To my fellow Democrats, African Americans, and all who stand with us:

Another election has come and gone. We saw the predictable cycle: fervent calls for mobilization, last-minute appeals for turnout, and then, when the dust settles, promises left as bare echoes in a political wilderness. African Americans did our part. We showed up, voting in numbers that upheld Democratic chances, even if the outcome didn’t favor us on every front. But as we assess the election results, it’s time to ask: where does our loyalty to the Democratic Party lead?

For over 80 years, since the 1936 election that solidified the New Deal coalition, African Americans have been the backbone of the Democratic electorate. From the Great Migration to the modern era, we’ve carried the torch in countless elections, unwavering in our support. And yet, our steadfast loyalty has rarely translated into the kind of meaningful, systemic change that our communities need. This election, despite our efforts, we find ourselves facing the loss of the White House, the Senate, the House, and with a conservative judiciary—a sobering reminder of the limits of partisan allegiance. It’s a moment for reflection, strategy, and deep consideration of what African Americans need, not only as voters but as descendants of enslaved Africans, “grandfathered” into this nation by the Constitution and the blood of our ancestors.

Reclaiming Our Rights: Constitutional Grounding and Our Unique Citizenship

Let’s remember the historical foundation of our place in this country. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments form the bedrock of our citizenship, underscoring our rights in ways unlike any other group. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery, the 14th granted citizenship and equal protection under the law, and the 15th Amendment sought to secure our right to vote. We were not brought here with the choice or aspirations of immigrants, but rather as enslaved people—denied freedom, yet essential to the building of America. Our right to this country is as intrinsic as its founding documents. We are here not by invitation but by law and legacy as descendants of those who built America’s wealth and infrastructure. Yet, even now, we have not fully benefited from the fruits of our labor.

As this nation pivots toward embracing new immigrant groups, we have to recognize the uncomfortable truth that until America fully reckons with its treatment of African Americans, our advancement will remain limited. It is not a call for exclusion but a demand for acknowledgment and reparation—not just recognition. Suppose America cannot offer us reparations in addition to recognition. In that case, we cannot take revolutionary steps in the fight against immigration.

The Democratic Party and a Long History of Disappointment

For all the promises Democrats have made to us, we must ask: where is the tangible progress? From early in the Great Migration, when the Democratic Party courted Black voters with promises of economic security, improved living conditions, and social advancement, we have yet to see these promises fulfilled. The book “The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century” highlights how the mass movement of Black Southerners to northern and western cities during the Great Migration fundamentally transformed the American political landscape, particularly the Democratic Party. However, it also underscores the deep disappointment many Black Americans felt as Democratic promises of equality and opportunity often went unfulfilled, leading to frustration and disillusionment with the political process.

A stark example of unkept promises is the failure to pass meaningful voting rights legislation. Despite campaigning on protecting voting rights, Democrats have been unable to enact the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, leaving many Black voters vulnerable to disenfranchisement. This failure underscores a pattern of unfulfilled commitments to the Black community. The truth is that loyalty has yet to yield enough. Now is not the time to hold Democrats accountable; it is time to recognize that our support has weight and must come with conditions that make a measurable difference in our lives. In losing ground across government institutions, African Americans face a moment to assess our collective political leverage. We have given the Democratic Party decades of consistent support. It is time for us to re-evaluate what we need from this alliance. After this crushing defeat, there is no better time than the present to explore something new.

Exploring New Strategies: Reclaiming and Redefining “Make America Great”

This may be a contentious idea, but we should consider what a “Make America Great” vision might look like if we center it on honoring America’s debt to African Americans. For too long, we have heard that immigration, economic growth, and social welfare policies must serve everyone equally. Still, we often see that this equality rarely applies to us. Before America extends its promises to others, it must first fulfill its overdue commitments to the descendants of enslaved Africans. The proposed isolationism could provide a critical opportunity for America to focus on its internal inequalities and inequities, allowing for dedicated efforts to address systemic racism and uplift Black communities. Instead of attempting to embrace all forms of diversity while failing to meet the needs of specific groups, America could concentrate on rectifying its historical injustices toward African Americans. Trying to serve everyone often ends up serving no one effectively.

