Mara Gay: Mamdani has done something special, and progressives need Black voters to make it last

Political Analysis - Progressives need to connect with Black voters, who are crucial for the Democratic coalition [1][2][4] - Older Black voters' political traditions are complex, based on trusted relationships, practicality, and tangible policy benefits [6][7] - Experience with Jim Crow impacts older Black voters' cautiousness and skepticism towards politics [7] - Building trust and respect is essential for forming coalitions, even with disagreements on some issues [8] - Even Barack Obama initially struggled to gain Black support [9] Democratic Party Strategy - Young Democrats must find meaningful ways to include Black voters in their coalition [5] - The Democratic Party needs to address how to appeal to Black voters in upcoming midterms [10] - Politicians need to be comfortable with Black people and understand their experiences [7] American Identity - The sentence "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal" defines American common ground and the American dream [11][12] - Celebrating the Declaration of Independence can help unite the country [13]