Turning Toward the Light: Why Marginalized Groups (and others!) Should Vote for Kennedy

By C. F. Bruce, Special to The Kennedy Beacon

By C. F. Bruce, Special to The Kennedy Beacon

The 2024 presidential choices are presented to us as a duopoly, thick with ultimatums. Picking one is the end of freedom. Picking the other is the end of democracy. Any choice outside of these two is consigning the world to inescapable doom. Anyone who challenges the powerful incumbent, the candidate of choice, is a spoiler with no chance to win.

When we hear our elections expressed in these words, we feel like the child in the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes. We can see poverty. We can feel the economic strain. We experience the closing off from upward mobility, the chaotic weather wrought by climate change, the impossibility of buying a house, having a family, or retiring in comfort. 

Speaking the truth about these conditions results in responses that tell us we are not smart enough. Not educated enough to understand. Not savvy enough to know how things work. Not patient enough to wait for change.

But this year, as many resigned themselves to the lesser of two evils, someone shining bright with opportunity appeared on the horizon.

One of the first times I saw information about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was in a 2006 “Green Issue” of Vanity Fair magazine, with Al Gore and others. Kennedy was among a core group of activist attorneys who used the court system to gain environmental justice victories. I remembered that issue, with the word revolution on the cover, when I heard about Kennedy’s bid for office.

Today, as Kennedy continues to poll with unprecedented strength after his decision not to compete in the Democratic presidential primary contests, there have been efforts to distract from his powerful environmental justice record, and a solid platform that addresses the corporate monopolies that drive high costs in housing, food, and medicine. 

The Kennedy candidacy provides American voters with the best opportunity in a long time to elect an independent president, one who will have the trust and confidence of the people of this country.

Part of the appeal is electing a president who is showing polling strength, has a winning platform, and has the access to resources and strong backing necessary to provide confidence in his ability to win. Kennedy also offers an opportunity to create the next ‘rainbow coalition’ of voters across the boundaries of race, class, ethnicity, gender, and religion. As the Washington Post reports, there are millions who are not participating in elections. Black voters have sharply decreased their participation. The parties are not providing policies that respond to those needs.

We see those policy priorities articulated in Kennedy’s platform. By joining the Kennedy race, young voters, Black voters, Latino voters, rural voters, and other marginalized groups can have a powerful collective impact. Disaffected voters can have confidence again – there is a choice on the ballot for economic opportunity. Voters don’t have to stay in an unproductive, unfulfilling political relationship because there is no chance of victory elsewhere. This year they have a choice and an opportunity with Kennedy.

I participate in activities organized by the Poor People’s Campaign, an organization that reminds us of “the over 140 million people in the United States who are poor, low-wealth, or just one emergency away from economic ruin.” Voters like these, including many who revere John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Sr., do not plan to give their vote on name recognition alone. They will have to be shown that like JFK, RFK Jr. will listen – and will see that our nation can value and act on ending the suffering that deep poverty generates, ending the lack of opportunity and access to basic health, shelter, and necessities. 

Finally, we are disheartened by the wars we see taking place in Gaza, the Ukraine, Sudan, and other parts of the world. We have empathy for the many who face violence and terrorism in their countries and are seeking pathways to peace and rights protection.                                                                                             I believe that Kennedy can earn the public’s trust and vote. With a high level of reciprocity, he will keep us engaged in the mutual work of leadership that will help more Americans find an improved quality of life. Kennedy has the capacity to be a consequential president and leader, at a time when such a president is sorely needed.

Catherine Fleming Bruce was a 2022 candidate for the US Senate. She’s author of The Sustainers: Being, Building and Doing Good through Activism in the Sacred Spaces of Civil Rights, Human Rights and Social Movements.