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USA Today
09-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Black voter support for Trump is sinking, polls show
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's approval rating among Black Americans is sinking, according to some of the latest polling, despite Trump making inroads with the electorate in last year's presidential race. A June Pew Research study found that Trump won 15% of Black voters in the 2024 election, up from 8% in 2020. The study noted that the shift mainly had to do with higher voter turnout in 2024 compared to 2020. Trump also held an edge over former Vice President Kamala Harris, his opponent, among voters 'who did not vote four years earlier – a group that was considerably more diverse' than those who voted in 2024 and in 2020, according to the study. But Black voters have been dissatisfied with Trump's presidency, polls show. A Decision Desk HQ average of polls found that at the start of his term, Trump had a disapproval rating of 44% and an approval rating of 35% among Black voters. However, his disapproval rating slowly started to increase. By the beginning of March, it was at around 63%, and it has reached 71.5% as of July 7. A survey by the The Economist/YouGov conducted between July 4 and July 7 also found a dip in support among Black voters for Trump. It found that 15% of Black voters approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president, compared to 20% of Black voters who approved of his job handling in a June survey. Since coming into office, Trump has unleashed a tariff war with other countries, sparking concerns among Americans over price increases back home. More recently, he signed into law his sweeping tax and domestic policy bill, which is expected to add trillions to the national debt. Black Americans' approval over the way Trump has handled inflation and prices has also decreased. The July YouGov/The Economist survey found that only 16% of Black voters approve of Trump's handling of these issues, compared to 19% in June. The July survey, conducted among 1,528 U.S. adult citizens, has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Black voter support for Trump is sinking, polls show
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's approval rating among Black Americans is sinking, according to some of the latest polling, despite Trump making inroads with the electorate in last year's presidential race. A June Pew Research study found that Trump won 15% of Black voters in the 2024 election, up from 8% in 2020. The study noted that the shift mainly had to do with higher voter turnout in 2024 compared to 2020. Trump also held an edge over former Vice President Kamala Harris, his opponent, among voters 'who did not vote four years earlier – a group that was considerably more diverse' than those who voted in 2024 and in 2020, according to the study. But Black voters have been dissatisfied with Trump's presidency, polls show. A Decision Desk HQ average of polls found that at the start of his term, Trump had a disapproval rating of 44% and an approval rating of 35% among Black voters. However, his disapproval rating slowly started to increase. By the beginning of March, it was at around 63%, and it has reached 71.5% as of July 7. A survey by the The Economist/YouGov conducted between July 4 and July 7 also found a dip in support among Black voters for Trump. It found that 15% of Black voters approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president, compared to 20% of Black voters who approved of his job handling in a June survey. Since coming into office, Trump has unleashed a tariff war with other countries, sparking concerns among Americans over price increases back home. More recently, he signed into law his sweeping tax and domestic policy bill, which is expected to add trillions to the national debt. Black Americans' approval over the way Trump has handled inflation and prices has also decreased. The July YouGov/The Economist survey found that only 16% of Black voters approve of Trump's handling of these issues, compared to 19% in June. The July survey, conducted among 1,528 U.S. adult citizens, has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's approval rating among Black voters is sinking: Polls
Boston Globe
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
A guide to what the Juneteenth holiday is and how to celebrate it
Still, many people anticipate getting Juneteenth off work. There are a plethora of street festivals, fairs, concerts and other events planned throughout the week leading into the holiday. But with the current political climate, some may wonder if their company will honor it. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I don't think anyone should be intimidated or obligated into not celebrating the day,' said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. 'I've not heard of anyone being denied. I think it would be absolutely reprehensible.' Advertisement People who never gave the occasion more than a passing thought may be asking themselves, is there a 'right' way to celebrate Juneteenth? For beginners and those brushing up on history, here are some answers: Is Juneteenth more of a solemn day of remembrance or a party? It depends on what you want. Juneteenth festivities are rooted in cookouts and picnics. Originally celebrated as Black Americans' true Independence Day, outdoor events allowed for large, raucous reunions among formerly enslaved family, many of whom had been separated. The gatherings were especially revolutionary because they were free of restrictive measures, known as 'Black Codes,' enforced in Confederate states. Codes controlled whether liberated slaves could vote, buy property, gather for worship and other aspects of daily life. Advertisement Last year, the White House kicked things off early with a concert on the South Lawn for Juneteenth and Black Music Month. The atmosphere was primarily festive with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black vice president, dancing on stage with gospel singer Kirk Franklin. Plans for a Juneteenth event or proclamation this year have not been decided, according to the White House press office. Others may choose to treat Juneteenth as a day of rest and remembrance. That can mean doing community service, attending an education panel or taking time off. 