…We’ve given one party our votes for decades, but our neighborhoods still struggle with the same problems. It’s time to try something different.

In Part 1, we explored why minority voters should demand results, not promises. Now, let’s examine what the data tells us about the effectiveness of current approaches.

A new report from Pew Research Center reveals a troubling reality that minority voters can no longer ignore: five years after George Floyd’s death sparked nationwide calls for change, most Americans believe little has actually improved for Black communities. This disconnect between promises and results highlights why political independence – not automatic party loyalty – offers a better path forward for all minority voters.

What the Data Shows

The new Pew Research study released May 2025 reveals several findings that should concern every voter who cares about real progress:

• 72% of Americans say the increased focus on race after Floyd’s murder did not lead to changes that improved Black lives [Source: Pew Research Center]
• Only 11% believe the relationship between Black people and police has improved since Floyd’s death, while most (54%) say it’s about the same, and a third say it’s worse
• Support for Black Lives Matter has dropped from 67% in 2020 to just 52% today, suggesting Americans want substance beyond slogans
• Among Democrats who believed change would come, disillusionment has grown – 70% thought the focus on racial issues would improve Black lives in 2020, but only 34% now believe it actually did

These numbers aren’t just statistics – they represent real communities still waiting for meaningful change despite years of promises.

The Political Monopoly Problem

When any community gives one political party 90% or more of their votes, both parties respond predictably:

1. The favored party takes these votes for granted, offering symbolic gestures rather than substantive change
2. The other party writes off these communities entirely, seeing no electoral benefit in addressing their concerns

The result? A political monopoly where neither party faces real accountability for delivering results to minority communities.

Moving Beyond Party Labels

For too long, many minority voters have been told their racial or ethnic identity should determine their political choices. This message disrespects voters’ intelligence and diminishes their political power.

The truth is that minority Americans hold diverse views on issues like:

• Economic opportunity and entrepreneurship
• Education reform and school choice
• Public safety and crime reduction
• Religious freedom and traditional values
• Family stability and community responsibility

A one-size-fits-all political approach fails to recognize this diversity of thought. Political independence allows voters to support candidates who best represent their values, regardless of party label.

The Growing Independence Movement

More minority voters are embracing political independence:

• Among Black voters, support for Democrats dropped from 92% in 2020 to 84% in the 2024 election
• Hispanic voters have become increasingly independent, with 40% now identifying as independents
• Asian American voters show the most political diversity of any minority group

This growing independence isn’t about shifting loyalty from one party to another – it’s about making both parties earn support through results.

Values-Based Voting: A Better Approach

Instead of voting based on identity, minority voters can demand results by:

1. Evaluating candidates based on their record, not their rhetoric
2. Supporting politicians who respect religious faith and family values
3. Backing candidates who promote economic opportunity and public safety
4. Rejecting those who take minority votes for granted

The Path Forward

The disappointing results from the last five years show that political loyalty without accountability doesn’t work. As one community leader put it: “We’ve given one party our votes for decades, but our neighborhoods still struggle with the same problems. It’s time to try something different.”

That “something different” is political independence – the freedom to vote your values, not your assigned identity. When politicians know they must earn your support rather than assume it, they work harder to address your community’s real needs.

Remember: Your vote is your voice. Use it to demand results, not just promises.