In a post-election interview with rolling out, Azad Ahmadi, fight veteran and board chairman of the Georgia Black Republican Council, discusses the implications of the Democratic Social gathering’s defeat in 2024 and affect of Donald Trump’s presidential victory on the Black group. Ahmadi emphasizes that politics shouldn’t have an effect on how folks deal with each other and requires unity no matter political affiliations, pointing to potential financial advantages of Republican insurance policies.
Ahmadi is a Black Republican, and has confronted brutal criticism for his Republican Social gathering membership. He notes, nonetheless, a optimistic shift in how his political beliefs had been obtained within the Black group, notably amongst Black males, throughout this 2024 election cycle. He attributed the Democratic Social gathering’s loss partly to their reliance on celeb endorsements, which he stated didn’t resonate with voters, and their underestimation of social media’s affect in spreading consciousness of issues in Democrat-led cities. Ahmadi additionally means that Trump’s authorized challenges helped him join with Black male voters who’ve skilled comparable remedy within the justice system.
Monisha Brown: Hello, rolling out household. As we speak, I’m honored to talk with and to introduce you all to Azad Ahmadi, who’s a former U.S. Military officer, a fight veteran, small enterprise proprietor, and the board chairman of the Georgia Black Republican Council, which is a GOP affiliate. Azad, welcome to rolling out.
Azad Ahmadi: Thanks for having me.
Monisha Brown: Completely. The explanation I’ve you right here is as a result of, clearly, the post-election outcomes didn’t end up how the Democratic Social gathering anticipated. However, right here we’re. January the first, 2025 is days away. We should determine this factor out and coexist. I introduced you right here as a result of, as a Black Republican man, you have got a singular perspective. What’s your first message to these of us in the neighborhood who’re upset in regards to the election outcomes?
Azad Ahmadi: Effectively, my first message can be that politics is politics. It has no bearing on how we deal with each other, and it shouldn’t have any bearing on how we associate. My first message can be considered one of group and unity.
Monisha Brown: What’s your message to members of the family, mates and group members who’re merely afraid of the unknown?
Azad Ahmadi: First, let’s all suppose again to 2016 and to 2020. Donald Trump has already been president and Black Individuals aren’t concerned within the chain. We have now not misplaced all our rights or rolled again to a time that intently aligns with slavery. I’ve heard so many individuals point out that Trump would try this.
The second part of that’s, we’re shifting into a brand new age the place concern politics and fear-mongering aren’t essentially engaged on our group. That’s the principle cause the left misplaced. All the pieces’s going to be okay. The world just isn’t coming to an finish. We’re going to make it nice once more, interval.
Monisha Brown: What do you see as among the advantages or among the alternatives {that a} second Trump presidency might provide Black Individuals when it comes to job progress, entrepreneurship and financial advantages?
Azad Ahmadi: Usually, smaller authorities signifies that there are much less obstacles between the constituent, or the citizen, and their pursuit of their happiness.
It’s no secret that the Republicans are very a lot for smaller authorities. The Republican Social gathering and this administration are extra intently aligned with our core values, the identical core values that helped us construct the good Black center class. I’d encourage residents to benefit from the financial alternatives.
Monisha Brown: How do you reconcile being a Black man who’s a Republican?
Azad Ahmadi: That is fairly easy. I’m a God-fearing man first. Proper? I wouldn’t take into account myself an excellent non secular particular person. I did, nonetheless, develop up in and across the church. My biblical values information my decision-making in life. I made a decision that the insurance policies of the best had been extra intently aligned with my core values, the core values of my grandparents, nice grandparents and so forth.
I’m much less involved about the best way folks view Republicans in our group. I’m not right here to be appreciated. I’m right here to face on enterprise and be helpful to folks in our group. So, when it’s all stated and achieved, I can care much less about what anyone else thinks about it. I’m comfy in my very own pores and skin. I’ve been referred to as the whole lot underneath the solar. I’ve been each sort of Uncle Tom.
I’ll inform you, in 2020, once I was having conversations in my barbershop issues had been very tense. In 2024, those self same conversations are simple to have. Individuals sit up for listening to my opinion. I believe that speaks to the social motion in Black America because it pertains to values.
Monisha Brown: I wish to go deeper. Such as you stated, beforehand these conversations had been extra contentious. Even BET visited your house and interviewed you. Individuals wish to hear what you suppose and what you say. So, if you’re speaking to different Black males and different members of the Black group, what’s the collective voice?
Azad Ahmadi: Previous to this previous yr, I’ve heard loads of Black Individuals, males particularly, being very vocal in regards to the insurance policies of the left and the hypocrisy. Lots of them have warmed up and opened an eye fixed to Donald Trump and the Trump administration.
Monisha Brown: Now, when it got here to the messaging, from Biden as a candidate to Harris as a candidate, did the group really feel just like the message was overly manufactured?
Azad Ahmadi: A variety of the usage of celebrities didn’t sit effectively with him. I’ve heard folks speak about it. The celeb alignment for brothers was a failure as a result of the dialog, at the very least once I’m having that dialog, all the time morphs into one thing that’s not political. I believe loads of brothers didn’t actually view these celebrities because the leaders or because the face of Black America.
Monisha Brown: Azad, you introduced up an excellent level. When Meg the Stallion carried out right here at considered one of Kamala’s rallies, it moved the dialog away from politics and into one thing else. Then, the messaging acquired misplaced. Is that what you’re saying?
Azad Ahmadi: Yeah, I’d say so.
Monisha Brown: Okay, I’ve heard that earlier than. The place do you suppose the Democratic Social gathering acquired it incorrect? The place did we miss?
Azad Ahmadi: I believe the Democratic Social gathering underestimated the magnitude of the affect of social media. Social media uncovered constituents, who’re attempting to determine who to vote for, to what’s taking place in Chicago. They’re uncovered to what’s taking place in Los Angeles with the sanctuary cities and so forth. And, they’re uncovered to what’s taking place in New York.
Monisha Brown: That’s good perception. We are able to see issues taking place in different places.
Azad Ahmadi: I don’t know if you realize, however 34% of Black Individuals that migrate to Atlanta are from New York. I heard this gentleman say, “Don’t New York my Atlanta.” I believe that’s the best way folks understand the success of Democratic insurance policies in blue cities.
I’m going to depart you with this final remark. I’ve nothing in opposition to Democrats or our Democratic leaders in our communities throughout the nation. My suggestion is that this, give attention to the outcomes. Don’t fear about advertising and marketing. In case you produce the outcomes, you’ll all the time have the folks. That’s primary and quantity two. Most significantly, you could serve the agenda of all folks.
Monisha Brown: Effectively, you realize what? You simply gave us a masterclass in post-election technique.
Azad Ahmadi: Thanks, Monisha. I actually admire your time. Let me know should you want something within the close to future.
Monisha Brown: Completely. Once more, thanks.
This text has been condensed from an in-depth dialog with Azad Ahmadi. For the total scope of his insights we invite you to expertise the whole interview by clicking the video hyperlink above.