About four years ago, Keli Goff had an inkling of what many political experts are just not starting to realize — that when it comes to politics, young black Americans are no longer in lockstep with their parents, the old-guard black leaders, or the Democratic party. Driven by this concept, Goff, a political analyst who got her start in the field as an intern on Hillary Clinton’s first senatorial campaign, talked to young black voters, conducted surveys, and put her ideas on the page.
She came up with a book, Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence, about how the Democratic establishment has lost the unshakable loyalty of many young black voters who don’t have any first-hand experience of the Civil Rights era, which was when the bond between blacks and the Democratic party was forged. Many feel only weak ties to a Democratic party that doesn’t necessarily relate to them, and, as a result, are registering as independents at unexpected rates. The data in the book, which Goff conceived of years ago and finished researching and writing last year, is at least one answer to the question of how a solid, traditional Democratic candidate like Hillary Clinton is less popular with young voters than the more youthful upstart preaching an end to bitter partisanship.
I spoke to recently Goff about her book, in which your own Lauren Williams makes an appearance, spouting off about how Al Sharpton isn’t my leader and gushing unbecomingly about B.O. After the jump, get the low down on her book, recent campaign issues, Barack Obama, working for Clinton, and a horrifying on-air run in with Pat “Say Thank You” Buchanan.
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Well, as a Black registered independent, I will definitely look forward to reading this book.
I tell you Lauren, you are one heck of a journalist. I enjoy reading your entries daily and cannot wait for the next one. You inspire me both as a writer and as a Black woman who knows who she is and where she comes from. I appreciate your candid reporting. Keep up the magnificent work!
I am a 46 year old Black woman (who graduated from UVa in ‘83, Lauren) who first registered as an independent when I moved to Milwaukee from Baltimore 20 years ago. When I moved back east 11 years ago I again registered as an independent although in Baltimore, it means that I cannot vote in primaries. When we got together for Christmas, my 45 year old sister and 40 year old brother announced that they too were registered as independents. We had separately come to the conclusion that we didn’t want to be taken for granted by the Democratic party. This in spite of the fact that our cousin (now 43) was one of the youngest people ever elected to the Maryland state senate.
Perhaps my siblings and I were destined to be contrarians. Our father is a registered Democrat, while our mother is a registered Republican. We spent most of the 1960s in Puerto Rico and therefore experienced the civil rights movement through a television set. We were raised Catholic - in the suburbs. We’ve all travelled to Africa multiple times. We all struggled with what it meant to grow up black and middle class in the 1970s (and 80s in the case of my brother). In the end, although we embrace our African American heritage, we don’t let other people define what we should do or think as Black folks.
I will admit that I intend to vote for Obama - partly because of our mutual ages, experience growing up on tropical islands and attendance at Columbia U in the 1980s - but mostly because he doesn’t expect that I’ll vote for him just because I’m Black.
Another great read, Lauren. Hadn’t seen that video before. How ridiculous is that man>?
they’re contrarian but are they registered?
Yea, we’re registered in Baltimore, DC and Oakland.