Music mogul Diddy endorsed Democratic nominee Joe Biden for president while announcing his new “Our Black Party.”
In a lengthy Twitter thread posted on Friday, the rapper said that black people need to help get Trump out of office and then hold Biden’s feet to the fire.
“Things have got too serious. It would be irresponsible of me to have us hold our vote hostage,” he continued. “But it would also be irresponsible of me to let this moment go by and not make sure going forward we are doing what it takes to own our politics.”
Goals of the party from their web site...
+ Defunding The Police
It is time for us to envision a new reality for public safety in America. We demand that all levels of government divest from law enforcement and reinvest in comprehensive community development.
+ Guaranteed Income For All
Too many people, especially Black people, are excluded from participation in the economy. We know that those who are employed face low wages, unsafe working conditions, and risks of retaliation for advocating for workers’ rights. We also know that poverty has continued to exist in this country despite the highs of the economy--the economy alone is not the answer. We demand a guaranteed income for all.
+ Decriminialize Poverty
Laws are unfairly applied to Black people, particularly poor Black people. We are calling on local governments to stop making crimes of the very quality of life issues they should be working to fix. We demand that governments at every level remove imprisonment and exorbitant fines for quality of life offenses and end cash bail in the US.
+ Address Racism In Healthcare
From communities without adequate access to healthy food and preventive care to high rates of maternal mortality for Black women to disproportionate rates of deaths due to COVID-19, the healthcare system in America has failed Black people. We demand healthcare for all, equitable access to comprehensive community-based care and reproductive health services, and ongoing action-oriented research on health disparities.
+ Grow Black Businesses
+ The One Thousand
We have seen that a system run by people who are not committed to the Black agenda will pass and support laws that undermine Black existence. We will elect at least 1,000 Black people to positions of power at every level of government that support the Black agenda.
+ Statewide Equity Officers
State laws and programs are developed without considering the impacts on Black people. We demand that Governors of all 50 states appoint a cabinet-level advisor to ensure that all state programs are developed with an equity and justice lens.
+ High-Quality and Affordable Education
Whether due to their class, race, or zip code, Black students are deprived of high-quality educations. We demand investment in strengthening curriculum, instruction, learning environments, and access for Black students at every level.
+ Legalize Marijuana
Marijuana is now a growing and lucrative industry for many. Historically, Black peoples have been the victim of unjust laws and further barred from participation in this market. We demand that all states legalize marijuana, immediately release all prisoners held for marijuana-related offenses, and expunge the criminal records of those with past convictions and violations.
+ Build Intergenerational Wealth
A history of redlining, racism in appraisals, predatory lending practices, and unchecked gentrification have stripped Black families of years of wealth-building through homeownership. We demand the removal of all barriers to homeownership and fairness in lending for Black people.
In a lengthy Twitter thread posted on Friday, the rapper said that black people need to help get Trump out of office and then hold Biden’s feet to the fire.
“Things have got too serious. It would be irresponsible of me to have us hold our vote hostage,” he continued. “But it would also be irresponsible of me to let this moment go by and not make sure going forward we are doing what it takes to own our politics.”
Goals of the party from their web site...
+ Defunding The Police
It is time for us to envision a new reality for public safety in America. We demand that all levels of government divest from law enforcement and reinvest in comprehensive community development.
+ Guaranteed Income For All
Too many people, especially Black people, are excluded from participation in the economy. We know that those who are employed face low wages, unsafe working conditions, and risks of retaliation for advocating for workers’ rights. We also know that poverty has continued to exist in this country despite the highs of the economy--the economy alone is not the answer. We demand a guaranteed income for all.
+ Decriminialize Poverty
Laws are unfairly applied to Black people, particularly poor Black people. We are calling on local governments to stop making crimes of the very quality of life issues they should be working to fix. We demand that governments at every level remove imprisonment and exorbitant fines for quality of life offenses and end cash bail in the US.
+ Address Racism In Healthcare
From communities without adequate access to healthy food and preventive care to high rates of maternal mortality for Black women to disproportionate rates of deaths due to COVID-19, the healthcare system in America has failed Black people. We demand healthcare for all, equitable access to comprehensive community-based care and reproductive health services, and ongoing action-oriented research on health disparities.
+ Grow Black Businesses
+ The One Thousand
We have seen that a system run by people who are not committed to the Black agenda will pass and support laws that undermine Black existence. We will elect at least 1,000 Black people to positions of power at every level of government that support the Black agenda.
+ Statewide Equity Officers
State laws and programs are developed without considering the impacts on Black people. We demand that Governors of all 50 states appoint a cabinet-level advisor to ensure that all state programs are developed with an equity and justice lens.
+ High-Quality and Affordable Education
Whether due to their class, race, or zip code, Black students are deprived of high-quality educations. We demand investment in strengthening curriculum, instruction, learning environments, and access for Black students at every level.
+ Legalize Marijuana
Marijuana is now a growing and lucrative industry for many. Historically, Black peoples have been the victim of unjust laws and further barred from participation in this market. We demand that all states legalize marijuana, immediately release all prisoners held for marijuana-related offenses, and expunge the criminal records of those with past convictions and violations.
+ Build Intergenerational Wealth
A history of redlining, racism in appraisals, predatory lending practices, and unchecked gentrification have stripped Black families of years of wealth-building through homeownership. We demand the removal of all barriers to homeownership and fairness in lending for Black people.
