Democracy cannot function in a healthy manner with uniformed, ignorant, and uninterested voters. Yes, the persons interviewed may not be representative but national poll after national poll shows similar trends--low information voters. What this means is that highly motivated ideologues have influence far beyond their numbers. But who needs polls to prove our ignorance--Look at who we have in the White House and in both houses of Congress. We deserve what we get. David
7
Yes, money for voter contact is great, but what about those folks that have to travel three counties in order to register to vote? What, if anything, is being done to address that?
10
Instead of going after Roy Moore, Doug Jones should focus his attention on Donald Trump. Now that Alabamians have seen Trump in action, convince them that a Democratic Senate will be the best way to "Make America Great Again."
5
Where is the national Democratic Party here? Absent, I guess. The Republicans have done nothing other that stonewall President Obama for 8 years and there's no sense of fighting back. Here is the opportunity if ever there was one. Is there no strategy for energizing and educating voters? One of the reason we have this so-called president is because the Democrats don't seem able to make voters aware of the issues, Wake me when its over.
5
Really funny article. Interesting that local people dont seem to care, enough. This is the story of democracy everywhere.
5
This is disgraceful reporting. 10 random people at a shopping mall and you feel able to draw conclusions about the people of Alabama? Give me a break. Please quit. I can't even find the words to articulate why your coverage is so offensive. But I think when I compare the photo you've chosen, of a woman in a bonnet on her porch, with the photo from your sympathetic profile of a fascist, my sense of disgust with your reporting increases. If this is the best reporting available to us now, I'm very afraid for our country.
8
A Moore win will be a white stamping of all sexual harassment, won't it? Or will it just provide the world with the undeniable and irrefutable proof of (the lack of) morale habitus of the Alabama electorate?
4
It is appalling that a majority of the 10 African Americans interviewed by you had not heard of Roy Moore or Doug Jones or the senate race, even though Doug Jones had prosecuted Klansmen for bombing the church and killing four black girls. What is it that accounts for this lack of care on their part? Would it matter if Roy Moore had been the bomber himself? It is said that we get the Government that we deserve, but it seems that we get the Government that the most undeserving of us deserve.
13
It's amazing that many white voters vote against their own interests by supporting Trump and that - apparently in Alabama - many black voters might be hurting their own interests by not voting. If anything, the long and historic struggles for the right to vote for all citizens are disregarded. When we take voting for granted, we all lose.
22
“I am concerned about the allegations,” said Ms. Flowers, founder of the Alabama Center for Rural Enterprise, an antipoverty group. “But I’m also concerned that neither candidate is talking about issues that everyday Alabamians are concerned about now. That people have got sewer water backing up into their homes. That we’ve had hookworm discovered along the Selma to Montgomery trail. Why do we have homeless veterans? There’s so many issues out there that aren’t being addressed.
But Ms. Flowers, please ask yourself- who is more likely to help your local officials with these problems? Moore or Jones? From my perspective it is Jones hands down. Please vote and get your family and friends to vote too. The country needs this- even if this senatorial seat will likely revert to an R in the next election.
25
You ask who better would help with local problems Jones or Moore.
If people are unaware of elections, then the elections are probably not affecting the people positively. We see here people are paying attention to Black voters, but what will happen once the official is elected?
One state over, this is what MacArthur Genius grant recipient, Jesmyn Ward, has to say about representation,
"But, you know, it's really frustrating to live in a place where you can see that, you know, the people in power do not care about your community. They don't care about your family. They don't care about people like you. They don't invest in your neighborhoods. They don't invest in your community.
You know, when I think about, like, just living in Mississippi and I feel like my elected representatives never represent my interests, ever, it's very frustrating because I can see what happens when generations of people live in poverty. I can see what happens when generations of people, like, struggle to bear up under the yoke of racism - of systemic racism."
3
This is how Commander Bone Spurs was elected in the first place. Too many people have to learn about the responsibilities of voting the hard way.
9
It's amazing to see no other comments in this forum. It's an echo of the article. Here is an election which has been the subject of national news from before the Republican primary, won by Roy Moore. Yet at this late hour before the general election, there seems to be much apathy or lack of knowledge of this senate race, the issues at stake & national implications for the victor.
