When Winsome Earle-Sears took the stage after winning the Republican nomination for governor of Virginia, she didn’t just make history — she exposed the limits of how far “diversity” truly goes when it dares to exist outside Democratic lines.
Sears, a Jamaican-born Marine veteran and small-business owner, came to America as a little girl with her father and was raised in the Bronx. From those humble beginnings, she built a life rooted in faith, service, and family. She’s already broken barriers as Virginia’s first Black woman lieutenant governor. Now she stands on the verge of becoming the state’s first Black woman governor — and yet, instead of celebration, she faces silence or ridicule from the same voices that claim to champion representation.
The Virginia NAACP, which had no issue praising Democrats for similar milestones, stopped short of endorsing her, choosing only to “recognize” her historic candidacy. That word choice says everything. Recognition without support is tokenism dressed in respectability. It’s the polite way of saying, we see you, but we don’t stand with you.
Meanwhile, comedian D.L. Hughley and others in the liberal entertainment bubble have mocked Sears with language they would never dare use toward Kamala Harris or any other Democrat. Hughley even made disrespectful remarks about Sears’s hair, calling it nappy — yet there was no outrage, no social-media storm, no defense from the same Black women who would have flooded timelines if that comment had been directed at Harris. Or look at the most recent attack on Stephen A. Smith, who was vilified simply for criticizing Janine Crockett’s lack of governing and policy focus. The silence in both cases was deafening — and the hypocrisy speaks volumes.
And here’s what makes that silence even louder: Winsome Earle-Sears is a Black woman married to a Black man, raising Black children. Her family represents everything our community claims to value — unity, stability, faith, and generational strength. Yet there’s no celebration of that. No hashtags honoring Black family excellence. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, whose husband is white, was praised endlessly as the face of “Black womanhood.” The difference? One supports the Democratic machine; the other stands on conservative principles.
Have we forgotten what Barack Obama once said about Harris — “She’s one of us. She comes from where we come from”? You would think Winsome Sears fits that mold even more so — a Black woman rooted in faith and family, raising Black children in America. But because she’s a Republican, she’s treated like she’s on the outside looking in. That’s not progress — that’s hypocrisy. And it says more about us as a people than it does about her politics.
So if Black men based their choice on Election Day on what Barack Obama once said about Kamala Harris — “She’s one of us, she comes from where we come from” — then Winsome Sears would be the natural candidate of choice
Here’s where the real difference shows: White Americans use politics as power. In many white households, the husband may vote one way and the wife another — yet no matter who wins, their interests are met. Their politics serve their collective goals, not their emotional identity. But in too many Black households, we’ve reversed that logic. We’ve traded our interests for political identity and wonder why our communities look the way they do — with high crime, failing schools, and low economic development. Identity is not power when the people who “represent” you only see you as votes.
And ask yourself this: would a Jewish, Italian, Irish, or Asian community ever unite to vote against their own cultural or economic interests? Of course not. It’s an unwritten rule — they protect their own, build their own, and vote their interests first. Yet Black America is divided by identity politics — taught to see each other as “conservative” or “liberal” instead of as family. That’s how we’ve lost leverage. That’s how representation became symbolism instead of substance.
This entire situation exposes the hypocrisy of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party when it comes to Black women. Obama recently endorsed Abigail Spanberger, a white Democratic candidate running against Winsome Sears, in a pair of ads praising her abortion and tax policies. In his words:
“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. We know Republicans will keep attacking abortion rights and the rights of women. That’s why having the right governor matters, and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger.”
So let’s be clear — when the Black woman is a Democrat, she’s “one of us.” But when she’s a Republican, she’s ignored, dismissed, or insulted. That’s not empowerment; that’s selective inclusion.
Winsome Earle-Sears challenges that narrative. Her story is not about party labels; it’s about principle, perseverance, and the audacity to think freely. She is proof that leadership doesn’t have to wear blue to be Black. And maybe that’s why she’s such a threat — not to America, but to those who profit from keeping Black thought politically uniform.
If she wins, it won’t just be a victory for Republicans. It will be a victory for independent thought in Black America — a reminder that real equality means the freedom to choose your own political path without being branded a traitor for it.
