Experts Urge Democrats to Rethink ‘People of Color’ Label as Trump Gains Support Among Minority Voters

Professor Jerel Ezell from the University of California, Berkeley has called for a reevaluation of traditional racial politics by the Democratic Party. He argues that the term ‘people of color’ has become a hindrance rather than a help in winning elections.

In a recent opinion piece for a well-known political magazine, Ezell observes that the Democrats’ reliance on minority voters—namely Black, Latino, Indigenous, and Asian Americans—has not yielded the expected outcomes in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. This election saw a surprising increase in support for former President Donald Trump among these groups, prompting a critical reassessment of strategies within the Democratic Party.

Ezell states, “The 2024 presidential election left the Democrats’ multiracial coalition in tatters. Nonwhite people voted in higher percentages for Trump in 2024 than they did in 2020, in some cases by double-digit increases.” This outcome signals a significant shift in the political landscape, with the Democratic Party now facing what Ezell describes as a ‘come-to-Jesus reckoning’ concerning its voting base.

Understanding the Shifts in Voter Behavior

Ezell emphasizes that there is a lack of profound cultural and political unity among various racial groups that Democrats often assume exists. He elaborates, ‘There is no deep cultural, social, economic or political linkage between Black, Latino, Indigenous and Asian Americans — at least not one that can be leveraged by the party for votes.’

The dynamics of the November election were striking. Latinos exhibited a significant swing toward Trump, while there was also a notable uptick in support from Asian voters. Although Indigenous voters initially aided President Biden in securing wins in pivotal states like Arizona and Wisconsin in 2020, their impact diminished in 2024, albeit most still cast their ballots for Democrats.

Black Voters: A Compromised Stronghold

Despite Black voters continuing to support Democrats, Ezell points out that the party can no longer take this demographic for granted. He notes that Kamala Harris, the current Vice President, managed to secure 8 out of 10 Black voters in 2024, a decline from Biden’s 90% support in 2020.

Ezell argues that this decline should serve as a wake-up call for Democrats. If there was any surprise regarding the election results, he suggests it comes from a misunderstanding of the actual political awakenings among nonwhite voters. He contends that ‘liberals who rely on the term