Diddy – We Need to Own Our Politics
By Sabeeta Bidasie Singh
First there was Kanye West, next came Sean Combs (Diddy). It seems that celebrities are leveraging their iconic status and big bank rolls to insert themselves into politics.
In a video uploaded by Revolt TV, Diddy talks about the idea of launching ‘Our Black Party’.
Diddy is asking the black community to mobilize their votes and make sure they own their political ideologies to become part of the narrative. (Revolt TV)
As I watched music magnate Diddy endorse the Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris alongside his “Our Black Party”, he talked about his movement to get President Trump out and bring in Biden on a ticket of accountability. There is a responsibility to the black people in America because ‘Black Lives Matter’ and representation should be equitable.
It is a common opinion that there is a clear sense of division in the US that has the distinct stench of discrimination. Diddy suggested that we are on the brink of a “race war” if this is not addressed. Diddy makes a strong appeal to the people of the US to own their politics and take ownership of his share of responsibility in creating as much awareness of this from the power he holds in the hip-hop/black community. Black has power – use it he suggests.
Although Diddy did not provide any specific example, he went on to talk about how far the current president is willing to take it in the race to divide the US.
Change is what we need, according to Diddy and a Biden ticket represents change. On that backdrop Diddy announced that he had formed his own political party and started promoting “Our Black Party”, a platform he is hoping to give him the opportunity to address the real issues affecting people of color in America today. His call is for unity in order to succeed and promises if he makes it into office, he will be addressing the needs of the black community.
Over the last decades we have seen how Diddy has leveraged himself in the communities he serves although he says that launching this political party is possibly going to be his boldest move ever. This move is to give the over 40 million black citizens more choices as well as representation. He believes that having a stand alone “Black Party” will create a difference in having a voice on black interest to address the social, economic and racial issues black citizens face today.
It is a fact the political parties are not necessarily the drivers of change but it’s the people who make up the party that are the real enablers of change. Diddy is asking the black community to mobilize their votes and make sure they own their political ideologies to become part of the narrative.
You can follow Sabeeta on Twitter @sabeeta1009.