Defending marginalized and oppressed minorities is a Democratic priority, but the party played little defense for several vulnerable groups at the Democratic National Convention. This should trouble any liberal.
This year has been tumultuous but often rewarding for religious liberty advocates, as lawsuits that turn on the hinge of the free exercise clause and involve groups that are often marginalized have journeyed through the lower courts and up to the Supreme Court.
The religious liberty battle made its way to the Supreme Court in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue. A group of mothers wanted the tax break they were entitled to in order to utilize the state’s voucher system for religious schools, but the state refused, saying it was an endorsement of religion and a violation of the separation of the church and state. The Supreme Court saw differently and ruled religious schools should have the same access to scholarships as public schools. This wasn’t just a “victory for conservatives,” as the New York Times put it. It was a win for minority families and religious liberty, yet Democrats didn’t offer their support to these women throughout the year or at the convention.
Democrats have also long pitched themselves to be the political party against racism. In his acceptance speech Thursday night, Joe Biden said, “We will be the generation that finally wipes out the stain of racism from our national character. I believe we’re up to it. I believe we’re ready.” Racism is complicated, and eradicating it entirely is a worthy goal. As such, it’s not difficult to see the role of racism when it comes to issues like abortion, school vouchers, and more.
More black babies are aborted than are born in New York City, yet Democrats still fight for abortion rights, now dubbed “reproductive justice” in a bizarre, Orwellian twist of language. Gaslighting would-be Democratic voters does nothing to help black mothers and their unborn children.
Access to school vouchers, or school choice, is an issue that affects minority groups disproportionately. Public schools in lower-income or urban areas operate with fewer funds, and children tend to score lower on standardized testing. Vouchers benefit minority families greatly, yet the issue is rarely touted by Democrats as a worthy policy goal.
Moreover, the Democratic Party often touts itself as the “party of feminism,” the party that truly gives women a voice and defends women’s rights. From abortion advocacy to the nomination of Hillary Clinton, and now, the ascendancy of Kamala Harris as Biden’s running mate, this looks true on the surface, but these are merely talking points. When it comes to policies or laws that affect women, the Democratic Party is nowhere to be found.
Right now, women are fighting hard just for the right to play sports against only other women, which seems fair and consistent with Title IX. Still, the transgender movement has invaded even women’s high school and collegiate sports. Transgender females, or biological boys who live as girls, are now vying to compete against females in sports competitions. Due to their biological advantages, they often win.
To deal with this issue, Idaho passed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which the governor signed in March. A judge just temporarily blocked enforcement of the law pending the results of the trial. Democrats have been quiet when it comes to supporting women in this arena. Instead, they vouch for the gay and transgender lobby, who often pit themselves against religious liberty issues. Sometimes they prevail (see Bostock v. Clayton), and sometimes they don’t (see Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission).
Religious liberty should be a bipartisan issue. So should school choice and abortion. Yet unfortunately, it was clear at this week’s convention that these will not be a priority for them. If their record means anything going forward, Democrats will likely be the ones challenging freedoms the First Amendment has already secured, as two Democratic attorneys general proved in Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania, another case they lost in the Supreme Court.
Nicole Russell (@russell_nm) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. She is a journalist who previously worked in Republican politics in Minnesota.
