Drexel Heard provides a unique voice as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and the youngest Black Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Drexel formerly worked on President Obama’s Presidential campaign, and throughout the 2020 Presidential Election, he has been sharing commentary as a Political Analyst for NPR, BBC and BBC Radio. His knowledge of the government system, keen sense of domestic and international policy, and love of Washington News naturally created his strong political voice, which he happily utilizes through social media and many other outlets to lead the generation through any political climate. We spoke with Drexel about the current state of United States politics — from Black Lives Matter, to COVID-19, to the 2020 election. Please read our interview with Drexel Heard below. And then, if you haven’t already, please go vote!

Where are you based?
Los Angeles, CA.

You are a Political Analyst for BBC & NPR. Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
Occasionally I'm asked to come on to provide insight into what's going on in the political world, opinions on hot button issues, or (based on precedence) what may be happening next.

What inspired you to work in politics?
I've always been interested in civic engagement and history. But it wasn't until Aaron Sorkin created a show called "The West Wing" and an AP Government teacher in high school introduced the class to it that I really took a hard look at what I may be interested in in the future.

What does your current day-to-day look like right now during the election?
Phone calls, Zoom calls, pacing back-and-forth in my office while watching the news. Honestly, we're focused primarily on getting Democrats elected, not just Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, but Democrats all across the county. All politics are local, governing is local, change is local. So we have to work hard to ensure that we're electing good people and especially good Democrats. Most of my day is spent talking to campaigns, our allies and partners, and more to strategize about the next steps not only for THIS election but what's coming next after November 3rd.

How is this election different from when you were working on Obama’s campaign?
Well, when President Obama first ran social media had just really taken off, and that has since changed the way we handle elections and interact with voters. Between the time that President Obama was elected, we had Sarah Palin, the rise of the Tea Party; successfully gave 20-Million more Americans healthcare, we clawed our way out of a recession, had a foreign advisory interfere with our elections, got Donald Trump, got back into a recession, and then a pandemic. I'd say a lot has changed and a lot has happened, and that has affected this 2020 Election. People are more engaged and more aware of what's going on. So, hopefully, we're done with the "Donald Trump experiment."

This election seemed like it could have been one of the most progressive in history, but instead, we ended up with two old white guys (and not the progressive one Jejune was secretly hoping for). How do we keep inspired and hopeful for the US?
Ironically, VP Biden and Senator Harris have the most progressive platform in the history of the party, which is saying something because Hillary Clinton also had the most progressive platform during her campaign in 2016 as well. This fight over "progressive" is wild to anyone who follows politics. We've got to stop trying to "out progressive" each other. Our country is only 244 years old, and we've got a long way to go. Our democracy is designed to change over time with leadership like any other nation. We've watched progress every time Democrats have been in the White House: civil rights, women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, technological advancements, progress in healthcare, climate change, and more happened under Democrats. Our need for "instant gratification" is because social media has trained us that way, but it’s not how our government works. Change is constant, but change takes time and is painfully slow. However, we can be hopeful that even based on history and precedent, when Democrats are in power we've always made the necessary progress. We just have to win first.

There are many pertinent issues within the United States that we want to get your perspective on, the first being COVID-19. How do you feel about the California Government’s handling the COVID-19 Crisis? Do you feel it is better/worse than the whole of America?
California is the largest state in the nation, eclipsing other states in population. Per capita, for the situation we're in, we're doing much better than other states. What Governor Newsom was good at was working with those around him, especially the scientists, to determine the right course of action for California. People are getting antsy, going out, partying, etc. and so you're going to see spikes in locations. Hopefully, we won't have to go back into a lockdown again, but that's going to be up to people realizing that there's so much more at stake.

How do you feel COVID-19 has affected the US 2020 Presidential Election?
It's had a huge impact on how we vote and how comfortable people are voting in person on Election Day. It's had an impact on the psychological profile of every voter and reminded us just how important it is to have competent, empathetic leadership not only in the White House but in Congress.

What were your thoughts on the presidential debates?
Debates are like dog and pony shows. They're a lot like a tweet that goes viral – hopefully, you get one or two good soundbites that people can latch onto and the media can replay over and over. I mean, look, Joe Biden went out there and made a strong case, and deflected President Trump's attacks on his family. The President met the low bar on the second debate, and that's about all that he could muster.

