Doug Jones’ shocking win over Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore has the internet over the moon. One hashtag has emerged: #BlackWomen.
Yes, 98 percent of of black women who voted yesterday in Alabama did so for the victorious democratic candidate.
A CNN exit poll shows the vast majority of black women voted for Jones, and 93 percent of black men voted for him, too. This is a stark contrast to the 63 percent of white women and 72 percent of white men that voted for Moore — who has been accused of sexual misconduct against minors.
People on social media are thanking women of color for being largely responsible for Jones’ win.
“The real tea is Black women saved themselves not y’all,” one Twitter user said. Several others posted GIFs of black women in powerful situations, like a scene from “Hidden Figures” and Beyoncé at the Super Bowl.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), pointed out that “we need to do more than congratulate them.”
“Let’s address issues that disproportionately affect Black women–like pay disparity, housing & underrepresentation in elected office,” she said.
See more reactions below.
#BlackWomen helped elect a Democrat to the US Senate in AL for the first time in more than 20 years. But we need to do more than congratulate them. Let’s address issues that disproportionately affect Black women—like pay disparity, housing & under-representation in elected office
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) December 13, 2017
Alabama is 69.3% white, 26.8% black; according to exit polls from @washingtonpost 30% of all Alabama voters in this race were black (and most of them voted for Jones). That's amazing turnout in the same state that has spearheaded minority voter suppression (see Shelby v. Holder). https://t.co/aNqYSxsAnu
— suraya (@surayakhan) December 13, 2017
Black women leaving the polls. You're welcome Doug Jones. #AlabamaSenateElection pic.twitter.com/h8YjTukiuY
— Quwn ? (@HarlemNoir) December 13, 2017
An adult Roy Moore sexually targeted white teen girls, Alabama white women voters said, "So?" Doug Jones went after the Klan for killing 4 black children, Alabama #blackwomen said: pic.twitter.com/dF7m7DWPrn
— Helena Baptiste (@?) ?️ (@sumbodysbabygrl) December 13, 2017
"Alabama is a deeply Republican state, and the #AlabamaSenateElection will almost certainly go to Moore despite his vile behaviour."
Black women: pic.twitter.com/hTwh6vaK5J
— Ben (@MrBenjiWeb) December 13, 2017
America: No way Black Women will pull off this upset in Alabama.
Black Women in Alabama: pic.twitter.com/q2dDLYSrsh
— Deontée Gordon (@deongordon) December 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/YeshaCallahan/status/940801277889597440
black women of Alabama walking into work tomorrow knowing they defeated their MAGA coworkers. pic.twitter.com/aUxxba3hkt
— uncle vaun. (@_Vaun) December 13, 2017
Progressive voters did not win Alabama. The black vote won Alabama. President Obama’s showing up and stumping for Jones with the black vote won Alabama. The black women who basically run the grass roots get out the vote in Alabama won Alabama. Progressives showed up.Good for you.
— ⚖️ one damn thing after another (@CooperKrimshaw) December 13, 2017
Black voters – black women voters – many of whom are undoubtedly descendants of enslaved laborers in Alabama just said hell no and, once again, delivered a deliberate message, a challenge to the heart of America #NoMoore #AlabamaSenateElection
— Dr. Justin Shaw (@JustinPShaw) December 13, 2017
Lest we forget what it took for the opportunity for black voters, particularly black women, to deliver an unlikely victory in Alabama. pic.twitter.com/O5fscSJAH7
— Athleisure Mom, Marcia Chatelain, 42. (@DrMChatelain) December 13, 2017
The real tea is Black women saved themselves not y’all. pic.twitter.com/kuQdTsPHEx
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) December 13, 2017