Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party. And they feel the heavy burden of this election. – CNN
But now on top of that, three times a week, 29-year-old Caldwell-Liddell is racing to get Detroit voters, especially the black community, to, in her words, "wake up."
Trump's Michigan victory was one of the biggest surprises of 2016. He won the state by just 10,704 votes. Wayne County, which includes Detroit, the largest Black-majority city in the country, was critical to that result. Hillary Clinton still won the county by a large margin -- but she received about 76,000 fewer votes than President Barack Obama did in 2012.
While Caldwell-Liddell is motivated and focused on preventing Trump's re-election, she also says, "the Democratic Party has not done a good job at all in taking care of communities like ours." And it's she clear she struggles with that burden.
"(Democrats) take us for granted because they know that Black women are going to help them get the big wins they need, where it matters. But they also know that they can give us the bare minimum, knowing that we aren't going to choose the other side," she said. "
"It says we still got a long way to go when the backbone of the country is the most neglected piece of the country," she said.
She isn't coordinating with any campaign, but she is pounding the pavement at bus stops and outside convenience stores to try to make sure Detroiters are registered to vote and are going to vote. Many of them are disillusioned by the systemic racism they see within their city, the President's response to the coronavirus pandemic that has hit minority communities hardest and the economic inequality that has persisted for decades in Detroit and is only made worse by the pandemic.
"I know for a fact that if just a portion of the folks who sat home in 2016 made it to the polls, had someone to empower them to do it, that could have changed the outcome for Michigan," Caldwell-Liddell said.
"On countless days when I go out and canvass, I will go up and talk to someone and they'll say, 'Listen, lady, I know that what you're saying is probably right. I know that you just want me to get out and vote. But I'm sorry. I've got gotta feed my kids. I don't even have time to listen to what you're saying,'" she said. "That's a part of why I started doing this work with Mobilize Detroit...because at this point, this is our survival now. What happens politically is a part of our survival. And there's no escaping that."
Fighting against apathy
Amber Davis, 29, is one of those people who sat out the 2016 election after supporting Obama in 2012.
"I didn't like Trump and I didn't like Hillary," Davis said. "I didn't really care who won that election."
Davis, a part-time massage therapist and full-time student pursuing a career in IT, says she cares now. She's voting for Biden, even though she says she doesn't really like him either.
"If I get Trump out of office by voting for Biden, then so be it," she said. Davis adds it is the President's handling of the pandemic that clinched her vote this time. "This coronavirus and everything that's going on, it is horrible. So he got to go."
She says she is disillusioned by politics in general because she says no matter which party wins the White House, her life doesn't get any easier.
"We feel like our votes don't matter. We feel like it's just a waste of time," Davis said.
Caldwell-Liddell knows what it is like to not have time for politics, especially presidential politics. In just the past year, she says her family was forced out of a home they had rented for the past four years. Then the next home had plumbing issues and instead of fixing it, the landlord simply just had the water shutoff, requiring Caldwell-Liddell to take them to court to get anything fixed. In the midst of all of this, she lost her pregnancy.
"I ended up having a stillbirth at seven months pregnant, living in a house with no water in a city that did not care to take care of me," she said. "And things like that are allowed to happen because when folks like me are too worried about surviving to pay attention to what's happening down at City Hall."
She is now turning that apathy into action.
"I know that as a voter and as a Black woman, that there is a job that I have to do in order to get a representative who will come close to protecting my people in office. But I'm not necessarily excited about having another representative there who really does not inherently understand the needs of our community."
Caldwell-Liddell is voting for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, spending free time that she doesn't have trying to get others in Detroit to vote for him, but she's not excited about it. This election for her is more a vote against Trump.
"I don't really have many feelings towards Joe Biden one way or the other," she says. "Kamala (Harris) makes me feel a lot better than Joe, to be honest with you."
She says getting Trump out of office means life or death for her community. "Donald Trump is a president that does not care about people that look like me, about people like me, in any shape or form."
Sitting out any election is something 63-year-old Markita Blanchard simply does not understand.
"I've always voted straight down the street," she says while sitting in her backyard filled with the plants and flowers she shows off with pride. "There is no justifiable excuse not to."
"People died for that right for us to have the opportunity to vote," she added.
Like Caldwell-Liddell, Blanchard has also lived in Detroit her whole life. She and her three brothers still live in the house they grew up in, now all taking care of their 93-year-old mother.
Blanchard works as a janitor at a local public school. While she describes her childhood in the westside of Detroit as a "fairytale," she describes life today as a struggle.
"We're not exactly living paycheck to paycheck. I consider myself living paycheck and a half to paycheck," she said.
The main street in her neighborhood looks nothing like how Blanchard describes it from her childhood. A "ghost town" now sits where grocery stores, dry cleaners, Black-owned gas stations and a movie theatre once stood. This economic collapse is one reason Blanchard is voting for Biden. She says she's with him "100%," reserving more colorful language to describe Trump.