How do we make sure voters know the facts when we have a president who is notorious for lying in general, but also in the debates?
In general, consider the source. From Day ONE President Trump and his administration lied to the American people. I say take everything this man says with a grain of salt, do the necessary research, and block out the tweets and the noise.

California saw the appearance of fake ballot boxes in mid-September. What are your thoughts? Do you think we will see more of this?
The CAGOP and their partners admitted to putting out these fake, unofficial boxes. It's sad to see Americans who claim to put "County First" do exactly the opposite, especially when it comes to democracy. Republicans have shown time and time again that they will do whatever they can to cling onto power - even if that means disenfranchising and confusing voters (even their own). I think when we win on Election Day, and the day after Joe and Kamala are sworn in, we have to get to work on protecting and solidifying the right to vote.

What do you think about mail-in voting?
Safe and Secure. Always has been.

For the past ten years, we have definitely seen a rise in social media’s influence on communication methods. Where do you see social media having a negative impact when it comes to the current election? Do you think it can be used for good? What advice do you have for conscientious social media use?
Social Media definitely has had its positive impacts on society. Through social media, we have been able to organize faster and get people engaged in a whole host of issues. It's allowed us to hold people accountable better, and reach those in power and even sometimes affect things for the good of the nation. On the other hand, people have had a harder time parsing through the lies and the noise and the bots. My advice is not to follow or amplify questionable people or things. Take a look at their feed, if they are tweeting crazy – chances are they're not worth the time.

In your professional opinion, what makes quality political commentary and analysis? Do you have advice for readers on how to parse out the quality when there’s so much quantity?
Whether it's MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, or whoever. Those who can speak realistically and authentically on the things that are going on around the country make the best commentators. I think far too often we get people on TV or radio who can't connect, and that has a lot to do with keeping their personal lives out of their commentary. I think people want to hear from people and how they've dealt with issues and can bring that to the conversation and analysis. That's what I try to do at least.

Can you give us your perspective on being a Black, gay man in politics in today’s America? Do you feel your voice is being heard?
Good question. I mean, being Black is hard. Being LGBTQ+ is hard. Being both at the same time has its challenges. I will always be Black FIRST in a room because that's what people see. Once they find out what I do, or try to parse out how/if I can help their cause in some way, then they really start paying attention. It's a little wild, but that's just the way it is. For me, my voice is only as good as how I use it. And I definitely intend to use it as long as I've got the platform.

Do you think the US will start seeing positive change from the BLM movement?
It's had an enormous impact on the future and the future for Black lives, especially the lives of Black men. While we're not seeing the swift accountability that we would normally see in cases involving non-POC, what we ARE seeing is that people are starting to pay attention. We're seeing more people pull out their phones when Black Americans get pulled over or when there is a possible injustice happening. That sense of community and looking out for marginalized lives has affected not just Los Angeles, but the country. We're seeing MORE people of color run for office and get involved in their communities. We're seeing measures hit the ballots and legislations hit the floors of state houses. That's going to be the future on a larger scale. It's sad it took even one Black life to make that happen.

What are your thoughts on how the current President has handled the Black Lives Matter movement?
Is that a question? He hasn't handled it. That's the answer.

How do you see it impacting the election?
Record numbers of African Americans are about to vote, and ‘white guilt’ is a thing that's going to turn people out to right the ship. It's going to have an impact in areas that we may not have even considered.

How are you staying positive during shelter-in-place and now this election?
Self-care is important. I try to keep a routine of my normal TV shows I like to watch, check in with friends, and order lots of wine.

What is your life motto?
I try to stick to that proverb that Hillary Clinton talked about a lot: "Do all the good you can." That's really what it's all about, right?

To learn more about Drexel Heard, please follow him via the below platforms:
www.drexelheard.com
Twitter: @drexelheard
Instagram: @drexelheard
Facebook: @drexelheard

Black LGBTQ+ Political Analyst Drexel Heard Gives Us A Sane Look On Politics On Election Day