Author: DAMON K JONES

When people warn that the Democratic Party isn’t prepared for 2028, it’s usually dismissed as premature or alarmist. But in politics—as in economics—outcomes matter more than intentions, and patterns tell us far more than slogans. The rising prospect of a J.D. Vance–Marco Rubio presidential ticket isn’t just a conservative fantasy. It’s a test. And the Democratic Party, as currently constituted, is failing it. Unlike Donald Trump, Vance and Rubio wouldn’t walk into the 2028 race with chaos and controversy as their primary currency. Instead, they’d offer a disciplined, values-driven, and demographically strategic campaign that could do real damage across key…

As of January 2026, several states will begin banning the purchase of soda, candy, and other junk foods with SNAP benefits. While the move has sparked debate nationwide, one truth is undeniable: Black communities stand to gain the most in terms of health outcomes. For years, sugar-laden products have flooded low-income neighborhoods, not by accident, but by design. Now, some states are finally pushing back—and it’s long overdue. Let’s be clear. This is not about government control or food shaming. This is about reclaiming our health from the grip of an industry that profits off addiction, disease, and death. Diabetes,…

Governor Kathy Hochul stood at a podium this week denouncing Texas Republicans for redistricting tactics she called “undemocratic,” “un-American,” and a “legal insurrection.” Yet in her own backyard, the Democratic Party did exactly what she’s now condemning — and they did it first, to their own, and notably, to a Black man. Let’s not rewrite history. New York Democrats have redrawn District 16 twice in the past four years, both times with the same goal: shaping the outcome of elections. Congressman Jamaal Bowman, the district’s first Black representative, was squeezed from both ends. In 2022, Democratic legislators ignored the state’s Independent Redistricting…

Kamala Harris’ decision not to run for governor of California in 2026 may seem like a personal choice—but it exposes a deeper crisis in the Democratic Party. At a time when national leadership is fractured and voter confidence is eroding, one of the party’s most recognizable figures has opted to sit on the sidelines. The implications are larger than California—they’re national. Because Kamala’s retreat doesn’t just leave a campaign trail empty. It leaves a vacuum in a party already running on fumes. The Democratic Party is entering uncharted territory. With President Biden out, Vice President Harris stepping back, and no…

While the political class debates budgets and slogans, a silent crisis is claiming Black lives—one cell mutation at a time. The American Cancer Society’s latest 2025 report drops a sobering truth: Black Americans still face the highest death rates for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. Not because of biology, but because of systems—systems that delay screenings, ration access, and minimize our pain. Systems that are now on the chopping block as federal Medicaid and Medicare cuts creep toward reality. Let’s be clear: this isn’t a medical mystery. It’s an economic and political equation. The risk factors—late-stage diagnoses, food deserts, environmental…

At a time when Black students are graduating in record numbers but owning less than ever, we must confront a hard truth: our educational institutions have lost their mission—and Black America is paying the price. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were never designed just to hand out degrees. They were created to train builders—men and women who could construct the economic, spiritual, and institutional backbone of a free Black society. They existed because white America locked us out of its systems—so we built our own. But somewhere along the way, the mission shifted. And with that drift, we began…

Tariffs have long been a four-letter word in elite economic circles. We’re told they are outdated, counterproductive, and inherently harmful to the consumer. But like most narratives shaped by academic orthodoxy, the debate around tariffs is rarely about logic and almost never about outcomes. It is about emotion, ideology, and convenience. And when that’s the basis of policy, the American worker always pays the price. Let’s start with the facts. In 2025 alone, tariff revenue under the Trump administration has exceeded $150 billion by midyear. That’s not theoretical revenue. It’s real money—collected, banked, and available for federal use without raising…

The recent fallout surrounding Shannon Sharpe is not just a celebrity scandal—it’s a textbook case in how success, perception, and accountability collide, especially when you’re a high-profile Black man. Sharpe, a respected NFL Hall of Famer and sports commentator, quietly exited ESPN after settling a $50 million civil lawsuit over allegations of sexual misconduct. There were no criminal charges, and Sharpe denied wrongdoing, yet the professional consequences were swift and decisive. This isn’t about whether he did or didn’t do what he was accused of. It’s about what this teaches every Black man who has climbed the ladder in law,…

There’s a growing trend in digital media that deserves honest scrutiny—not outrage, but clarity. A number of prominent Black podcasters and YouTubers have built platforms that claim to promote accountability and real talk. But increasingly, they amplify what’s wrong with Black culture while refusing to acknowledge the systemic forces that created those conditions in the first place. Instead of taking a holistic view—one that includes both personal responsibility and structural accountability—these voices often focus solely on individual behavior. Crime, poverty, family breakdown—these are real challenges, but when you discuss them in isolation, without context, you reinforce harmful stereotypes rather than…

A recent bipartisan poll conducted by The Wall Street Journal—highlighted in The New York Times—confirms what anyone paying attention could already see: the Democratic Party has reached its lowest favorability rating in over three decades. Just 33% of registered voters view the party favorably, while 63% hold an unfavorable opinion—a net rating of –30. But instead of asking why voters are turning away, Democratic leaders seem more interested in blaming misinformation, right-wing media, or voter apathy. In reality, the truth is far simpler: voters are reacting to outcomes, not rhetoric. When people see their real wages shrink, their neighborhoods decline, and their values openly…