There's a clear choice between the two candidates, for the people of Alabama to make. While it seems many people have at least heard of Roy Moore, Doug Jones is more or less invisible, even within Alabama.
Neither the National Democratic Committee nor Alabama Democratic Party are willing to commit to electing Jones. It's as though the Democrats are too interested in either sure things or petty disputes to take a risk on doing something BIG to upset the apple cart both in Alabama & Washington DC.
If this is a race the Democrats can win (although not a sure bet) & gaining the support of the disenfranchised African-American voters in Alabama is the key to winning, they should be doing everything within their power to take the necessary risks to make that happen. It will accomplish at least three major goals in one victory, 1) give the national Republicans a big defeat in the Senate, while exposing Trump's message as an empty shell; 2) show that Democrats can make inroads into Red States & 3) show the muscle of the African-American voters even as others try to marginalize their contributions.
33
RE: "six of them said they were not aware that a Senate race was underway."
Is this a based on hopelessness or a lack of engagement?
If people are not engaged than it is no wonder that politicians can do as they wish.
The old saying: Decisions are made by those who show up.
17
Ten people at a shopping mall is not a very large sample. TV ads for Jones have been running frequently for months. There are signs everywhere. How oblivious does one have to be not to notice? I get the feeling that folks do not want to talk to reporters about the election or who they are voting for. There is still a lot of intimidation of voters that goes on. A person's job could be at stake if the boss finds out how the person is voting. The state is so gerrymandered that the most active Dems are all in one district and those in the rest of the state have little or no representation or voice. After a few generations of not having a voice, they lose hope. Jones does offer a chance in this statewide race but it is hard not to be cynical. Alabama is not in danger of losing it historical place at the bottom ranks along with Mississippi.
1
A lot of people fought to give blacks the right to vote, some of them gave their lives, some of them were not black. It would be a shame if that was in vain.
Democrats across all demographics need to understand that its not enough to march, protest, or complain to a reporter. We have to vote, in every election. at every level. It really shouldn't have to be this way, but black lives will matter more when black votes matter more.
34
Another words, a race-based election. This is getting too much. Our country is being split apart because of articles such as this.
Is getting blacks to vote in a bloc because of a racism angle an example of "hate" speech?
3
I worry that lack of support from the state Democratic party and Mr. Jones' lack of targeted outreach will cost him the election. Remember, black women voted D at a rate of 94% during the 2016 presidential election.
8
Apparently the Dems do not give the "black" voters what they want. What do they want? Does anyone know? The writer identifies religion. That's Republican. What is missing from this story is what, if any, "black" organizations are involved with Jones and their plan to motivate the "black" vote.
5
These dopes who still believe that Moore is a 'Christian' are the uneducated that president pig loves so much. They are incapable of thinking logically, of opening their minds, of seeing what's under their noses....even when it stinks to high heaven. It's all about the great chimera and disappointed....'faith'. We are dead ducks with so many dopes in our midst.
15
What is wrong with Democrats? Why aren't they launching a full court press for this Senate seat? It's infuriating.
17
Well, the pervert is going to win. He will join the other one at the top of the ticket. How is it possible for people to be so misinformed? Don't even know there's a Senate race going on? I'm sure they know about their favorite tv show or artists gossip.
24
“Mr. Perry said the Jones campaign is hoping to make contact with “every single likely African-American voter” five or six times before the election, by mail, phone or otherwise. But he also said he has “gotten absolutely no help from the state Democratic Party,” saying that it had failed to finance the campaign and refused to share its executive committee’s contact information.” It is this reason alone that the National Democratic Party decertify the current party and start over. The current party leaders, Ms. Worley and Mr. Reed, are relics of the past who refuse to allow new blood into the party or accept new ideas from younger more in touch with millennials.
The old methods of GOTV of paying African-American ministers does not work in the modern age, case in point the recent election of a new mayor of Birmingham where the young well organized Randall Woodfin defeated the “old school” “old method mayor William Bell.
I am of the opinion that Mr. Jones can win if he can tap into the young people who help drive Mr. Woodfin’s win because they have a better grasp of the current state of retail politics.
