Detroit pastor 'displeased' by Kamala Harris' strategy to win over Black male voters: "We're not political pawns"

A Detroit pastor claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris was "exploiting" the Black vote by holding an event with podcaster Charlamagne tha God in an attempt to gain support from Black males.

During "Fox & Friends," Pastor Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church in Detroit explained why he was "offended" by Harris' decision.

"Sewell told Lawrence Jones on Tuesday that he had never been so offended in his life. He was outraged that a woman was bringing a false god, Charlamagne, to a community with 4,500 churches, all people of faith. He was also offended that she was bringing a podcaster to talk to Black men about politics, a retired athlete who was failing, Magic Johnson, to Flint, and Oprah to Oakland County, as if she understood the plight and the struggles of people who looked like him."

"We will not tolerate virtue signaling or identity politics. Black men are not to be treated as political infants. We are aware of the Democratic Party's exploitation of us for over six decades, and we are demanding freedom, just as Moses did to Pharaoh, saying, 'Let my people go.'"

This week, Harris rejected polling that suggests she has lost the support of Black men during a 23-minute conversation with a Black-centric entertainment platform, "The Shade Room."

Inquiries were made regarding polls showing a decrease in the Democrats' advantage among Black voters, specifically among Black men.

How do you react when you hear those numbers and see in the polls that Black men aren't as enthusiastic or passionate about you?

Harris responded, "One, that's not my experience. Two, Election Day has not arrived yet."

Harris stated that she is not taking these voters for granted and is actively working to gain their support.

She stated, "Black men are not unique; they anticipate that you must gain their vote. As a result, I am here."

She stated that it is her responsibility to gain their support, hence she is discussing her career accomplishments with people. She emphasized her commitment to assisting small businesses and pledged to continue doing so if elected as president.

A recent poll by the New York Times and Siena College shows that Vice President Kamala Harris' support among Black voters has decreased since the 2020 election. In 2020, Harris received approximately 90% of the Black vote, but this has dropped to 78% in 2021. Additionally, Harris' support among Black men has decreased even more significantly, with only 70% saying they would vote for her in November, down from President Biden's 85% in 2020.

"Sewell stated that she believes she can win the Black vote through entertainment, but the community is offended and demands real solutions to the challenges faced in urban America."

This week, Harris unveiled her "Opportunity Agenda for Black Men," which includes offering 1 million fully forgivable loans to Black entrepreneurs and others to launch their businesses, promoting education, training, and mentorship programs to help Black men secure well-paying jobs in high-demand industries, and providing pathways to become teachers.

This report was contributed to by Planet Chronicle' Kristine Parks, Nikolas Lanum, and Paul Steinhauser.