Black men in Milwaukee share their views on the election | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Who will Black men vote for on Election Day?

The topic has generated headlines this political season.

Last month, Vice President Kamala Harris told members of the National Association of Black Journalists that she is not assuming “Black men are in anybody’s pocket” as she campaigns to lead the White House.

Harris’ comments come at a time when some in the Democratic party, like former President Barack Obama, fear Black men may sit out this election. 

With the election only a week away, NNS spoke to seven Black men in Milwaukee who expressed a diverse range of concerns about the election and the candidates they support.

Here’s what they told us:

Robert E. Homes III

Age: 54

Occupation: Business owner

What do you think of the candidates for this election? “I think Kamala Harris is mentally capable of being the president of the United States, unlike the last two presidents.”

What issues are important to you in this election? “The issue that is important to me is the economy. But I know it will never be addressed, no matter who is in office. I think both parties need to regroup and put America first on the agenda. There are a lot of things that need fixing here, including bridges, buildings, etc.” 

East Harris

Age: 38

Occupation:  Large batch furnace operator

What do you think of the candidates for this election? “Not a whole lot of positives, to be honest with you. One person had people in prison beyond their prison terms, to have cheap labor for their particular district. The other person is a super elderly, some may call, crazy person.”  

What issues are important to you in this election? “How we are represented internationally. I look at it, like, who represents me better as a Black man, when you go to China? … Because we can tell ourselves anything here, yeah, you know what I’m saying? But when we’re not around, what do people say?”

 Erik Ngutse

Age: 33

Occupation: Community engagement director

What do you think of the candidates for this election? “I’m very excited about Trump’s candidacy. I think it will be great to return to where homes are affordable and you can buy a car and the economy is doing phenomenally. Harris frightens me a little. I just think she has poor leadership. I don’t think she has the capability, and she seems to just be continuing a lot of Biden’s policy. We’ve seen what comes of that, so I’m not excited for that at all.”

What issues are important to you in this election? “I’m a millennial, and right now, a lot of people in my age bracket are unable to afford homes. I think that’s something that’s fairly simple, that a common person would look at and say, ‘Hey, I remember when I could afford a home, and now I can’t afford a home.’ And then the southern border issue. Immigration is out of control. … For me, because when these things happen, they affect the Black community more than any other community.”  

Public safety “is always important,” Ngutse said. “And I think our community, more than any other community, we see an increase of violence, especially in Milwaukee, and that’s something that I look forward to having a commander in chief who understands that our communities deserve to be safe as well.” 

Roy Rogers

Age: 47

Occupation: Manufacturing coach

What do you think of the candidates for this election? “Right now, for me, I do not like Trump’s political decorum, right? I think as the leader of the free world that you have to have a better political ethic than what he presents, an ethic that’s more unifying and less polarizing, because you have a lot at stake. … As far as Harris is concerned, I’m always for anyone who is seeking to, number one, bring the country together, since we deal with so many dividing issues. So, we need someone who is able to think through to the best of their ability objectively, so that each constituent can, let’s say, go home with something on their plate.”

What issues are important to you in this election? “The economy and jobs, of course. And, the whole voting policy. … You know, we do have mechanisms in place where we don’t have to start amending constitutions in order to put out fires that don’t exist yet, right? So for me, number one, it’s the economy, and it’s protecting the voting rights.” 

Greg Griffin

Age: 46

Occupation:  Assistant director of Student Support Services for Marquette University 

What do you think of the candidates for this election? “I think that both candidates have their platforms that they want to move forward, their agendas, that they want to move forward. And so at the end of the day, I think those are the two who came on top. I think right now, it’s important that we focus on how can the next generation, the next individuals, who would like to run for office, whether it’s at the local level or even in the national level. 

What issues are important to you in this election?

“There’s a lot of issues, but I just think that the gun violence really is something that we really need to pay close attention to because it just, it hurts my soul to know that somebody can easily just go out on the streets or wherever, to get a gun, and then turn around and use it for evil. So I just think, gun violence is something that we really should pay close attention to.”

Bryant Ewing

Age: 21

Occupation: Political science student at Marquette University

What do you think of the candidates for this election? “I think we need more progressive candidates across the board. I think that people deserve it. I think we’re past, frankly, we’re past poverty as a society. I don’t think we should be giving money to foreign countries so that we can start wars. I don’t think that billionaires should be paying nothing in taxes, and I think both parties are lacking in that department. I will say for representation like Kamala Harris, does a lot in terms of like being the most presidential, she’s got it down. …”

What issues are most important to you in this election? “For me, I’m focused on the long-term health of the American economy (bringing back manufacturing), America’s wealth inequality, and the genocide in Palestine. I’m also worried about American democracy.”

Raevion Piggee

Age: 21

Occupation: Psychology student at Marquette University and a field organizer for RISE, a Gen-Z-led youth organization on a mission to build students’ political power.
 

What do you think of the candidates for this election? “My opinion on the candidates for this year’s election is, well, let’s start off for Donald Trump. It baffles me that he gets to run as president with 34 felony convictions. No one is really talking about that, or, you know, reprimanding him for even, you know, trying to be an elected official for our country and represent our country, or even, you know, trying to better our country when he’s not a better person himself. … For Kamala Harris, I think that, you know, she’s a wonderful candidate.”

What issues are most important to you in this election?

“I am most concerned about voter suppression in this election.”

For additional information about the election, including how to find your district, check out the Wisconsin Watch 2024 Voter Guide.