6
If African Americans can’t “engage “ against a racist, child molester and support a man who prosecuted the Klan, what little hope I have may be gone for good.
39
If the people of Alabama send a pedophile to the US Senate they should expect to suffer the consequences for their actions and the shame of an entire nation.
10
The problem is that it won't be just Alabama who will suffer with Moore in the Senate. if they were only able to keep him there where he belongs so the rest of the good people would not have him inflicted on us.
2
The fact that many of the potential voters that you interviewed were clueless about the election speaks volumes about why our democracy is dying.
28
Mr. Fausset seems to base his reporting on different groups in our society by talking to just a few of them in shopping centers and restaurants. Whether it's white separatists in Ohio hanging out at Applebees' or getting pasta at Krogers, or if it's African-Americans in Alabama shopping at Wal-Mart or eating at a Subway.
Maybe the author of these two recent articles should expand his search for interview subjects beyond the strip malls and fast food chains. He just may see a broader range of views and opinions among demographics, since I'm confident not all black people eat Subway salads and I can guarantee most of us white people around Dayton, OH aren't eating Riblets at Applebee's.
7
Voter connection is key, but perhaps minority voters in Alabama need to realize that Jones will best represent their issues. I cannot speak for Alabaman voters, but the article exemplified that he was on the right side of history long ago!
Voters of Alabama, you must get out and vote! Our prior generations of Black-Americans fought, suffered and some even died in trying to vote! Even if this man is not your ideal candidate, he would most likely be the one to listen to your concerns, issues, and demands!
4
It has been reported that Judge Moore blamed bisexuals, lesbians, transgenders, homosexuals for trying to undermined his campaign. I noticed he forgot one group ...pediphiles.
21
As someone watching from afar, I hope that every registered person of color... and, yes, white is a color along with every other shade of the rainbow... will get out and vote their conscience... But please exercise your right to vote and let the chips fall where they may. This election is far too important to leave your vote in front of the TV or at the grocery store or some other place that’s not a voting booth in Alabama.
4
The lack of knowledge about the current senatorial election among poor and working class black people in Alabama is a consequence of their experience as "the lowest of the low" in one of the two most backwards states in the nation. And, of course, the problem is compounded by the infighting among the state Democrat officials. Barack or Michelle to the rescue, please! Obama campaigned for the successful Democratic candidate in the recent Virginia governor’s race. But, even without that boost, Virginia black turn-out would have been strong because African Americans in Virginia generally have much higher rates of education and economic opportunity than African Americans in Alabama.
6
If 6 out of 10 voters don't even know there is a Senate race in progress, then Doug Jones is toast. Not sure how you can live in Alabama and not be aware. What does it take to get people's attention? If Moore wins this election, the responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of the Alabama state Democratic Party leadership who have apparently rolled over and gone to sleep.
10
Glad the Democrats are finally realizing who their real constituents are and reaching out to them. And glad African American voters in Alabama are making demands on the Democrats. Best news I've heard all day.
2
Please! Vote!
1
Yes, we have a duty to vote. But why is it, yet again, black people's job to save democracy? What about if all the white people just didn't vote for a racist pedophile?
21
In this case, black folk could CHANGE THIS ELECTION OUTCOME with near certainty if they showed up in significant numbers to vote. Or, you know, you could continue to spew "whataboutism" about white voters and ensure that Roy Moore wins.
5
Combined with voter suppression, there is apathy in the communities of color not only in Alabama, but across this country. Traditionally voting Democratic has left many feeling used by the Democrats due to no substantive gains in communities of color. While they may never vote for the other side, there is a feeling of futility of voting at all.
15
Every vote not cast is half a vote for the other side.
2
Bill, do you live in a black community? I beg to differ regarding no substantive gains in communities of color. As a black woman I don't think you know what you are talking about and only spewing the same crap as your President when he disparaged people of color during the election. Not all black communities are ghettos. Many black communities are doing well, I live in one. While other people were sitting on their behinds waiting for their privilege to kick in, black folks were getting educated and getting jobs or starting businesses. I don't feel used by the Democrats because as someone who THINKS I am aware which party has my best interest at heart and it's not the Republican Party. By the way there is apathy in all communities not just ours and the people of Alabama, black and white need to vote.