'The most important thing everyone should do is be able to quickly answer the question 'What is Juneteenth?'' Morial said. What if you've never celebrated Juneteenth? Dr. David Anderson, a Black pastor and CEO of Gracism Global, a consulting firm helping leaders navigate conversations bridging divides across race and culture, never did anything on Juneteenth in his youth. He didn't learn about it until his 30s. 'I think many folks haven't known about it — who are even my color as an African American male. Even if you heard about it and knew about it, you didn't celebrate it,' Anderson said. 'It was like just a part of history. It wasn't a celebration of history.' For many African Americans, the farther away from Texas that they grew up increased the likelihood they didn't have big Juneteenth celebrations regularly. In the South, the day can vary based on when word of Emancipation reached each state. Advertisement What kind of public Juneteenth events are taking place? Search online and you will find gatherings nationwide varying in scope and tone. Some are more carnivalesque festivals with food trucks, arts and crafts and parades. Within those festivals, you'll likely find information on health care, finance and community resources. There also are concerts and fashion shows to highlight Black creativity. There will also be panels to educate about Juneteenth's history. The National Park Service is again making entry into all sites free on the holiday, according to its website. Are there special Juneteenth decorations or foods? The red, black and green African Liberation Flag, also known as the Pan-African flag, has historically been displayed at both Black History Month and Juneteenth celebrations. Red represents bloodshed and sacrifice of enslaved ancestors. Black symbolizes Black people. Green represents richness of the land in Africa. More people, however, have leaned into the Juneteenth flag created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith, who founded the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. Like the American flag, it is red, white and blue to indicate those freed are also Americans. The five-point white star in the middle is a tribute to Juneteenth's birthplace of Texas. It is encircled by another white starry line that represents the spreading of freedom. Aside from barbecue, the color red has been a through line for Juneteenth food for generations. Red symbolizes the bloodshed and sacrifice of enslaved ancestors. A Juneteenth menu might incorporate items like barbecued ribs or other red meat, watermelon and red velvet cake. Drinks like fruit punch and red Kool-Aid may make an appearance at the table. In recent years, Juneteenth has become more commercialized with national chains selling Juneteenth party supplies, T-shirts and other merchandise. However, this year, Juneteenth items appear to be fewer or only online. Morial says he would be disappointed if companies decided selling Juneteenth items out in the open was too risky because of politics. At the same time, it might be a good opportunity for consumers. Advertisement 'I would also encourage people to go online and look for an African American vendor,' Morial said. 'If you got to participate in that (commercialism), that's what I would do.' Does how you celebrate Juneteenth matter if you aren't Black? Dr. Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University whose research focuses on race, said there's no reason to feel awkward about wanting to recognize Juneteenth just because you have no personal ties or you're not Black. In fact, embrace it. 'I would reframe that and challenge my non-Black folks who want to lean into Juneteenth and celebrate,' Brown said. 'It absolutely is your history. It absolutely is a part of your experience. ... Isn't this all of our history? The good, the bad, the ugly, the story of emancipation and freedom for your Black brothers and sisters under the Constitution of the law.' What are other names used to refer to Juneteenth? Over the decades, Juneteenth has also been called Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Black Fourth of July and second Independence Day among others. 'Because 1776, Fourth of July, where we're celebrating freedom and liberty and all of that, that did not include my descendants,' Brown said. 'Black people in America were still enslaved. So that that holiday always comes with a bittersweet tinge to it.' Is there a proper Juneteenth greeting? It's typical to wish people a 'Happy Juneteenth' or 'Happy Teenth,' according to Alan Freeman, a comedian who has organized a June 19 comedy show at Club 68, which local media has described as the last Black bar and club on Galveston Island. The day after he will host a stand-up comedy and jazz show at his Houston restaurant and lounge, the Frisky Whisky. Advertisement 'You know how at Christmas people will say 'Merry Christmas' to each other and not even know each other?' Freeman said. 'You can get a 'Merry Christmas' from everybody. This is the same way.'
