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Copyright, 1983
By Julian Bond
National Association of Black Journalists
The Fairmont Hotel
New Orleans, LA
September 8, 1983

The argument can be easily made, almost too easily. Let me state the case for you. A Black American should run for president in 1984 because:

(A) the race itself will increase registration and make it more likely that Ronald Reagan and Reaganism will be defeated next year;

(B) a black person must run to prove to our children that Black people can have unlimited vision and ambition in America; not to run denies our youth their future; and

(C) running a Black candidate will force the white candidates to adopt "Black" positions on foreign and domestic issues, giving true weight to our numbres in the electorate.

Are these reasons why? Let us begin at the beginning.