Famous 100 African Americans call on Biden to choose a black running mate

From rapper Diddy to radio host Charlamagne tha God and sports and religious figures, 100 African-American men published an open letter on Monday August 10 calling on Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden to choose a black running mate.

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" Not picking a black woman in 2020 means you will lose the election, " wrote the signatories, which also includes NBA star Chris Paul. " We do not want to have to choose the lesser evil " between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, they explain by asking for this strong gesture on the part of the Democrat, while the latter must announce in the coming days the name of the one who will accompany in the polls against the Republican president, on November 3.

" For too long, black women have been asked to do everything, to mobilize the troops to risk their lives for the Democratic Party, without recognition, or respect, or visibility and certainly without supporting them enough ", they write in their open letter, published by American media. " And we, black men, stand in solidarity with them ."

Victory in Democratic primary thanks to black voters

The former vice-president of Barack Obama promised in March to choose a woman for running mate who would become, in the event of victory, the first woman vice-president of the United States. Joe Biden owes much of his victory in the Democratic primary to black voters, who had given him an overwhelming lead over rivals in South Carolina after three humiliating losses. And their mobilization will be crucial to win the White House.

Calls for him to choose a black running mate have multiplied since a historic protest movement against racism and police violence seized the United States after the death of George Floyd, suffocated by a white police officer in late May in Minneapolis. Joe Biden is expected to reveal his choice before the Democratic convention, which will be held August 17-20 and during which he will be officially nominated as a candidate. It will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, mostly online due to the coronavirus pandemic.