"He's full of s***. I'm saying he has done nothing," Blanchard says with an apology. "It's like we're living in a sitcom and it's not funny. It's not funny at all."
"I've had people say, well, he's not my President. I didn't vote," Blanchard recalls with visible anger. "I say, if you did not vote, you did vote for him."
Impact of coronavirus and police shootings
One critical pursuit of the Biden campaign in Michigan is to turn out those voters who didn't vote in 2016. But the Trump campaign is also taking steps to court those same people, including setting up an office just down the road from the Democratic Party's on Detroit's West side, covered with signs declaring "Black Voices for Trump."
"I've never seen it. I've never seen it ever, ever before," said President Pro Tempore of the Detroit City Council Mary Sheffield. "What that tells me is the importance of not only Michigan but Detroit in the black vote, the importance of the black vote...because both parties need us."
Sheffield says she is worried about what she senses is still a lack of enthusiasm this late in the game among Democrats in Detroit. She thinks the coronavirus pandemic is partly to blame.
"Joe Biden is not really the most exciting person. And I think, unfortunately, in light of COVID, we lost that personal touch with him that a lot of communities need to get them excited and to get them engaged," Sheffield said.
The coronavirus has disproportionally hit Black communities across the country, and Detroit is no exception. African Americans have made up 62.2% of the more than 14,000 confirmed cases in Detroit and 82.9% of the deaths.
While coronavirus may have hurt grassroot engagement for the campaigns, Sheffield says a different issue is sure to motivate Black voters.
"What we saw with George Floyd did spark a reaction in so many people and I think that's going to help also increase some of the voter turnout that we see in Detroit," she said.
Federal action in the police killing of Breonna Taylor is the one thing Davis says could actually swing her vote and convince her to vote for Trump.
"He could get Breonna Taylor's killers arrested, that's what he could do," she said. "I would definitely vote for Trump."
Taylor's death also weighs heavily on Wendy Caldwell-Liddell.
"When you're black in America, you know racism is alive and well," she says when asked about it.
She pauses, looks off, and shifts in her chair.
"Now I have to battle with that on top of the thoughts of when I send my son into the world," she said. "And now it's when me and my daughter are at home asleep, minding our business. Now, I've got to think about that, too."
Read the original here:
Black women are the backbone of the Democratic Party. And they feel the heavy burden of this election. - CNN
- Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks. He's shown little interest in doing so - Stamford Advocate - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks. Hes shown little interest in doing so - WTOP - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democrats Have One Brutal Path to Survival if the Supreme Court Kills the Voting Rights Act - Slate - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Thune says he offered Democrats a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end government shutdown - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Virginia Democrats continue strong fundraising trend ahead of election - WVIR - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- LEADER JEFFRIES: DEMOCRATS ARE NOT GOING TO BEND AND WERE NOT GOING TO BREAK BECAUSE WE ARE STANDING UP FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE Congressman Hakeem... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Older Democrats are getting crushed by younger primary foes in the cash wars - Axios - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- The House Democrats who were outraised by primary challengers: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, ready to reject government funding bill for 10th time - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Speaker Johnson on Squawk Box: Senate Democrats are Playing Shameful Political Games with the Safety and Security of the American People - Congressman... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- W.Va. Democrats' tour aims to reconnect with voters, gather input for future policies - WTOV - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democrats Lay Out Damning Examples of ICEs Tactics in Chicago - NOTUS News of the United States - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Former FTC Chair Lina Khan Urges Democrats to Rethink Federal Agency Function at IOP Forum - The Harvard Crimson - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democratic senators want investigation into Noem's TSA video that blamed Democrats for the shutdown - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Americans shouldn't be punished so Democrats can 'score cheap political points,' says White House official - Fox Business - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- What happens when airports refuse to play video of Kristi Noem blaming the shutdown on Democrats - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Dont Blame the Democrats for Trumps Revenge Tour - The Atlantic - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Multiple Texas airports are refusing to play video from DHS Noem blaming Democrats for government shutdown - The Texas Tribune - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Maryland, Virginia Democrats to Trump administration: Reopen the federal government - Maryland Matters - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Airports are refusing to play a Kristi Noem video blaming Democrats for the shutdown - NPR - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Assembly Democrats vote for GOP bills, voice objections in amendments - Wisconsin Examiner - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats Are Playing Politics With Our Troops Pay - Representative Tom Cole | (.gov) - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- House Speaker Johnson says he wont negotiate with Democrats on the shutdown - CNN - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Republican Rep. Mike Lawler on his calls for Democrats to reopen the government - KOSU - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Several U.S. airports declining to play DHS video blaming Democrats for government shutdown - CBS News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Leggat-Barr 28: Democrats cant win by playing it safe - The Brown Daily Herald - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats threaten to see Trump team 'in court' over 'illegal' firings as shutdown battle escalates - Fox News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Pelosi fired up as California is poised to boost Democrats in play for House - MSNBC News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Maryland Democrats lead rally outside budget office in DC to end federal worker cuts - WYPR - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats Senate Majority Hopes Hang on Three Candidates Older Than 65 - NOTUS News of the United States - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- The two words Democrats are avoiding in praising the Israel-Hamas deal - MSNBC News - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats criticize Wisconsin State Senate for only meeting seven times since January - WEAU - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Democrats press Bondi over concerns DOJ is being weaponized to target Trumps foes - NPR - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats can use the government shutdown to thwart Trump's authoritarianism - MSNBC News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Dwelling on the 2024 Defeat Is a Waste of Time for Democrats - New York Magazine - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Vance says ACA credits fuel fraud as Democrats push for extension to end shutdown - Reuters - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Opinion | Jon Favreau on Where the Democrats Went Right - The New York Times - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Missouri Democrats have an opportunity to block a new congressional map. They say theyre largely on their own. - Politico - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats refuse to fold over shutdown as Republican outrage builds - The Guardian - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- The Democrats Still May Not Understand What They're Dealing With - Politico - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Fetterman says Democrats sending 'wrong message' with government shutdown stance amid funding fight - Fox News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Johnson says Democrats are to blame for looming lapse in military pay - The Hill - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Opinion: Democrats still have no idea what went wrong - Anchorage Daily News - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats urge Yes on retention - Northeast Times - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Democrats have spent a record amount to win the New Jersey governors race. Why some insiders are still nervous. - Inquirer.com - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Trumps D.C. intervention prompts even other Democrats to call for its House delegate to step down - The Virginian-Pilot - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Video of Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for shutdown rolling out at TSA security checkpoints across the country - CNN - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Why Democrats Think Theyre Winning the Shutdown Fight - The Atlantic - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- John Thunes shutdown strategy: Wait for the Democrats to fold - The Washington Post - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- One big swing-state race highlights how Democrats are figuring out their path forward - NBC News - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- I hope Democrats learn from this shutdown. But we know that they won't. | Opinion - USA Today - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Speaker Johnson: Democrats Have Voted Eight Times to Block Paychecks to Americans Troops and Federal Workers - Congressman Mike Johnson (.gov) - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- ICYMI: Rep. Ronny Jackson Says Democrats Are Actively Sabotaging Americas Farmers in Their Shutdown - Congressman Ronny Jackson (.gov) - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Democrats float immediately paying feds working through shutdown as Congress again rejects bill to reopen government - Government Executive - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Democrats have shutdown demands beyond health care, but it's hard to notice - Axios - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Amid Democrats Government Shutdown, ICE Law Enforcement Officers, Working Without Pay, Continue to Remove Pedophiles and Murderers - Homeland Security... - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Firings of federal workers begin as White House seeks to pressure Democrats in government shutdown - WABE - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Democrats Play the Hits on Health Care. But Fewer People Are Listening. - The New York Times - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Senate still deadlocked over shutdown as Trump reiterates threat to Democrats - The Guardian - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Democrats embrace the shutdown in ridiculously abnormal times - MSNBC News - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Democrats give Trump credit for Gaza deal but stop short of backing GOP calls to award him Nobel Peace Prize - CNN - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Are Democrats becoming the party of murder? - miningjournal.net - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Democrats government shutdown is the ultimate display of hypocrisy - The Hill - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Opinion | Democrats Are Increasing Inequality - The New York Times - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Could Democrats lose the New Jersey governors race? - The Week - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- The war in Gaza has divided Democrats. Will a ceasefire fix that? - CNN - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Democrats Fumbled This: 3 Writers Assess Where We Are With the Shutdown - The New York Times - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Video to play at airport TSA checkpoints blaming Democrats for government shutdown - KGW - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson continues to blame Democrats for the government shutdown - CBS News - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- These Democrats Could Hold the Key to Ending the Shutdown - The New York Times - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Senate Democrats defy White House warnings, again block GOP bid to reopen government - Fox News - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Heated hallway confrontation between Senate Democrats and Speaker Johnson - CNN - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Democrats introduce bill to help federal workers cover childcare costs during shutdown - The Guardian - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Despite Democrats Government Shutdown, ICE Continues to Arrest the Worst of the Worst Criminal Illegal Aliens Including Pedophiles, Human Smugglers... - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Democrats to force vote to limit Trump war powers after strikes on Venezuelan boats - NPR - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Democrats ramp up probe into Tom Homan bribery allegations - Axios - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Chairman Cole on Day Eight: Negotiations on Appropriations are Stalled until Democrats Face Reality and Reopen the Government - House Committee on... - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Colorado Democrats in Congress dig in on health care demands as government shutdown drags on - Post Independent - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Shutdowns serve as excuse for GOP and Democrats to spend more, says Sen. Ron Johnson - NPR - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Speaker Johnson: Reasonable Senate Democrats Must End the Shutdown Pain and Vote to Reopen the Government - Congressman Mike Johnson (.gov) - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]