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Diddy endorses Joe Biden for president and launches political group ‘Our Black Party’

Our Black Party aims to ‘advance a political agenda that addresses the needs of Black people, specifically’

Clémence Michallon
New York City
Friday 16 October 2020 17:01 EDT
Diddy at a pre-Grammys gala on 25 January 2020 in Beverly Hills, California
Diddy at a pre-Grammys gala on 25 January 2020 in Beverly Hills, California (MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

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Diddy has endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election and launched a political committee that aims to address the needs of Black people.

The artist tweeted on Friday: “The NUMBER ONE priority is to get Trump out of office. HE HAS TO GO. We can't allow this man to continue to try and DIVIDE US.

“The people that have the most responsibility and should be SCARED TO DEATH of this man are white people. WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF A RACE WAR.”

Diddy added that it would be “irresponsible” of him to “let this moment go by and not make sure going forward we are doing what it takes to own our politics”.

“We need to get Biden in and hold him accountable. Trump has taken things too far,” he wrote. “As Black people, we aren't even a topic of real discussion. We can no longer stand for doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. That's insanity! It's time we unify.”

Announcing one of his “boldest projects” ever, Diddy then explained he was launching an organisation called Our Black Party, with a mission to “create a platform to help advance a political agenda that addresses the needs of Black people”.

On its website, Our Black Party defines itself as a political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission. The organisation doesn’t have ballot status for the moment, but its website notes it might change as it “matures and achieves party recognition”.

Our Black Party currently has the following nine core values: “Black people have a right to own their politics,” “Black people have a right to a fair and just criminal legal system,” “Black people have a right to economic equity and equality within the United States of America,” “Black people have a right to health equity in the United States of America,” “Black people have a right to educational equity in the United States of America,” “Black people have a right to every unalienable right guaranteed in the constitution of the United States,” “Black people have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” “Black people are not a monolithic group and, therefore, we have a right to advocate for different things,” and “Above all, Black people have a responsibility to love each other and accountability is love.”

In an interview with Charlamagne tha God for Revolt TV, Diddy reacted to Donald Trump’s “stand back and stand by” comment addressed to the Proud Boys during the first – and so far only – presidential debate.

“We're in a war. We're not taking this like it's a war. We're taking it like it's a presidential election," Diddy said. “No, we're in a war of love versus hate. The number one priority is to get Trump out of office.”

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