UNLOCKED: Voting: What Is it Good For? (w/ Astra Taylor, Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, & Malcolm Harris)
Nov 1, 2024
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Astra Taylor, a filmmaker and co-founder of The Debt Collective, joins authors Malcolm Harris and Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, a philosophy professor, to delve into the complexities of voting in the upcoming election. They discuss the moral dilemmas of supporting candidates like Kamala Harris and the effectiveness of third-party alternatives. The conversation critiques the political landscape shaped by extremism and highlights the necessity of grassroots organizing, especially in response to social justice issues, emphasizing that civic engagement goes beyond casting a vote.
The podcast explores the moral complexities of voting for candidates like Kamala Harris, particularly in relation to their controversial policies.
Participants debate whether strategic voting can facilitate future organizing efforts versus the need for accountability against harmful policies.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of balancing electoral engagement with grassroots activism to challenge systemic injustices effectively.
Deep dives
The Voting Debate Among the Left
Discussions surrounding voting, particularly for Kamala Harris, reveal a deep divide within the left regarding the two-party system and the moral implications of electoral choices. While some see voting as a strategic necessity to counter the greater threat posed by Trump, others struggle with endorsing a candidate linked to policies they oppose, particularly with regards to foreign policy and issues like genocide. The conversation highlights the complexity of aligning moral values with political realities, emphasizing that the urgency to make a pragmatic choice can feel conflicting with deeper ethical concerns. This tension leads to broader questions about the efficacy of voting within an electoral system many view as flawed and unrepresentative.
Diverse Perspectives on Electoral Strategy
Participants in the discussion offer varying viewpoints on whether to endorse voting for Harris, with some arguing for a more strategic approach to voting as a tactic to build power, while others feel that such a vote would tacitly support harmful policies. The case for voting is examined through the lens of pragmatism—suggesting that backing Harris could pave the way for future organizing efforts—versus the standpoint that abstaining votes send a more impactful message against a candidate’s policies. This disagreement exemplifies the struggle to balance immediate political survival against long-term ideological commitments. Ultimately, the chat stresses the need for thoughtful discourse on how to navigate electoral decisions without losing sight of the broader political objectives.
Moral Implications of Voting and Abstention
A key concern raised in the podcast centers on the moral implications of voting and the potential outcomes of abstaining from the electoral process altogether. Some argue that not voting for Harris reflects a solidarity with populations adversely affected by U.S. policies, while others contend that such a decision may irrevocably empower right-wing forces. The conversation underscores the idea that abstention can be a form of protest, signaling dissent against the dominant political narrative, but raises questions about its practical effectiveness in influencing future political landscapes. This ethical dilemma illustrates the complex interplay between personal convictions and collective political action in the face of systemic injustice.
Future Scenarios Under Different Administrations
The discussion encompasses potential organizing landscapes under both a Harris and a Trump administration, weighing the opportunities and challenges each scenario presents for leftist movements. Participants consider whether a Trump presidency might galvanize grassroots activism more effectively than a Harris administration, which could lead to complacency among voters who feel they have made a 'better choice.' The conversation pivots around the idea that a failure to mobilize against Democrats—whom some see as complicit in systemic issues—could limit the left’s capacity to challenge injustices effectively. Several speakers urge a proactive approach to organizing, regardless of who occupies the White House, by focusing on building sustainable movements.
Engaging the Democratic Party vs. Building Alternatives
A significant part of the dialogue revolves around whether leftist efforts should focus on reforming the Democratic Party or championing the development of alternative political structures. Some advocate for continuous engagement with Democratic Party primaries as a way to exert influence from within, while others argue that resources would be better spent on grassroots organizing and direct action. The argument is made that while electoral politics should not be dismissed, there needs to be a balance to ensure that efforts to build power extend beyond the ballot box. Ultimately, the conversation touches upon the importance of innovative forms of participation, such as participatory budgeting, to create more inclusive democratic processes that transcend the current electoral limitations.
If you're on the left and you've spent time on the internet in the past few weeks, you've probably observe or participated in debates about the strategic value and moral status of voting in the 2024 election: Is it okay to vote for Kamala Harris even though her administration is complicit in a genocide? Is voting an exercise in signaling one's moral convincetions and identity? Or merely a tactical decision calculated to create better or worse terrain on which to organize in the future? Or is it something else altogether?
Perhaps these debates have stimulated you; perhaps they've filled you with despair; or perhaps (like Sam) they've driven you nuts. The intention of this conversation — with three of my favorite writers and thinkers — is to help us see further: past the stale categories and tendentious arguments that leave us, on the left, feeling frustrated and mistrustful, rather than mobilized and oriented toward a future beyond November 5th.
Our guests include: Astra Taylor, filmmaker, writer, organizer, and cofounder of The Debt Collective; author and organizer Malcolm Harris; and Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, author, political philosopher, and co-editor of Hammer & Hope — a new magazine of black politics and culture.
