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The Wrong Montgomery - A New Awakening Amidst the 2024 Election Chaos

Updated: Dec 31

The Wrong Montgomery: Unmasking America’s Deep-Rooted Racism in the 2024 Presidential RaceBy Kino Smith


As the dust settles on the 2024 presidential election, the deeper battle for America's soul has been laid bare. The question facing this nation is not just who holds the keys to the Oval Office but rather whether the country is ready to confront its long-standing racial and social inequities. This is a moment of reckoning — a time to look beyond the facade of political parties and examine the deeper currents shaping the nation’s trajectory.


In this critical analysis, the focus shifts from the political theater of party lines to the uncomfortable truths about America's foundation and what truly drives voter behavior. The series, The Wrong Montgomery, is an exploration not of Isaiah Montgomery, the visionary behind the all-Black town of Mound Bayou, but of the ideals he stood for — self-determination, economic independence, and a reclamation of place. His story serves as a stark contrast to today's America, where the promise of a “land of the free” remains largely unfulfilled for Black and marginalized communities.


White Voters and the 2024 Election: Old Patterns, New Realities


Donald Trump's 2024 victory was propelled primarily by a solid bloc of white voters, a demographic that has consistently been the backbone of his support since 2016. Data reveals that more than 8 in 10 Trump voters in this election were white, mirroring the trend seen in 2020. Despite Kamala Harris’ attempts to broaden her appeal, roughly two-thirds of her voters were also white, a coalition similar to Biden’s support base in the previous election. However, the numbers indicate that while Biden narrowly clinched the presidency four years ago, Harris couldn’t muster the same level of enthusiasm from white voters as Trump.


White voters' steadfast support for Trump, regardless of controversies that would be detrimental to any black politician, highlights the enduring racial divisions in America. Even in key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where Trump was defeated in 2020, his backing among white voters remained unwavering, unaffected by the events of January 6th. This demographic shift underscores a deeper underlying unease and solidification of beliefs where race and identity politics play a pivotal role. Trump's enduring appeal to white voters is not solely based on policy preferences but is also rooted in concerns about demographic shifts and a perceived erosion of cultural dominance.


The Shifting Tide Among Black Voters


Despite Kamala Harris retaining strong backing from Black voters, with approximately 80% of Black Americans supporting her, there is a rising sense of disappointment among younger Black voters who are becoming more doubtful of the Democratic Party's commitments.


Black voters, particularly younger men, are not necessarily showing support for Trump, but rather expressing their dissatisfaction with the current situation. Despite the Democratic Party relying on the consistent backing of Black voters for many years, systemic issues such as wealth inequality, mass incarceration, and police brutality continue to persist. The younger generation is beginning to question whether their votes are truly leading to significant change. Throughout American history, Black individuals have toiled more hours than any other group, for lower wages, and have experienced the worst outcomes, never managing to rise above the economic hardships, contradicting the "bootstrap theory."


The Latino Vote: A Subtle Drift Rightward


The Latino vote, often seen as a reliable Democratic stronghold, showed signs of softening in 2024. While Harris managed to secure a slight majority among Latino voters, her support was weaker than Biden’s in 2020. Approximately half of Latino men chose Harris, a noticeable drop from the 6 in 10 who backed Biden. Trump's gains among Latino voters reflect a complex realignment driven by concerns over the economy, immigration, and social issues. For some, Trump's tough-on-crime rhetoric and economic promises resonated more than the Democratic platform’s focus on social justice.


The Gender Divide: Modest Shifts in a Polarized Electorate


Gender played a crucial role in this election. Harris secured a narrow victory among women, winning 53% of their votes compared to Trump’s 46%. However, this margin was narrower than Biden’s advantage in 2020, where he won 55% of women voters. Trump made modest gains among both men and women, especially younger demographics, which indicates a shift in the traditional voting patterns that favored Democrats.


White women, in particular, remained a crucial base for Trump, with slightly more than half supporting him — consistent with 2020 figures. This demographic's steadfast support highlights the enduring appeal of Trump’s brand of populism and his ability to connect with voters who feel threatened by cultural and demographic changes.


The Doctrine of Discovery and the Fear of Replacement


The underlying currents of this election are not new. The fear-mongering around "white replacement" theory — the idea that demographic changes threaten the cultural and political power of white Americans — is rooted in a centuries-old ideology. The Doctrine of Discovery, a 1493 edict that sanctioned the colonization of lands inhabited by non-Christians, laid the foundation for the systematic disenfranchisement of Indigenous, Black, and Brown people. The echoes of this doctrine are still heard today in modern policies around immigration, voter suppression, and economic inequality.


The fear of losing dominance is rooted in a mindset of scarcity, in losing the perceived superiority that has defined the American identity since its beginning. Terms like "voter integrity" and "border security" are just new dog whistles for old anxieties. The reality is that America was founded on the exploitation of marginalized communities, with the belief that the systems in place would always work in the favor of white land owning men as intended — to uphold white supremacy. However, as demographic changes loom, many white individuals are realizing that the country is evolving in ways they do not recognize, and this transformation is unstoppable. They understand that they cannot prevent the inevitable shift towards becoming a minority, a scenario they had done everything to avoid. Trump's rise should serve as a wake-up call to Black Americans that they will not go quietly into the night. Our nation's troubled past provides no indication that this would be the case.


A Call to Action: Building Beyond the Ballot Box


As Isaiah Montgomery demonstrated during the reconstruction era, true power is not given; it is built. His vision of Mound Bayou as a self-sustaining Black community offers a blueprint for what is needed today. Black Americans cannot afford to wait for salvation from a broken political system. The answer lies in ownership — of our businesses, our land, our narratives, and our future.


The Balance Sheet, our modern-day Exodus, is more than just a platform; it’s a movement towards economic independence. By leveraging technology, media, and community networks, we are creating spaces where Black businesses can thrive. It’s about reclaiming our faith, not as a tool of oppression but as a source of strength, resilience, and liberation.

The 2024 election has shown us that change will not come from the top down. It’s time to stop waiting for permission and start building what we need with our own hands, just as our ancestors did. Let this be the moment we reclaim our power, not by seeking validation from a system that was never designed for us, but by creating a new system where we can truly thrive.


The journey ahead is clear: reclaim, rebuild, and renew. Together, we can turn the dream of self-determination into reality, one business, one community, one generation at a time.


This article reflects the views and opinions of Kino Smith and is part of the ongoing series, The Wrong Montgomery.



This is a portrait of Isaiah Montgomery, co-founder of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, an all-Black town established in 1887. Born into slavery, Montgomery became a leader who championed Black self-sufficiency and economic independence during the harsh post-Reconstruction era. His legacy stands as a testament to resilience and the power of self-governance.

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