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Juneteenth holiday in US: How is it celebrated and what is this year's plan? All FAQs answered
Juneteenth is observed every year on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and is a federal holiday in the US. The day honours those who suffered as a result of slavery in the 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in the colonies, which later became the US. Juneteenth was designated as a federal holiday under the Biden administration in 2021- expanding its recognition beyond Black America. This is the first Juneteenth under President Donald Trump's second administration, which has banned diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or DEI, in the federal government. This has included removing Black American history content from federal websites. Trump officials have also discouraged some federal agencies from recognising other racial heritage celebrations. How will be Juneteenth celebrated in the US? For Juneteenth, many people in the US are expecting to look forward to a plethora of street festivals, fairs, concerts and other events planned throughout the week leading into the holiday. But with the current political climate, some may wonder if their company will honour it, reports news agency AP. 'I don't think anyone should be intimidated or obligated into not celebrating the day,' said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League 'I've not heard of anyone being denied. I think it would be absolutely reprehensible.' All FAQs on Juneteenth answered: Live Events Is Juneteenth more of a solemn day of remembrance or a party? Actually, it depends on what you want. Juneteenth festivities are rooted in cookouts and picnics. Originally celebrated as Black Americans' true Independence Day, outdoor events allowed for large, raucous reunions among formerly enslaved family, many of whom had been separated. Last year, the White House kicked things off early with a concert on the South Lawn for Juneteenth and Black Music Month. The atmosphere was primarily festive with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black vice president, dancing on stage with gospel singer Kirk Franklin. ALSO READ: Is Pentagon planning to invade Greenland and Panama? Pete Hegseth's remarks raise serious concerns What is this year's plan? Plans for a Juneteenth event or proclamation this year have not been decided, according to the White House press office. Others may choose to treat Juneteenth as a day of rest and remembrance. That can mean doing community service, attending an education panel or taking time off. What if you've never celebrated Juneteenth? Dr. David Anderson, a Black pastor and CEO of Gracism Global—a consulting firm that helps leaders navigate conversations around race and culture—didn't grow up observing Juneteenth. In fact, he didn't learn about the holiday until he was in his 30s. 'I think a lot of people, even African Americans like myself, simply didn't know about it,' Anderson said. 'And even if you had heard of it, you didn't really celebrate it. It was just a historical fact—not something we marked with festivities.' For many Black Americans, particularly those raised farther from Texas, large-scale Juneteenth celebrations were uncommon. In the South, the observance often depended on when news of the Emancipation Proclamation actually reached each state. What types of public Juneteenth events are happening? A quick online search reveals a wide variety of Juneteenth events across the country, ranging in size and style. Some celebrations take the form of vibrant festivals, complete with food trucks, arts and crafts, parades, and live entertainment. Within these festivals, you'll often find booths offering health care information, financial advice, and community resources. Many also include concerts, fashion shows showcasing Black creativity, and educational panels on the history of Juneteenth. In honor of the holiday, the National Park Service is offering free admission to all its sites, according to its website. ALSO READ: Kim Kardashian's post on ICE raids draws DHS ire: 'Which one of these convicted child molesters would you like to stay?' Are there traditional Juneteenth decorations or foods? The Pan-African flag — red, black, and green — is commonly displayed during both Black History Month and Juneteenth. Red represents the bloodshed and sacrifice of enslaved ancestors; black symbolizes the people; and green signifies the rich lands of Africa. In recent years, more people have embraced the Juneteenth flag created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith. This red, white, and blue flag reflects the American identity of the newly freed people. A five-point star at the center represents Texas, where Juneteenth originated, and is surrounded by a white outline symbolizing the spread of freedom across the country. When it comes to food, red remains a central theme — a symbolic nod to the ancestors' sacrifice. Traditional Juneteenth dishes may include barbecue (especially ribs), red meats, watermelon, and red velvet cake. Drinks such as fruit punch or red Kool-Aid are also common. Has Juneteenth become commercialized? In recent years, major retailers have begun selling Juneteenth-themed merchandise, from party supplies to T-shirts. However, this year such items appear to be less visible in stores and more often available only online. Marc Morial, a civic leader, says he hopes businesses haven't backed away from Juneteenth products due to political concerns. He encourages consumers to support Black-owned businesses instead. 