For Mimi Striplin, a 31-year-old entrepreneur and owner of The Tiny Tassel in Charleston, running a small business has been a journey of highs and lows. Striplin, who launched her jewelry business nine years ago and opened her first physical store in 2021, also offers clothing designed by her mother and products from other Black women-owned businesses. Despite the challenges of entrepreneurship, she credits her local community for supporting her business.
Recently, Striplin had the opportunity to meet President Joe Biden as part of a small business roundtable ahead of South Carolina’s February 3 primary. Her message to him was simple: “See us.” As an Asian American woman, she wants the President to consider faces like hers when shaping policies. Striplin, who voted for Biden in the last election and plans to do so again, is one of the Black voters Biden needs to secure his re-election.
South Carolina’s primary will be the first chance for Black voters to express their support or dissatisfaction with Biden since his election. Antjuan Seawright, a South Carolina-based Democratic strategist and close ally of Rep. Jim Clyburn, believes it will provide a clear picture of Biden’s standing and the resonance of his administration’s messages.
However, Biden’s path to re-election is fraught with challenges. His net approval rating has been negative for over two years, and polls suggest that former President Donald Trump could beat him in key swing states in a hypothetical rematch. Moreover, Trump, the GOP front-runner, seems to be making small gains among Black voters, a crucial part of the Democratic coalition.
The Democratic party is making efforts to counter these losses, starting in South Carolina, which is hosting the first sanctioned primary after the Democratic National Committee revamped its primary calendar last year to prioritize more diverse states. This move, initiated at Biden’s request, is seen as a boost to the president, who performed poorly in the 2020 Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary but won decisively in South Carolina, largely due to strong support from Black voters.
Despite facing challenges from Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips and author Marianne Williamson, Biden is expected to win the primary comfortably. However, he and his allies are still urging Democrats to vote to demonstrate their enthusiasm for his presidency.
However, not all voters are enthusiastic. Gabriel Fant, a 38-year-old personal trainer and server, regrets her decision to vote for Biden in 2020 and is undecided about the upcoming general election. She criticizes the argument that Black Americans need to vote to honor the sacrifices made for their voting rights, arguing that withholding her vote can also send a powerful message.
Despite some economic improvements under Biden’s administration, including record low Black unemployment and real wage growth, dissatisfaction with the economy remains high. According to a recent CNN/SSRS poll, only 35% of Americans believe the economy is doing well or very well.
Despite the challenges, Striplin remains supportive of Biden, describing him as the best option for Democrats at present. She fears the alternative of another Trump administration and believes that not voting is not an option.
Report contributed by Ebony Davis, CNN.