Mr. Jones, I appreciate this article and your support of Mrs. Earle-Sears. Here is where I have the problem. I have been residing in VA for the past 20 years. If I had to pick a political affiliation, I would say I am somewhat a liberal, but I stand with the Democratic Party. I am torn between both candidates, and as a black woman, I really should be choosing the black candidate. However, I have a problem with Earle-Sears supporting the current president of the United States. He was not my choice, and I do not support what he stands for, especially several of his negative rhetoric. When she stands with him, it makes me feel like she does not support the black community in VA. How can I support her? Should I choose between color and conscience? I think not. I may not fully agree with all that Spanberger has to offer, but most of her ideas resonate with me. Therefore, I will vote with my conscience and not my color. Thanks.
Thank you for your thoughtful and respectful comment — I truly appreciate that. And I completely understand your perspective. We should all vote with conscience, not color. But here’s the deeper question: what shapes that conscience — party loyalty or principle?
My point in the article wasn’t that every Black voter must support Winsome Earle-Sears. It’s that too often, we claim to want inclusion and equality but then reject it when it doesn’t wear the right party label. That’s not inclusion — that’s selective acceptance. No other ethnic group does that. Jewish, Italian, Irish, and Asian communities vote their interests first, not their emotions.
Winsome Sears’s values — faith, family, good education, and supporting all forms of energy development to grow opportunity — are not extreme; they’re consistent with the same values most of us were raised on. Whether you agree with every policy or not, those principles are what strong communities are built on.
And you’re right — we should vote with our conscience. But conscience also means honesty. If we say we want equality, then it must apply to all — even those who don’t share our political affiliation. Otherwise, our calls for inclusion ring hollow.
Again, I appreciate your sincerity and your engagement. These are the real conversations we need — honest, respectful, and grounded in truth over tribalism.
This woman is worthless like most republicans she was only a Pvt. in the marines. She is all so a traitor to our country.
Thank you for your thoughtful response to worthless drivel. As my “Salad Bowl” WW2 decorated father said…”They bring their culture with them.” They are tethers. Mamdami’s speech was disrespectful and racist. He left ADOS out as builders of NYC and America! Who built New Amsterdam? ADOS! Who enslaved those people? The Dutch!
Both would have a few choice words for Mamdami. Harlem, Stuyvesant are both Dutch words. The Mohawk trail tells you who was here first. The Dutch names were used by the colonizers. Every immigrant group he named were NOT the builders of NYC or America! They have grifted off of it and our ancestors labor. Our life expectancy was 21 to 22 years! Damon writes some good articles, but he is off base on several issues.
Damon please. We get that you’re a Republican and don’t try to blame the Democratic party. That’s all you hypocrites does. Did you stand up for Kamala when she was being mocked. I will never vote for a person who celebrates Donald Trump and his corrupt administration. Don’t go writing your double standards article. She doesn’t deserve to be celebrated nor win.
Let’s be clear — I’m not a Republican. I’m a Black man who refuses to be boxed in by political labels. The moment you need to call someone a name instead of addressing the facts, your argument becomes moot.
The sad part is, I didn’t even mention Trump in the article — you did. That’s a sickness in our politics. The conditioning runs so deep that anytime someone challenges Democratic groupthink, you automatically assume they’re defending Trump. That’s how programmed the conversation has become.
And where was your comments on the articles about when New York Democrats redrew the congressional maps in Districts 16 and 17 — pushing out two Black congressmen, Jamaal Bowman and Mondaire Jones? You didn’t say a word. You didn’t stand up for your own within your own party. So I don’t expect you to comprehend the hypocrisy when it’s staring you in the face.
Other communities — Jewish, Italian, Asian — can proudly say “Community Before Party” and vote across lines without being criticized. But when Black people do it, we’re labeled and attacked. That’s not logic — that’s political conditioning.
My article wasn’t about Trump or party loyalty. It was about exposing the double standard — how inclusion and diversity only matter when the person succeeding fits a preferred narrative. Winsome Earle-Sears deserves respect for her record, her service, and her example of family and faith — whether you agree with her politics or not.
Real power comes from independent thinking, not blind loyalty. When we can’t see past party labels, we stop thinking for ourselves — and that’s exactly how they keep us powerless.