'If you're going to take part in that commercial aspect, find an African American vendor online,' Morial advised. ALSO READ: Trump calls Israel's strike on Iran 'excellent', says 'there's more to come' Can non-Black people celebrate Juneteenth? Absolutely, says Dr. Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University who studies race. She encourages everyone — regardless of race — to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth. 'Don't feel awkward if you want to engage with Juneteenth,' Brown said. 'It is your history. This is part of the broader American story — the struggle, the progress, and the promise of freedom.' ALSO READ: Friday 13th is here: Why people think it's unlucky and what's the mystery behind it? Are there other names for Juneteenth? Yes — Juneteenth has also been known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day, and the second Fourth of July. 'July 4, 1776, didn't mean freedom for Black Americans,' Brown pointed out. 'While the nation was celebrating liberty, my ancestors were still enslaved. That's why Juneteenth carries special significance.' Is there a traditional Juneteenth greeting? Yes! Much like 'Merry Christmas,' people commonly greet one another with 'Happy Juneteenth' or 'Happy Teenth.' Comedian Alan Freeman, who is organizing Juneteenth shows in Galveston and Houston, encourages the casual use of the greeting: 'People wish each other a 'Merry Christmas' even if they're strangers. Juneteenth should be the same — warm, welcoming, and shared.'
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colorado bill that would establish standards for Black history education passes House
DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado House on Wednesday passed a bill that would establish standards for Black history and culture studies in the state. The sponsor of HB25-1149, Colorado Springs Democratic Rep. Regina English, said this bill is meant to give Colorado students a full understanding of Black Americans' contributions throughout the history of the U.S. The bill also comes as the Trump administration launches targeted rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in educational institutions across the country, with which Colorado has decidedly not complied. Colorado's K-12 education department will not comply with Trump Administration's DEI order The bill passed the House 45-20 and will now move to the state Senate for consideration. 'Black history is American history, and without a Comprehensive Black history curriculum in our public schools, students aren't receiving the full scope of achievements and contributions of Black Americans. We can help our students achieve a well-rounded education by developing and standardizing a comprehensive Black history curriculum in Colorado's public schools. From politics to engineering, Black Americans' contributions to society are vast. This bill helps ensure that students learn about the influential Black leaders who changed the course of history and our nation.' Rep. Regina English Under HB25-1149, Black historical and cultural studies are defined as 'an interdisciplinary program of elementary through secondary academic study that represents Black historical experiences through truthful, inclusive, complex narratives that connect with contemporary realities and highlights the innovations and cultural contributions of Black people in Colorado, America, and the world.' National Park Service restores original Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad webpage The bill would create a Black historical and cultural studies advisory committee in the Department of Education to recommend standards and materials that advance appropriate and comprehensive instruction of factual accounts of Black Americans' struggles and contributions across all fields. The bill requires the state board of education to adopt the standards on or before July 1, 2026, and school districts to incorporate those standards for schools starting in or after July 2028. President Donald Trump has recently taken aim at institutions focused on Black history, including the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture, saying in an executive order that the museum as a whole is engaging in a 'concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation's history.' Critics see Trump attacks on the 'Black Smithsonian' as an effort to sanitize racism in US history Instead of celebrating an 'unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness,' the order argues that a 'corrosive … divisive, race-centered ideology' has 'reconstructed' the nation 'as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.' It instructs Vice President JD Vance to review all properties, programs and presentations to prohibit programs that 'degrade shared American values' or 'divide Americans based on race.' The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
