The Democrats are losing older Black voters, like us

When we were young, the Democratic Party felt like home to hardworking people striving for a fair shot at the American Dream. Thanks to student aid programs, the Civil Rights Act and policies that emphasized inclusion, we achieved much of what we hoped for. This was a party that understood that opportunity was for everyone, not just the wealthy or well-connected.

But today, it seems the party has shifted its focus dramatically. Democratic politicians appear more preoccupied with corporate donations and lobbying interests than with the needs of average Americans. The party leans heavily on highly visible social issues that cater to select groups, often sidelining the bread-and-butter concerns that used to drive working families to the polls. Special interests seem to have taken center stage over expanding opportunity for all.

For many Black Americans in our age group, the pressing issues are retirement, health care, taxes, police accountability and property values — not debates over pronouns, abortion rights or immigration. Once, these core concerns were enough to galvanize voters. But now, they’re almost invisible in Democratic campaigns.

Consider retirement. For those of us nearing or already in retirement, financial stability is a constant worry, yet few Democratic candidates seriously address this outside of Social Security. In our community, the same disregard is evident on issues affecting Black businesses or property values in predominantly Black neighborhoods. These are essential, everyday concerns for the Black middle class, but the party seems to have all but forgotten about them.

There’s also a persistent blind spot when it comes to Black wealth and property ownership. In predominantly Black neighborhoods, gentrification is driving up costs, pushing long-term residents out and shifting the fabric of these communities. Where is the Democratic plan to tackle these issues? Older Black voters feel this absence acutely. We’re left to wonder if Democratic politicians even recognize we exist.

In the 2021 election cycle, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Virginia put heavy emphasis on restoring voting rights for felons as if that were the main concern for Black Virginians. While voting rights matter, his narrow focus felt out of touch with the primary issues our communities face — economic opportunity, public safety and quality of life. It’s not that we don’t care about voting rights; it’s that we have other pressing concerns that seem to never make it to the agenda.

This election season, we’ve heard younger Black voters question their loyalty to the Democratic Party, and we older Black voters are feeling similarly alienated. While placing a woman of color on the ticket was a historic move, many of us knew that this wouldn’t guarantee that our core issues would rise on the party’s agenda.

Year after year, Black voters have been pivotal to Democratic victories, especially older Black voters who turn out consistently. Yet after each election, essential issues — police reform, economic development in minority communities and education funding — are quickly forgotten. This neglect sends a troubling message to those of us over 50: Our support is taken for granted.

When George Floyd’s murder sparked a national outcry, the promise of police reform felt tangible. But the momentum for change, especially on policies like ending qualified immunity, fizzled out in Congress. While we were hopeful, it’s clear now that accountability and meaningful reform remain low priorities.

In the end, my wife and I voted with the same reservations we’ve had in recent elections — wanting to believe in the Democratic Party but knowing we’re not a priority. We’re not inclined to join the Republican Party, because many of its members seem too comfortable with racism and xenophobia and also provide no answers, but if Democrats don’t return to their foundational principles, they risk losing our support.

We long for a Democratic Party that remembers its roots — a party for the working class; a party that fights for education and employment opportunity; and a party that champions economic security. If Democrats continue to ignore us, we won’t just wonder where our voices went — we’ll walk away.