Well before her candidacy for President, Vice President Kamala Harris held an interview with Mav Carter where she discussed the importance of reaching out to Black men authentically and investing in their vision, business, and life. Trump has never done any of that. That’s why this whole conversation around the lack of attention given to Black men is disingenuous. If you asked Black men what they really want, the primary answer is respect & to be seen. The second is investment in them and not patronizing them. Kamala displayed all of that in her pre-candidacy interview.

Still, I don’t expect Black men to vote for Kamala just because she’s a Democrat or a Black Women. I expect Black men not be used as a tool of white grievances and white supremacy. If you don’t believe her statements surrounding Black men are genuine and authentic, but you believe in Trump, that’s a you issue; not a Kamala one. Let’s just be honest. Has the Democratic Party neglected Black men in reaching out? No. Has it been received as well as they liked? Again, no.

There’s something to be said about the appeal that Trump offers, that no amount of Town Halls, barbershop discussions and VP interviews can recreate. I vote Democrat, but I am in no means a party cheerleader. I have my very deep criticisms of the party. Whether it’s their methodology, strategy, messaging, intentionality, reliance on corporate money, environmental policy, or even focus on Black issues, my list of grievances is long. Quite frankly, both parties have been influenced by white supremacy ideals-although I won’t get into that sticky quagmire of that discussion….at least not today. But I will not say that the party has ‘ignored’ Black men. I hate that discourse, not only because it’s untrue, but the repeating of narratives not rooted in truth highlights ignorance rather than intelligence. We can argue effectiveness and strategy, but non action is a lie. We can elevate the conversation, without alleviating the truth. Which leads us to Obama…

I concede that Obama’s statements towards Black men in the past had been a bit heavy handed, finger waving, chastising and quite frankly insulting. I respect and admire him, but I often did not like his approach in the past. Still, Obama’s conversation the other day to me was not tinged with the same problematic approach he’s done in the past. It was an honest conversation about self reflection of why a Black man would reject the overture of Kamala, who has made genuine attempts to connect.

Yet those same Black men, ignore everything about Trump, and choose to embrace the idea that he’s better for them. Despite offering no explanation/plan on how he’s going to benefit them. They cannot even point to a significant policy discussion in which he addresses Black men directly and positively. Thus the conversation was on challenging Black men to not lead with their internal misogynoir, whether it’s realized or not.

Listen, this election is literally in few weeks. People are already entrenched in their perspective. No amount of discussion is going to change that. The myth of the ‘undecided voter’ is about as real as the unicorn in my backyard. But I just want us to have an authentic conversation about Black men, and not allow white conservative men to navigate this discussion with their ulterior motives. Nothing is going to change soon, because it’s evident that there is a real issue that we as a ‘family’ really need to address. The disconnect between Black men and Black women is real. I hate that white supremacist are exploiting this chasm. I hate that Black men are, either willfully or ignorantly, helping them. I expect the criticism of my position and how certain men will view me. I could honestly care less. What I care about is the narrative that Black men will not support a Black woman. Black men are still the second most reliable base for the Democratic Party. If Kamala loses, it’s not going to be because of Black men. By the numbers she should still elicit between 84% to 88% of the Black vote.

If Harris loses, the blame should fall squarely on the shoulders of white men & white women. Full stop. Because as history has shown, wherever the whims of their intentions go, so does the country. America is STILL a white led society. Kamala’a candidacy or Obama’s legacy doesn’t change that.

Until proven otherwise, I believe the story ends with Madame President Kamala Harris. Black people, and specifically Black men are not a voting monolith, and should not be treated as such. The voting habits of Black men should be treated with grace and understanding. In the same breath, all I ask is that same grace be given to our Madame Vice President when considering her intentionality.

Camara Williams, J.D., is a Florida-based attorney and community organizer.