In what was intended to be a declaration of bold progressive renewal, a tweet from the Democratic
T.E.A. Party Movement ignited a wave of criticism this week after unveiling an image of emerging
Democratic figures—with not a single Black face among them, highlighting issues in Progressive politics and Black voter exclusion. This criticism pointed out the stark realities that progressive politics and Black voter exclusion remain contentious issues.
The post was published Monday night. It touted a coming “Golden Era” for the Democratic Party. This era would rise “when the centrist & corrupted names of the past are gone.” The attached image featured
progressive lawmakers and candidates, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ro Khanna,
and others, bathed in a stylized blue filter. Notably absent were any Black leaders—an omission that
did not go unnoticed.
Within hours, the replies to the tweet had transformed into a firestorm of frustration, disbelief, and,
for some, confirmation of long-held suspicions about the racial blind spots in some progressive
circles. The oversight brings to the forefront the recurring theme of progressive politics and Black voter exclusion.
“Not a Black person on this image tells us all we need to know,” wrote one user. “This is white
supremacy on the left.”
Others echoed the sentiment. “You’re not winning ANY election without [Black] support,” one
comment read. Another posted a popular GIF holding a sign labeled “Delusional,” summing up what
many felt was a tone-deaf display of political branding.
Black progressives were especially vocal. Several pointed out the exclusion of leaders like Summer
Lee, or Maxwell Frost—a young, Black, and deeply progressive lawmakers who
arguably embody the very future the movement claims to represent.
The branding itself raised questions. Critics noted the uncomfortable use of “T.E.A. Party,” a name historically associated with a right-wing, often racially charged conservative movement. “Good luck,”
wrote one user, “I warned you about using this racist Tea Party name.” Such branding errors further illustrate the gap in Progressive politics and Black voter exclusion.
To some, the entire episode underscores a deeper tension on the American left-between a desire to
champion radical change, and a tendency to sideline the very communities that have long served as
its electoral backbone.
“‘Identity politics’ is always cool when the identity being centered is not Black people,” one reply
stated bluntly.
The backlash reflects a broader truth in Democratic politics: Black voters are not just one
constituency among many—they are foundational. From the Civil Rights era to Barack Obama’s
presidential victories in 08 and 2012 and the Georgia runoffs that gave Democrats Senate control in 2020, Black political power has been the linchpin of nearly every progressive gain in modern U.S. history.
Yet, moments like this when exclusion is visible and glaring can feel like a betrayal.
“This isn’t a correct display of a potential golden era,” said another user. “You can’t erase us… ever.”
So far, the Democratic T.E.A. Party account has not issued a statement or clarified its selection of
figures. But the silence may speak louder than words. In an era when representation is not just
symbolic but strategic, progressivism without inclusion isn’t just incomplete. It may be doomed to fail. This situation highlights the pressing issue of Progressive politics and Black voter exclusion.
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