American Presidental candidate Kamala Harris, who is keen to win over Black voters ahead of next month’s election, has sparked backlash over a new campaign ad that derides the love lives of Black men.
The digital ad, which targets Instagram and Snapchat users, features a speed dating scenario that encourages young people to participate in the election.
In the commercial, a man approaches a group of women holding balloons and is questioned about his income, height and fitness habits.
One of the women in particular inquires as to whether he has a “plan to vote”, to which the man responds “Uh, I didn’t plan on it.”
The response prompts the women to pop their ballons, after which a caption on the screen reads, “Don’t get popped”, followed by, “Vote, Election Day is November 5.”
The ad explicitly states that it was paid for by Vice President Kamala Harris.
New Harris/Walz ad tells black men that women will reject them if they don’t vote. Memorable and works as an appeal to self-interest. pic.twitter.com/9EKlOEIEU2
— Richard Hanania (@RichardHanania) October 19, 2024
The ad has been played around many campuses, particularly those in the battleground state of Arizona.
Harris/Walz ad sparks backlash
However, the ad didn’t go as planned. Rather than draw in uncertain voters, it appears to have prompted social media criticism of Harris and the message she was trying to deliver.
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. Screams desperate,” one X user wrote.
““Belittling and insulting,” a second user commented.
“Glad I’m not a black man, because this would make me irrationally furious,” another wrote.
This comes amid ongoing criticism of Harris and Walz’s presidential campaign’s handling of Black voters, in particular their “Opportunity Agenda for Black Men”. It drew flack for being irrelevant, inexplicable, and tone-deaf. Many Democratic voters also expressed frustration that their candidates were not taking a more progressive stand against the Republicans’ right-wing ideology.
Earlier, former President Barack Obama accused black male voters who do not support Harris of sexism.
Powerful criticisms of both Harris and Trump as Presidental candidates have also stemmed from their unsuitable handling of foreign policy, in particular Israel’s ongoing aggression towards Palestine and neighboring countries in the Middle East.
