With about six weeks until the California Primary on June 2, 2026, there are a number of candidates in the Democratic Party seeking the gubernatorial nomination for the November General Election. Most of them are so busy campaigning in their own silos that they appear to have forgotten that Black people in California do vote and that we will be voting on June 2nd, 2026.
The real problem is how the candidates seem to determine how to reach the Black Voter. Many of the Black people who do vote are not on social media. Many of the people on social media do not vote.
Newspapers, before social media, and even now, carry the pulse of the people. The Editorials and commentaries reflect the mood and views of the people. In the Black community, the Black Press has been the “trusted messenger” for 199 years. The Black Press which we know as our Black newspapers, are the institutions we recognize and trust. How then can a candidate say he or she respects and wants the Black vote when they refuse to advertise their candidacy with Black newspapers, i.e., the Black Press.
One candidate for Governor was recently asked whether his campaign would seek to advertise in the Black Press. His response was that he had given some money to a well known Black journalist. The implication is that such a one time, one person advertisement should have been sufficient for all Black people. The only question for us should be, who else is running besides that individual?
How can it be alright to spend millions of dollars with White Media for the White vote, and okay not to spend any dollars to reach the Black Vote? We as Black people must return to the idea that when you disrespect our institutions, then you disrespect us. Let us not forget that people respect where they place their money.