Dr. Umar Johnson, a prominent civil rights activist and educator with a large social media following, turned down a $10,000 interview offer from Kamala Harris’ campaign, accusing them of using manipulative tactics to sway the black vote.
“Black vote ain’t for sale no more,” Johnson said, emphasizing that the days of pandering to black voters with empty promises and financial incentives are over.
Johnson posted a screenshot of the text message from the Harris campaign offering him money to participate in the interview.
The Kamala Harris campaign’s message read:
“Hello Dr. Umar Johnson. [redacted] from the Harris2024 team. You are a big part of the black community. Can you help us by completing a Zoom meeting with VP Kamala Harris. Paying [redacted] are looking for about an hour of your time. Please advise if you would like to complete the Zoom call. Your help can get us across the finish line. HARRIS2024”
Johnson response read:
“Peace & PanAfrikanism. I hope that all is well. I’m not interested in your money. However, I am very interested in having the zoom conversation with Vice President Harris to discuss our needs and her plans for the Black community. This zoom must be livecasted to the national Black community and may not be prerecorded.
I promise to be completely respectful of the Vice President but I will ask direct questions about miseducation, mass incarceration, police brutality, economic strangulation, gentrification/ migrant crisis, reparations & and the need for a federal anti-Black Hate Crimes Bill.”
Dr. Umar uploads an alleged text message exchange between him and Kamala Harris's team, where her team reached out to set up a Zoom meeting. pic.twitter.com/3PgqsFmuZT
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 15, 2024
In a video posted on social media, Dr. Umar Johnson accused Kamala Harris’ campaign of using “Democrat Plantation tactics,” alleging that they use black celebrities to pressure and guilt the black community into supporting a party that, in his opinion, gives little in return.
Addressing popular radio hosts Rickey Smiley and Steve Harvey, Dr. Johnson accused them of being complicit in this strategy, asserting that they were “paid to carry on” in their endorsement of Kamala Harris.
He urged them to stop using their platforms to manipulate black voters, suggesting that their public endorsements of Harris were driven more by financial incentives than by sincere political beliefs.
“Ricky Smiley, I love you. But crying on the radio for Kamala Harris, my brother, that’s an all-time low. Don’t do that again, Ricky Smiley. Don’t you get on your radio show and cry for Kamala? Don’t you do that, my brother. If you want to cry for Kabama Harris, you do that in the privacy of your house. But if we’re going to be honest, Steve Harvey and Ricky Smiley—and I love you both, no hate to my big brothers—but if we’re going to be honest, Ricky Smiley and Steve Harvey, you all only carried on because you all got paid to carry on,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he dismissed the offer of $10,000 outright, stating, “I don’t want your money, but we can definitely do the interview. Keep your damn money. King Kong consciousness ain’t for sale.”
“I’m not no Ricky Smiley, Steve Harvey. You don’t drop no check off and say, ‘Get the Negroes to the Plantation on November the fourth.’ You don’t drop no check off and say, ‘Get the Negroes to the Plantation.’”
Watch:
BREAKING: Pro-Black Activist Dr. Umar Johnson reveals that the Harris campaign offered him $10,000 to do an interview with Kamala Harris
— George (@BehizyTweets) August 15, 2024
"Black vote ain't for sale no more…"
"Don't you get on your radio show for Kabama Harris." 🔥
pic.twitter.com/O86BgS5mOF
