Black Caucus

  • Welcome and thank you for visiting the Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus site

    The Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus (GBC) is made up of DA members of all ethnicities from around the world who are willing and able to advocate on issues important to Black Americans within the United States of America and those living abroad. All DA members are eligible to join the GBC. We advocate for laws, policies and programs that improve the lives of Black Americans and educate all people on the humanity of Black people.

    People of visible African descent have been in what we now know as the United States of America since 1619, long before many ethnic groups who are now considered to be White. Black Americans were essential to building America. Without Black people, the greatness of America would not be possible. Today, Black Americans are in all walks of life and are 13.3% of the American population[1]. By 2060, the projected black population in the United States will be 74.5 million, with a predicted median black wealth as of 2053 of zero and a current median White wealth of $116,000.

    According to The Voter Participation Center, from 2012 to 2016, Black voter turnout dropped by 4.7% overall[2]. Black voter turnout is essential for Democratic election victories. Therefore, it is necessary for Democrats to identify and focus on those issues close to the hearts of African American and other minority voters.  In general, voters do not turn out unless they feel included, listened to, and excited. It is important that Democrats Abroad  have a caucus which directly addresses the issues of Black Americans. Thus, the Global Black Caucus will produce and disseminate political content which bears witness to the ever-unfolding international history of the Black American reality. Black Lives Matter!

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    [1] “QuickFacts.” U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts Selected: UNITED STATES, United States Census Bureau, 1 July 2016, www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045216.

    [2] Fraga, Bernard L., et al. “Analysis | Why Did Trump Win? More Whites - and Fewer Blacks - Actually Voted.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 8 May 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/05/08/why-did-trump-win-more-whites-and-fewer-blacks-than-normal-actually-voted/?utm_term=.c54e479ea009&wpisrc=nl_politics&wpmm=1.

     

    The purpose of the Global Black Caucus is to provide a forum for all DA members to better understand the issues and concerns affecting Black Americans, to help eliminate unconscious bias within the DA membership and in America, to help engage with Black voters living abroad and ensure that their needs are met within the DA community, and, where needed, to advocate for reforms to political issues. We encourage and facilitate Black Americans abroad to engage, become informed, and exercise their voting franchise. 

    Mission Statement

    • To support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic[1]
    • To support the goals and ideals of the Democratic Party and Democrats Abroad
    • To encourage voting in every eligible U.S. election by as many Black Americans abroad and Black Caucus members as possible
    • To advocate on issues of concern to Black Americans
    • To be a voice for U.S. citizens living abroad
    • To support campaigns of Democratic candidates aligned with our interests running for elected office in the U.S.
    • To work with other teams within DA to further our joint goals.

     

    [1] In these times where assaults on the constitutional rights are routinely taking place and there are many forces who are actively working to call a constitutional convention and change our rights, it is important that every American defend our constitution not just those who work for the government.

    DA Black Caucus Leadership:

    Adrian Anderson
    | Global Black Caucus Steering Team
    Angela Fobbs
    | Communications Coordinator, Germany - Global Black Caucus Chair
    Adrienne Johnson
    | Chair, UK Black Caucus; Global Black Caucus Steering Team; UK - Executive Committee (past); UK - Communications Committee; UK - Film Committee;
    Karen Lee
    | Global Black Caucus Steering Team
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    News

    GBC Statement on Virginia Governor Ralph Northam

    posted by | Communications Coordinator, Germany - Global Black Caucus Chair
    February 07, 2019

    Democrats Abroad Global Black Caucus adds its voice to those of the NAACP, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News), former Virginia governor L. Douglas Wilder, Virginia House Democrats and the Virginia Black Caucus, among many many others, calling for the immediate resignation of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.

    On February 1st, a right-wing online outlet run by former Breitbart staff published a 1984 photo from Gov. Northam’s Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook. The picture features two men, one in blackface, one in full KKK robe and hood. Initially, Northam took responsibility for the ugly, disturbing picture, apologizing for the image taken at age 24. He acknowledged his actions in a written statement and on video but then held a press conference and reversed course. He is now claiming that he does not recall taking the photo and that he isn’t one of the two men pictured.

    A week later, after admitting to wearing blackface to impersonate Michael Jackson, and while still leaving unexplained how the racist photo was on his yearbook page in the first place, Gov. Northam has dug in and is refusing to step down. This is unacceptable. Blackface is unacceptable. As the director of the NAACP, Derrick Johnson said February 6, on the Rachel Maddow Show, the history of the KKK and the history of blackface, which is one of many vile social customs used to mock, shame, and oppress African Americans is the history of domestic terrorism. Every African American knows and recognizes this. It’s a history which school administrators, the editors of the Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook, and Ralph Northam knew and recognized in 1984. They were all in on the joke. It’s unacceptable.

    The Black vote, specifically the Black woman vote---91%---put Northam in the Governor’s mansion. Gov. Northam cannot even bring himself to admit if he was the one in blackface or Klan regalia. Virginians nor the Democratic party continue to support him. He must resign immediately.

    Written by GBC Contributor KC Washington in cooperation with the GBC steering committee.

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    2019 Black History Month

    posted by | Communications Coordinator, Germany - Global Black Caucus Chair
    January 31, 2019

     

     

     

    Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. African Americans have and continue to make significant contributions to the United States and our achievements deserve to be celebrated. Learn more about the origins of Black History Month.

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    Upcoming Events

    Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 06:00 PM through December 30, 2019 · 11 rsvps
    Online

    Watch the Film Legalize Equality

    The Equal Rights Amendment resolution passed unanimously in Tokyo where we committed to do whatever we can to help get the ERA ratified.  See the resolution here.

    Watch the video "Legalize Equality."  This 30-minute video gives an excellent overview of the Equal Rights Amendment and why it is critical to be ratified.  

    You can watch the video until 31 December 2019.

    To receive the streaming link and password, click RSVP and you will receive an email with the information in it.

    Feel free to share the link and password to DA members that want to view it.  However, please do NOT post the link and password on the internet in any way.  Only Democrats Abroad has access for this private screening and we need to honor this special access given by Equal Means Equal and Heroica Films.  

     

     

    Additional References to learn more about ERA:

    www.equalrightsamendment.org

    www.equalmeansequal.org

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Rights_Amendment

    https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/31/us/equal-rights-amendment-illinois-states-trnd/index.html

     

    RSVP
    Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 01:00 PM
    Zoom Webinar

    DA Speaker Series: Nina Turner on race relations in the U.S.

    Join Democrats Abroad on February 21st from 1pm to 2pm DC time as we speak with Our Revolution President, Senator Nina Turner, in a Black History Month webinar and Q&A.

    Since the 2016 Presidential elections there has been an increasing culture of divisive rhetoric throughout the country. During the webinar we will discuss the state of race relations in the U.S. with Turner. She will outline her thoughts on a way forward and the belief that the Democratic Party - and all Americans - must condemn all forms of racism and reject division as we move towards the 2020 elections and beyond.

    Bio
    Nina Turner is the president of Our Revolution, which was founded in August 2016 to perpetuate and organize the political coalition that formed during Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. Previously, she served in the Ohio State Senate, where she advocated for progressive causes such as education and healthcare reform, and was the Democratic nominee for Ohio Secretary of State and a strategic leader of the Ohio Democratic Party. Politico included her in their Playbook Power List of 18 people to watch in 2018. Outside of the political arena, Turner has decades of experience as a college professor and motivational speaker.
    You can send questions for Nina until Feb 20th, 12 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) to webinars@democratsabroad.org. Please include your name, country, and voting state.
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