden would be back sitting in the basement of his Delaware home sulking about how he blew yet another presidential bid.
In fact, now that I think about, the entire country owes us. Our overwhelming
participation saved this na- tion from four more years of oppression by a first-class bully. Surely, that's worth something right?
For decades Black people have loyally supported the Democratic Party without re- ceiving much of anything in return. After the turnout we displayed in this election that has to change.
Even though I'm glad the days of constantly seeing Trump's petulant, gas-bag- ging on heavy news rotation are coming to an end, thanks to President-Elect Biden’s victory, it doesn't discount the reality that it's time for the Democratic Party and, President-Elect Biden specifically, to start accom- modating us for our efforts. I mean, the obligatory "thank you" doesn't go far when it comes to filling gas tanks and re-uniting families.
The minute President- Elect Biden is sworn into of- fice it needs to be made clear to the new president that the people who are largely re- sponsible for placing him there should be compensated in the form of reparations for
American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS), prison re- form, criminal justice reform, police reform, educational re- form, a raise to the federal minimum wage and eco- nomic stimulus. We made the mistake of not applying this kind of pressure to former President Barack Obama when he was in office and found ourselves watching from the sidelines as policies were put in place to assist the LGBT and immigrant com- munities. We can't afford to allow President-Elect Biden to get off as easily.
Along with revealing the large divide that exists within America, the 2020 election also showed just how valu- able the Black vote is to this country's political structure. And, going forward, I think it's in our own best interests to let it be known that our support won't be had for cheap regardless of how much we like or can identify with a particular candidate.
If they want the control they crave, elephant or don- key, they'll have to pay what they weigh or risk losing a voting bloc that currently has the ability to choose who sits on the throne.... Who knew a sleeping giant could be so powerful?
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‘Sleepy Joe, Who?’
History and experience dictate that when you make fun of someone you usually end up getting it back full in the face. For instance, what happened when Donald Trump got the notion, he should start re- ferring to Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe?”
Seems Trump never missed an opportunity to ma- lign the man. ““Sleepy Joe Biden” is not up to the task of being President” ... “Sleepy Joe Biden is too old” ... “suffers from dementia,” “cannot remember the last thing he just said,” etc.
Election Day and they came. The rabbit (Donald Trump) leaps out in front. And the turtle (“Sleepy Joe Biden”) seems left behind throughout many electoral states. Trump’s vote gains were unbelievable.
However, slowly, but surely the gains of Donald Trump (the rabbit) seemed to wither as “Sleepy Joe” (the turtle) ploddingly gained ground. In Pennsylvania and in Georgia, battleground buskins of Trumpism, the Turtle plodded on. Soon enough Biden, “Sleepy Joe” had caught up to Don the Rabbit.
And then the unbelievable happened.
In the sovereign southern State of Georgia, Biden took the lead. But most astounding was what hap- pened in Biden’s home state where a 600,000 vote Trump lead was whittled down and reversed so that at the end of the day the Rabbit was vanquished, and the Turtle took the lead.
How could it happen? Was it magic? No. It was math, fair and square.
“Sleepy Joe,” if indeed he was asleep, had awak- ened. So, we find the truth about “Sleepy Joe” Biden. He was more than sleeping. He was a sleeping giant. And, as anyone will tell you, beware of sleeping giants.
When they wake up, just ask Donald Trump, the rabbit, who thought he had the race won until the giant woke up. We congratulate both President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris.
Now, let the healing begin.
J
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