Black Voters Don’t Need Pete Buttigieg to Connect Any Dots
Why this Black and gay voter isn’t interested in his candidacy
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Pete Buttigieg’s recent comment that basically said, "I’m not Black, but I’m gay," was another confirmation that he’s not ready to be president. As a Black, gay, Christian man — in a five-year relationship with a man who’s white by colonial forces — I don’t need Pete Buttigieg to connect any dots for me. I will not support his candidacy.
In response to pushback about his comments, Buttigieg said he was trying to share what motivates him, but his best motivations are meaningless. Motivations aren’t actions; motivations aren’t a track record, and Buttigieg’s abysmal record is proof. Buttigieg was trying to connect dots between Black and gay for Black voters.
But Buttigieg needs to heed what he told Beto O’Rourke in a debate, “I don’t need lessons from you on courage, political or personal.” Black voters can say the same; Black voters don’t need lessons from Buttigieg; Black voters don’t need Buttigieg to connect any dots. Already, “Black Americans are likeliest to oppose allowing small business owners to refuse service to gay and lesbian people based on their religious beliefs.”
The 2020 election comes as 90% of elected leaders are white, and 65% of them are white men; those numbers don’t need any additions. And 50 years after Stonewall, “white and gay” should not be first in line or first across the line; “white and gay” should not be the face of gay — because they’re not. Yet no other combination of LGBTQ would get the Buttigieg boost.
Now is not the time for Buttigieg because he’s not qualified to be president.
That’s why I can barely applaud a historic run because it comes from a history of privilege. And Buttigieg is a double-dipper; he’s had at least two helpings in life: white and gay. “White and gay” continue to draw benefits from Black struggle, and Buttigieg is a primary beneficiary — twice.
I understand Buttigieg. I can connect more dots than he’s willing to acknowledge. If Buttigieg thinks Black voters need an aha moment about him he’s mistaken.
Buttigieg is here now because he wants to win now. But the descendants of gradualism have no business rolling up and saying, “Now is the time!” Now is not the time for Buttigieg because he’s not qualified to be president.
Time needs to test Buttigieg. And the testing he needs can only happen away from presidential politics. My issue with Buttigieg isn’t because I’m missing dots; it’s because he misses the mark.