Well said.
I agree with some of the things you have said.However ,what is always missing is the need to overlook the obvious racism that is exemplified in the Republican party.Personally I don’t give a damn about either party nor labels of liberal and conservative they are only distractions.If black Republicans want black votes quit running out of the same grifting nonsense that the white power elites tell them to say.Putting it simply when a black Republican can stand on principle and speak truth to power regardless of the outcome then more blacks will take notice. But I feel you don’t recognize the fact that if we not voting to seize power what is the point.To many black Republicans are cheerleaders to the white power structure they have no juice.They can show no accomplishments that has helped the black community. In an ideal world we should be on both sides squeezing the hell out of both parties to get our agenda enforced.There are 5 black Republicans in all of congress and you trying to convince a majority of black people that they have our interest at heart.Her own president who she has kissed his ass at every turn didn’t even support her and we are supposed to be convinced she can do something for us?I dare anyone to present 1 policy (please don’t say tax cuts) in the past 50 years from the Republican party that has benefited black people as whole, it cannot be done.So if we want unity let’s not play these put forward a candidate who will fight to change the dynamics of conservatism with spirit and guts then you will see more black support. But then what happens is the majority of white people will make another party because truthfully they do not want to give up POWER which is the name of this game!
I respect your perspective, but that’s exactly the issue I’m talking about — identity politics has boxed Black people into one political lane. Every other ethnic group in this country spreads its influence across both parties. Jewish, Italian, Irish, and Asian communities all understand power — they invest in both sides to make sure their interests are protected no matter who wins.
Look at the Jewish community — they finance both Republicans and Democrats and vote for whoever fights hardest for their interests. That’s how Israel receives roughly $8 billion a year in U.S. support, while its citizens enjoy free healthcare and tuition-free college education. That’s not favoritism — that’s strategy and leverage. They make sure whichever party is in power has a reason to deliver for them.
Meanwhile, we’re the only group that treats political loyalty like a badge of honor. We’ve mistaken voting blue for progress, when real progress means holding everyone accountable. That’s why our neighborhoods stay the same while our loyalty never changes.
And I get the frustration with Republicans — believe me, I do. But ask yourself this: when Black Democrats hold power, what measurable outcomes have changed in our communities? Crime, education, wealth, and homeownership are all worse under the same leadership we’ve been loyal to for 60 years. That’s not progress — that’s political stagnation.
The point isn’t that Republicans are perfect — they’re not. The point is that no party should own us. The minute we put community before party, like other ethnic groups do, we start forcing both sides to compete for our interests instead of taking us for granted.
And to your point about white people forming another party to keep power — you’re right. Power protects itself. That’s exactly why we need to stop begging for inclusion and start building independent leverage. Because when you control your economy, your vote, and your culture, it doesn’t matter what party they form — you’ll still have influence at the table.
But here’s the reality — the average Black person and the average white person have more in common than we think. It’s the political elite on both sides that keep us fighting each other to protect their own power. The Black Panthers didn’t become a threat until they united with poor white organizations. Dr. King didn’t become a threat until he took on the labor struggle. And let’s not forget history — it was the Democrats who opposed freeing the slaves, not the Republicans.
If we truly want power, it starts with thinking independently — not as Democrats or Republicans, but as a people with a shared agenda and the courage to demand results from everyone. Because once we realize we’ve got more in common than they want us to believe, the system that feeds off our division finally loses control.
who is Janine Crockett?
Thank you for your thoughtful response to worthless drivel. As my “Salad Bowl” WW2 decorated father said…”They bring their culture with them.” They are tethers. Mamdami’s speech was disrespectful and racist. He left ADOS out as builders of NYC and America! Who built New Amsterdam? ADOS! Who enslaved those people? The Dutch!
Both would have a few choice words for Mamdami. Harlem, Stuyvesant are both Dutch words. The Mohawk trail tells you who was here first. The Dutch names were used by the colonizers. Every immigrant group he named were NOT the builders of NYC or America! They have grifted off of it and our ancestors labor. Our life expectancy was 21 to 22 years! Damon writes some good articles, but he is off base on several issues.