2
Black voters will ask themselves, How would voting for Doug Jones, help us? Sadly the answer is, Voting for Doug Jones won't make ANY difference to African-Americans.
Plus, most white Christian Alabamans have NO problems (other than not wanting to be sneered at by normal human beings from outside their state) voting for a man who may have raped a child.
It is important to remember that during slavery, married white Christian men regularly raped their black slaves, and that the children of such violent unions were slaves by law.
The fathers' children were not legally the children of their fathers because white Christian "pro-lifers" have never really thought that black lives matter, either before or after pregnancy. Most white southerners still think "The only good (fill in the blank with the word of your choice) is a dead one."
9
"Black voters will ask themselves, How would voting for Doug Jones, help us? Sadly the answer is, Voting for Doug Jones won't make ANY difference to African-Americans."
This kind of thinking is Republican propaganda used to suppress the black vote. Trump literally used this line of reasoning on stage. Suggesting that pushing the GOP out of power won't make any difference in the lives of African-Americans is wrong. Full stop.
16
I agree with Caroline. There is a world of difference, with regard to the life of each voter, between a country where Roy Moore can't be a senator and one in which he can. And that better country will actually be created by voters when they turn out to deny him, because doing so will be a confirmation and an institutionalization of the empowerment that Roy Moore would deny to them.
Every voter in Alabama should feel part of a tremendous march of humanity, with Martin Luther King, Jr. at the front, when they step out of their homes and head to the polling place on election day.
3
Look for ramped-up voter suppression as the election nears. Although I don't live in AL anymore I see friends on facebook in-state trying to debunk the misinformation that is being peddled about who is registered and how to vote. Let's not forget this was the state--and this is documented-- that closed a number of DMVs in African-American communities before last election so that people could not have access to required ID. No tactic is beneath them.
56
As this last election has shown, if we want to live in daily kaos, having your health care, income, threatened to be taken away. It is your right to vote your passion not your brain. If you want to live in a civilized society that has standing in the world base on character, standards rooted in facts then cast your educated vote for the person who best represents your short /long term views , hopes for the country. Being well informed is an admirable trait.
8
Jones prosecuted and convicted Klansman for the 1963 bombings. It was a cold case at that. What else do people of color in Alabama need to fulfill their obligation as Americans and vote?
50
Wow.
1
The gift that keeps on giving to Republicans - non participation in the voting process.
70
“Roy Moore?” Ms. Boyd said, between bites of a salad. “He was a news anchor, something like that?”
People truly get the elected officials they deserve.
It's hard staying optimistic that the cloud of doom that is Trump will eventually pass, and even harder in the face of this kind of voter apathy.
What does it take to make some of these people wake up?
64
@Andrew. What more does it take to make "these people" wake up? Education. I have done volunteer teaching of basic reading and writing to adults in Alabama. Illiteracy or marginal literacy is not uncommon. The disparity in education budgets between white and black school districts in Alabama is likely enormous. Even more important, even in functionally integrated school districts, is a pervasive sense of primary identity of blacks with "their own" parochial communities rather than with the official government institutions.
3
As a black woman I will say (even though it pains me to do so) that some of our people will never wake up. They don't read, don't follow politics and have no clue about what is happening in the world, Washington, their State or their own neighborhoods for that matter. Sad. According to the article, some have sewer water backing up into their homes but they have no idea that the way to get things like this fixed is to put people in office who can help them. Instead they don't bother to vote. Some of those interviewed didn't even know there was a senate race going on. I mean really, how could you not know someone is running for a senate seat in your state? And the preacher who supports Moore says all one needs to know about the ignorance of some black folks. I grew up around uneducated so-called preachers who could barely read and only marginally spoke better English than those they were supposedly ministering to. It's sad that some people of color do not pay attention to things which could adversely affect them and their children because they choose to live in a bubble, just don't care to find out what is going on or don't think their votes count and we see where that has gotten us.
13
We have to get out and vote. I don't care who you vote for, but we must vote. We can't let an activist minority, of whatever political stripe, co-opt the process because the majority is apathetic.
20
Are black people still allowed to vote in Alabama? If so, this may be their last chance to do so.
51