With over 93% backing Democrats, Black women helped fuel a historic blue wave. Now they’re making it clear that gratitude isn’t enough.
Black women not only showed up and showed out at the polls during this election cycle, but they may have outdone themselves.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, as Democrats celebrated sweeping victories in the midterm elections, over 93% of Black women voters, just ever so up from 92%, backed the party, according to voter poll data from ABC News and CNN, and the group chat has been going up ever since.
“Black women DID THAT THINGGG as we always do,” Luvvie wrote in a post on Threads.
“Went from a 92%’er to a 94%’er. We UP,” @mildmoonmama wrote in a post on the same platform.
Meanwhile, in a post of her own, Jennifer Taylor Skinner posed the question of the hour, “All the people who were mad at Black women for resting, do you have anything you want to say to us?”
The historic Democratic “bluenami” that flipped control of the House and Senate and delivered major victories for Black women—including Keisha Lance Bottoms who became the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. state, Stacey Plaskett, who became the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. territory; and Juliana Stratton, who became Illinois’ second Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate—was, in no small part, bought and paid for by Black women voters. Between all of the Olivia Pope “It’s handled” memes, posts declaring it feels like 2008 all over again, and Black women just loudly celebrating each other in a way only we know how, the joy is palpable as we have seemingly saved the country from itself, yet again.
For some, the results have offered a delicious bit of clarity about exactly what Black women meant when, after President Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, they collectively announced they were minding their own business for the duration of his second term. While many wondered and even criticized where all that organizing energy had gone, Black women were busy running for office, mobilizing their communities, and preparing to make their voices heard at the ballot box. The girls had a plan.
“Please remember that even when Black women AREN’T protected but ARE villianized we still show up and show out from our well manicured tippy toes to the top of our well hairstyled heads with a smile,” the writer P.H. Nix wrote in a post on Threads
Looking more closely across age, the youngest voters in the sisterhood really came through with a little extra razzle-dazzle. According to election data from Tufts University, there were also gains among Black women voters ages 18 to 29 who backed Democrats in this year’s midterms. The aunties and big cousins certainly did their thing, but baby, we’re so glad the nieces came correct, too.
Truly, from 72 Black women being on the ballot to the turnout at the polls, it’s all a testament to the political power Black women have been building for generations.
“What’s so tea, is Black women remained calm, didn’t get on the front lines, and let people talk. People accused us of not doing enough, folks accused us of being selfish, all while we were processing our own unique plight,” eptheguide wrote on Threads. “And YET, we still collectively came together more than any other group. Folks really can’t mess with us on their best day. Monumental. Historical. Iconic!”
It’s also not been lost on anyone that for once, given the massive blue wave that bodied the country across races, Black women weren’t alone, so to speak. However, getting us to this wave isn’t enough. The praise is much appreciated, the thank-yous are chill, but after delivering election after election, Black women voters would also like to see some real results they can work with.
“Every election cycle, Black women are celebrated for showing up. But recognition without investment isn’t enough,” a user under the name callme__doyenne wrote on Threads.
Because while Black women have proven themselves to be one of the Democratic Party’s most loyal voting blocs, that loyalty hasn’t always been rewarded with policies, protections, and investments. So, many of the celebratory posts have turned into rallying cries to protect this voting bloc at all costs.
“Black women showed up in this election, as we always do, to help shape the future of our communities and the future of our democracy,” Danielle Atkinson, the founder and executive director of Mothering Justice, said in a statement.
She continued, “From Georgia, where voters elected the country’s first Black woman governor, to Illinois voters electing its second Black woman to serve in the Senate, Black women were elected up and down the ballot. Now is the time for our government to listen to us.”
More About:Politics
Weekly New Episodes
Stream Now