The Black Ballot Episode 5: ‘Political Prostitutes’

President Richard Nixon (1913 – 1994) shakes hands with musician James Brown (1933 – 2006) in the White House’s Oval Office, in Washington D.C., on Oct. 10, 1972. | Source: Oliver F Adkins/PhotoQuest / Getty

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ewsOne is back with Episode 5 of The Black Ballot, an exclusive new multi-episodic docuseries exploring the history of African Americans voting.

Each episode takes a deep dive into American presidents’ decisions and policies and their collective impact on the short and long-term trajectories for the conditions of African Americans, especially as it pertains to voting.

MORE: The Black Ballot: NewsOne Debuts Video Series Documenting The History Of African Americans Voting

Episode 5 examines the complex relationships between prominent Black figures and political power in the 1960s and 1970s. Focusing on race, fame, and influence, this episode opens with radio host Clay Cane’s sharp critique, labeling celebrities like James Brown and Sammy Davis Jr. as “political prostitutes” for aligning with Richard Nixon.

The episode also explores Nixon’s strategy of “Black capitalism” — which was designed to court middle-class African Americans through economic opportunities rather than civil rights legislation — and explains how this approach is seen as a way to control Black communities under the guise of empowerment.

Civil rights leader Dr. Ben Chavis, Jr. is also featured in Episode 5 and discusses the ideological diversities within Black communities at the time. Chavis notes that there were integrationists, nationalists, Pan-Africanists and socialists, with each of these groups having differing views on how to achieve equality and justice.

In addition, the government’s harsh crackdown on the Black Panther Party is a key focus in Episode 5, including the deaths of leaders in Chicago and the trial of co-founder Bobby Seale, whose treatment in court notably included being gagged and restrained, which highlights the extreme measures that were taken against Black activism at the time.

However, as the narrative unfolds, the diverse perspectives within Black America are also explored, showing how these differing ideologies helped to shape the Civil Rights Movement.

Don’t miss this deep dive into the legacy of the Black vote and the continued fight for representation, and stay tuned for future episodes of The Black Ballot.

SEE ALSO:

The Black Ballot: Nixon, Wallace And The Evolution Of American Politics

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