It's the Brian Larry Show on WNYC.

Good morning again, everyone.

Now we continue our WNYC Centennial series, 100 Years of 100 things, looking at the history and possible future

of a hundred different people and topics as WNYC celebrates our 100th birthday. We hope it's a fitting

birthday observance. We hope you've been enjoying the series consistent with our mission of

deepening knowledge and thoughtfulness these last hundred years, a hundred years of a hundred

things. Thing number 31 today, relevant to the election year, a hundred years of black Americans

struggle for voting rights and who they voted for for president. With the Democrats worried that

more black men than in the past might vote for Donald Trump,

former President Obama, in a recent appearance, spoke directly to black men who are considering that choice.

And so now you're thinking about sitting out or even supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you? Because you think that's a sign of strength?

Because that's what being a man is, putting women down?

That's not accepted.

Former President Obama speaking in Pittsburgh last week,

we'll come back to the choices facing black voters, including black men, today.

But let's look back at history.

After the Civil War and the end of slavery,

the 15th Amendment to the Constitution ratified in 1870

said the right of citizens of the United States to vote

shall not be denied or abridged by the United States

or by any state on account of race,

color, or previous condition of servitude. Of course, the 15th Amendment only applied to men at the time.

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