On Thursday, June 27, Atlanta radio stations V-103 and WAOK held a panel discussion at the Bank Event Center as a precursor to the 2024 presidential debate. Moderated by WAOK’s Derrick Boazman and V-103 News and Public Affairs Director Maria Boynton, four panelists represented a range of demographics within the Black community—Young Democrats of Georgia Executive Vice President Davante Jennings, Morehouse College senior James McGee, former Georgia State representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler and immigration lawyer Kimberly Bandoh.
“We’ve all learned that elections do have consequences. Regardless of if you vote or not, somebody is going to be elected, and the choices in this election are very stark. The question is, ‘which one of these two gentlemen will perhaps give the best policy based on the issues that are most important to us?’,” Boazman said.
Dozens of Black Atlanta residents attended this highly democratic event as a way to address and discuss a wide range of topics they felt presidential candidates United States President Joseph R. Biden and former United States President Donald J. Trump should thoroughly unpack during the debate: immigration, reproductive justice, infrastructure and jobs.
The moderators and panelists highlighted the importance of younger generations voting, especially in the Black community, as their elders fought and died for the God-given right. Because the United States Constitution was not historically created for those of African descent, they emphasized the significance of voting for the candidate whose policies align with those protecting marginalized communities, followed by future generations.
“This election isn’t just about what’s going on in DC, Gaza or Congo. We’re talking about what’s going on in Atlanta. What’s going on in Baton Rouge. We’re talking about what’s going on in Iowa. We’re talking about what’s going on in every community. At the end of the day, the head will represent us across the world,” McGee said.
The unique aspect of this election primarily lies in the fact that both candidates are currently encumbered with substantial controversies. Known for his exceedingly old age, Biden has openly expressed his support for Israel in the Palestinian genocide, discouraging handful of young Americans from supporting him any longer. On the other hand, Trump has openly made oppressive remarks against several minority communities and was recently found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
“One felony would jeopardize our entire livelihoods as Black people, and then you look at somebody approaching 36 felonies and he’s just casually running for president. Fox News was even saying this was going to energize his Black base because we can relate to being felons,” attendee Jonathan Spruill said.
Generation Z panelists McGee and Jennings emphasized that younger citizens do not always have the discernment to decide which candidate would benefit them most socially and financially. Furthermore, they feel disconnected from the government at times, as they have been endorsing genocides like the one in Gaza, impeding their desire to exercise their voting rights.
“Here we are as a country saying that we hold a democracy. We’re saying that we have discernment to differentiate right from wrong, yet we’re standing behind Israel and we’re just watching people die across the world,” McGee said. “I know I’m going to the polls, but this has inevitably prevented my classmates from wanting to go to the polls.”