Race & Representation

There are two types of representation. There is identity representation and substantive representation. Identity representation is when a person represents you outwardly, either by the color of their skin, their nationality, heritage, language, or even their alma mater. substantive representation is when a person represents you with similar ideas or with policy which is beneficial to you. A black male Democrat would be substantively represented by Rep. Pelosi but would not have identity representation, whereas Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas would give the same black male Democrat identity representation but no substantive representation.

My point is that there is a difference between the two, an important difference. However, oftentimes decisions, such as voting, are made based on identity representation on the hope that that will lead to substantive representation. It does not always work out.

Now lets think about President Obama and his support from black voters, 95% of whom voted for him. Now, if this were the only fact known, it would seem black voters are voting based purely on identity representation. He shares the same color skin so must represent my views. If 95% of white voters in the 2008 election had not voted for presidential hopeful Obama, but for McCain, I would argue there would be calls of racism. Obviously the fact that President Obama is black encouraged more black people to vote (over 2 million more than 2004), and obviously some voted for him solely because of his identity (important note: I understand the importance of a black person being elected President of the country, not very long ago Jim Crow laws and segregated schools were still commonplace and racism is still a problem of our era, his election was a proud statement to the world and ourselves of our social progression of acceptance and truly viewing each other equally, I in no way mean to minimize this accomplishment)  However!, this is normal and not in any way more significant than evangelicals voting for people who share their religion, or any other identity indicator.

How do we know the overwhelming support by blacks for President Obama was not purely identity voting, because blacks have always voted overwhelmingly for the Democratic ticket in the last decade, whether that candidate was white or black. 90% and 88% of all voters in 2000 and 2004 voted for the Democratic ticket, which rose to 95% in 2008. Black voters vote for the Democratic ticket because they feel they will be substantively represented by that party, which is why they vote in that manner, not because of identity.

I therefore do not believe that black voters mindlessly voted for Obama based on identity representation, but largely did so because they believed in "change" and what he had to offer. If a black man ran on the Republican ticket or another ticket, I do not think we would see his black vote percentage above 15%.

Once again, I would like to reiterate that I understand the fervor and support for Obama, I understand the importance of a black man being elected. I wrote this because I feel there is a misnomer that black people blindly followed and supported Obama because he was black, that they were lied to about his policies, when in fact this is not the case, the vast majority voted for Obama for the same reasons they voted for Gore, because they feel represented by their proposed or believed policies.





Exit Polls - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times

2000- blacks voted for Gore 90% & comprised 10% of all voters

2004- blacks voted for Kerry 88% & comprised 11% of all voters

2008- blacks voted for Obama 95% & comprised 13% of all voters

2 million more blacks voted in 2008 than 2004 (Census.gov)