16 Black Americans Confessed How They REALLY Feel About The 2024 Election, And I Appreciate The Brutal Honesty

Hello everyone, we're back with BuzzFeed's 2024 Election Diaries! Inspired by one of the most divided election years in US history, this is a series where I ask different groups of voters about their top political issues AND which candidate they plan to vote for in November.

This week, we're highlighting the voices of Black Americans to celebrate Juneteenth! Recently, I asked Black voters to anonymously share their plans for the 2024 election.

Here are 16 anonymous political confessions from Black voters revealing the issues they care about most and why they support their chosen candidate.

All voter images used are AI-generated. 

1."EXPANDING THE DAMN SCOTUS is my top issue. I’m voting for Biden because if not him, civil war will ensue."

2."The #1 issue I’m voting on is inflation. I’m supporting RFK because I began to see how the traditional Democrats told me what to say, what to think, and reminded me that I was at the ‘bottom of the ladder.'"

3."Fixing the economy and securing the border for the safety of the American citizens are both important to me. I'm supporting Trump because I could see that America was better off under him. The country was stronger and more secure, and the American people were put first by a strong and leading president who actually knew what he was doing."

4."The resurgence of white supremacy is terrifying. Trumpism represents an attempt to roll back the civil rights progress of the past 100 years. They've already started; if Trump is reelected, they will likely finish the job. Biden has presided over the most progressive and effective administration in the modern era. If Biden doesn't win, MAGA drags us back to the 19th century. It's that simple."

5.“Abortion laws are my top issue. We're already in a country where Black women are more likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts. We must maintain legal status for all caregiving procedures. I don't know who to vote for.”

6."Abortion rights are very important to me, so I'm voting for Biden because Trump would gladly sell the right for me to choose what to do with my body for the sake of winning. He's literally gross."

7."Taxation of my pension/Social Security income is most important. I paid specific taxes to receive a retirement income. Now, this income is taxed, and what is sad is that my monthly income is less than half of my monthly earnings. Why? I'm voting for Biden because he's the devil you know. The other one is mentally unfit and a clear danger to the country."

8."Biden has given us too many failing policies on immigration and the southern border. The lack of peace in the world will force me to change my vote this cycle."

9."My top issue is civil rights for all, but I believe the two-party system has not given us good choices. I would never vote for Trump or RFK Jr., but the Dems are all talk, no action."

10."Civil rights/equal rights are my top issue. As a Black and brown man, Biden has done more to combat racism and help our middle and working class more than he is given credit for."

11."Stop spending our money on foreign wars when we have a million problems at home! In the two-party system, you only have two real options. 99% of people are a better option than Trump."

12."Reparations, undocumented immigrants, and trade deals are my top issues. Trump promises to decouple the US economy from the global economy. He also promises to do something about the undocumented immigrants and the border. I also like that he is going to dismantle the Department of Education."

13."Reparations are the most important political issue for me this election, but I'm undecided. I don't feel that any candidate is offering what is important to my community."

14."My top issue is stopping racist, xenophobic, fascist, and nationalistic Trump supporters. I would never vote for Trump. RFK Jr. turned me off with his anti-vaxxer stance. Biden is complicit in genocide by helping arm Israel. So, who does that leave for ethical voters like myself? Who can we support without compromising our values?"

15."The most important issue to me is inflation. Things were better four years ago, and the Biden administration has wasted way too much money on things like climate change."

And finally...

16."Voter suppression is my #1 issue in this election. I'm voting for Biden because I feel that he is the best candidate in the presidential race. For the most part, President Biden is honest, he genuinely cares for people, and he has done very good things for the economy, considering what he inherited when he came into office. Additionally, President Biden has and will not attempt to destroy the country and the Constitution."

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Next week, we will be focusing on Gen Z voters. So, if you're a voter age 18–27, we want to hear from you via this anonymous Google form. Your response may be featured in an upcoming post!

Responses have been edited for length/clarity. 

Check out previous groups of voters we've surveyed here.