Supporting stricter immigration policies may seem counterintuitive; however, until America addresses and corrects its historical wrongs toward African Americans, we risk continued political and economic marginalization by policies that overlook our unique place within the nation’s fabric. Our communities require targeted resources, educational investments, and economic development directly linked to the debt owed to us—not only reparations for centuries of slavery but also recognition of the systemic hardships that have persisted since then.

Following emancipation, Black Codes restricted the freedoms of newly freed African Americans, leading to sharecropping agreements that trapped many in economic servitude. The subsequent Jim Crow laws institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. At the same time, disenfranchisement tactics such as literacy tests and poll taxes systematically excluded Black voters from political participation. Furthermore, redlining practices denied Black families access to mortgages and homeownership opportunities, perpetuating wealth disparities across generations. The inequities faced by Black veterans in accessing GI Bill benefits further compounded these challenges. Today, mass incarceration continues to disproportionately affect Black communities, creating lasting repercussions for families and neighborhoods. As America seeks to open new doors, it must also confront the original sin of slavery and the ongoing injustices that remain unatoned. 

The Path Forward: Evolutionary Economics and Environmental Diplomacy

Our path forward lies not solely in traditional politics but in cultivating economic and environmental strategies that transcend boundaries. With a regenerative economic plan and a global Black network, we can create a future independent of systems that historically disadvantaged us. We must reclaim the principles of evolutionary economics—using our global Black community’s purchasing power, investments, and entrepreneurship to create a regenerative, prosperous future. By supporting Black-owned businesses, advancing environmentally sustainable practices, and demanding green investments and patient capital in our communities, we can create a Black economy grounded in resilience, innovation, and independence.

As African Americans, we must confront anti-Blackness not only in the US but as a global phenomenon. Part of this work will require us to decolonize institutional systems and structures to create enterprises with standards and procedures that promote Black people’s evolutionary growth. This means aligning with the broader African diaspora and building trade, knowledge exchange, and innovation networks that can uplift us all. In doing so, we position ourselves as agents of change in education, criminal justice reform, and entrepreneurship—addressing the root issues while circumventing a political system that has often failed us.

Investing in Education, Entrepreneurship, and Justice Reform

Education serves as the cornerstone of our future. We must establish policies that fund our schools, teach our history, and prepare our youth to face a world that often remains hostile toward them. We must promote diverse educational pathways—academic, extension, vocational, and more—to create a dynamic and adaptable society. A diversified and educated workforce is essential for our communities and the nation’s economic resilience.

Entrepreneurship, too, must be a focal point of our strategy, as it provides a pathway toward self-sufficiency and community wealth. As we continue to push for criminal justice reform, let us address the criminalization that permeates the justice system and agriculture, health care, and other industries. The case of industrial hemp, historically criminalized yet an essential commodity crop necessary for agriculture and now partially decriminalized under the US Farm Bill, shows how policies have limited Black economic participation from seed to sales. Meanwhile, the legalization of marijuana in many US states has created a booming industry predominantly benefiting white entrepreneurs. At the same time, countless Black individuals remain incarcerated for past marijuana offenses. This reality is apparent: the system of democratic capitalism was not designed for the success of Black people. There is an urgent need for Black individuals to conduct their research, collect their data, and perform their analysis because that is the only way to acquire equity, equal and ethical justice, and meaningful policy reform.

Call to Action: Uniting the Black Community and Strengthening Our Resolve

To every African American reading this, I urge you to let us move forward with clarity and conviction. Let us deepen our bonds with Black communities across the globe, creating pathways for community connections through exchange and support that transcend national borders. Let us reclaim our economic power by practicing evolutionary economics, prioritizing our collective uplift. And let us demand that America acknowledges and addresses its debts to us before extending its promises elsewhere.

This moment allows African Americans to hold ourselves and our leaders to a new standard. We cannot afford to wait another cycle, another term, or on another empty promise. It is time for us to evolve, lead, and insist on a future where Black lives matter and Black legacies are honored—not as political bargaining chips but as fundamental to this nation’s moral and economic future.

Sincerely,  

Dr. Ashley Milton, Professor of Political Science at Florida A&M University