Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a member of the illustrious Kennedy dynasty, is making an unlikely run for the Democratic presidential nomination and has declared that he’s steadfastly dedicated to persevering with his household’s enduring legacy.
In a one-on-one interview with the Black Press of America, Kennedy spoke about his relentless concentrate on combating environmental racism, ending certified immunity for legislation enforcement officers, and addressing the alarming racial disparities inside the American medical system.
The 69-year-old District of Columbia-born candidate mentioned he’s championing causes which have plagued marginalized communities for much too lengthy.
His mission, he insisted, extends past rhetoric, searching for to dismantle systemic obstacles and usher in a brighter, extra equitable future, notably for African Individuals who’ve borne the brunt of injustice, together with the problematic situation of maternal mortality.
As he steps onto the political stage the place his uncle, John F. Kennedy, counts as one of the crucial in style presidents in American historical past and the place his father had all however sewn up the Democrat nomination earlier than his assassination in 1968, Kennedy’s audacious bid might problem the established order and spark a transformative motion that reverberates by means of the nation.
“Black Individuals are going to be a principal precedence for me, notably in ending that concern of harmful interplay with legislation enforcement,” Kennedy asserted.He additionally pledged a transfer to finish certified immunity, which protects law enforcement officials from private legal responsibility within the occasion of a lawsuit.
“There isn’t any incentive for people to vary dangerous conduct,” Kennedy remarked.“We want systemic adjustments. We have to take away certified immunity, which might make it crucial for a person to contemplate his legal responsibility with each interplay. Each good financial system [should] incentive good conduct and punish dangerous conduct. We have to have that.”
Kennedy added that there’s a necessity for a reorganization of police to grasp the mission of defending and serving “as a substitute of being in fight mode after they come into the Black neighborhood.”
One of many kids of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, Kennedy introduced his presidential candidacy earlier this 12 months.
His father and uncle, John F. Kennedy, each demonstrated a want for a united and robust America, which he mentioned impressed him.
Regardless of his anti-vaccine views which have prompted controversy, some surveys have giving Kennedy as a lot as 20 p.c help amongst Democrats.
His unlikely problem to the incumbent President Joe Biden has gained steam.A ballot by The Economist and YouGov confirmed that Kennedy was considered favorably by 49% of respondents and unfavorably by simply 30%, leaving him with a web score of 19 factors—larger than some other candidate within the ballot, which surveyed 1,500 grownup respondents from June 10 to 13.
Additional, Biden had a unfavourable 9-point web favorability score, with 52% of respondents viewing him considerably or very unfavorably.
Compared, 45% have very or considerably favorable impressions, and Trump had a unfavourable 10-point web score, with 53% viewing him unfavorably and 43% favorably.
“Might Bobby Kennedy catch a spark? Perhaps,” Michael Novogratz, a billionaire Democratic donor who supported Biden in 2020 however has pledged to not again any candidate older than 72, informed the New York Occasions.
“He’s alienated himself due to a number of the anti-vax positions, however he’s a shiny man, articulate, eloquent, linked, has the Kennedy identify, and would pull lots of the Trump voters.”
In the meantime, Kennedy mentioned he’d additionally work to finish medical racism “entrenched in our medical system on this nation.”
He famous a latest video he created about medical racism, the place well being specialists have concluded that Black Individuals are much less prone to obtain high quality medical care than whites.Throughout the pandemic, Kennedy famous that African Individuals have been dying at 3.6 instances the speed of whites.
No matter their revenue or social standing, Black moms suffered maternal mortality alarmingly larger than some other race.
“In the event you’re Black on this nation, you’re getting third-world type medical care,” Kennedy insisted. “The medical system shouldn’t be attuned to taking good care of Black sufferers. Being a Black affected person on this nation is nearly as harmful as being a Black prisoner. You gained’t get good medical care, which will probably be certainly one of my priorities.”
Kennedy additionally famous meals deserts are plentiful and the standard of meals is “horrible” in most Black communities.
“Environmental points plague Black America,” Kennedy said. “4 out of each 5 poisonous waste constructions are in Black communities.
“The very best focus of poisonous waste is on the south aspect of Chicago and take a look at all of the meals deserts. And the meals made accessible in lots of Black communities is very processed and loaded with chemical compounds and hormones.
“It’s making African Individuals sicker. We want kids who’ve good well being and wholesome brains, they usually want to have the ability to entry the most effective medical care, however the system is predatory towards Black Individuals.”
