The festival, held in Philadelphia and headlined by famed artists such as Lil Wayne and Jill Scott, attracted a largely younger and Black crowd — groups that were key parts of President Biden’s winning coalition in 2020 but whose support has softened ahead of this year’s election.
Less than four miles away and just days earlier, President Biden and Vice President Harris launched “Black Voters for Biden-Harris” in this battleground state, as part of the campaign’s effort to energize and mobilize the party’s most loyal constituency. Biden framed the prospect of former president Donald Trump returning to the White House as putting at risk “all progress, all freedom, all opportunities.” Black voters are a key constituency in several swing states but are particularly critical in Pennsylvania. Biden won the support of 92 percent of Black Pennsylvania voters in 2020, exit polls showed, and the state is considered by many to be a must-win in his reelection bid.
But Black Americans’ desire to vote in this year’s election is down sharply compared with four years ago, according to a recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll. That drop in interest was sharpest among younger Black people compared to other age groups, with 41 percent of those ages 18 to 39 saying they’re “absolutely certain to vote” — down from 61 percent in June 2020.
That malaise was evident in nearly 30 interviews with young Black attendees at the festival, with most expressing deep frustrations with Biden, Trump and the repeat matchup between the two older White men. Some said they plan to begrudgingly vote for Biden due to their distaste for Trump and concern that he’s a threat to the future of the country. Others said they remain undecided, are flirting with a vote for Trump or a third-party option — or plan to not vote at all.
Here’s what they said they’re feeling about the 2024 election:
“We’ve already experienced both of them. They’re both liars. We need somebody who’s going to actually stand on their word. It’s just them two right now — so we’re just s— out of luck as a country.”
— Lu Rattigan, 28. Works in film production in Philadelphia. Not planning to vote.
“I feel like I would be voting because I don’t want Donald Trump, but I don’t want Biden in there either. Both of them are dirty. It’s like choose your dirt.”
— Milan White, right, 26. Works as a claims examiner in Delaware County, Pa. Not planning to vote.
“It’s really hard to vote because neither candidate is good. Biden is too old. Trump is too racist … and once he has a strong opinion about something it’s hard to sway him. It’s hard to vote when it’s between those two.”
— William Carter, 21. Works as an electrical lineman in Rochester, N.Y. Not planning to vote.
“He’s not my favorite — Trump. But at the same time I appreciate his honesty. … And I feel like with how Biden has done, I don’t know — maybe we need to vote with [Trump] and try it out? He has offered some things that … have potential. We picked the nice guy and look what happened.”
— Brianna Jerome, 25. Works in medical tech in Allentown, Pa. Undecided but open to voting for Trump.
“[W]e can’t over-expect anything from a president because some things are not on him. … There is no reason for me to like Donald Trump. He doesn’t do anything for us.”
— Ty Thompson, 22. Works as a freelancer in brand management in Brooklyn, N.Y. Likely voting for Biden.
“They’ve all been lying to our community for years. … I’m definitely going to always utilize my right [to vote], because too many people died for the right. But I don’t know who I’m gonna vote for. It ain’t gonna be Donald Trump — ever.”
— Shanaya Dungey, 41. Works as nonprofit executive leader in Minneapolis. Undecided but never Trump.
“If I’m being honest, I was leaning toward [Trump] but hearing certain things, I’m feeling reserved now. I’m not really looking forward to the election. … I don’t think that anyone has earned my vote.”
— Shavar Rush, 38. Works as an account manager in Philadelphia. Undecided but open to voting for Trump.
“I most definitely know who I’m gonna vote for. Anybody but Trump. I just can’t. Anybody else. I like my freedom.”
— Aaronica Burrell, 25. College student in Philadelphia. Likely voting for Biden.
“I’m looking at the third-party option. My son was telling me about Robert Kennedy Jr. He’s into him big time.”
— Iyana Galloway, 37. Works in HR in Minneapolis. Considering voting for a third-party candidate but never Trump.
“It comes down to honesty. Trump has been honest. Joe Biden has been mysterious from day one and the only thing you can really … see is his health and based off his health, I don’t feel confident he’ll finish another four-year term.”
— Barry Roberson, Jr., right, 35. Works as a school administrator in education in Delaware County, Pa. Not planning on voting but would back Trump.
