Pastor Corey Brooks has criticized Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's outreach to Black voters in Michigan, characterizing it as "liberal condescension" that relies on "socialist ideas that have already failed us." Brooks, founder of Chicago's Project H.O.O.D. (Helping Others Obtain Destiny), argued in a Fox News opinion piece that El-Sayed's platform, which includes support for Medicare for All and abolishing ICE, aligns with a broader left-wing movement that he believes views American principles as problematic.
El-Sayed, who identifies as a capitalist but has spoken at and received support from Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) events, has focused on addressing Black communities in Detroit with specific agendas for housing, minority businesses, and school repairs. Brooks, however, pointed to El-Sayed's language about "unpaid debts" owed to Black communities as reminiscent of past approaches by White liberals that he believes foster dependency. He stated that for 60 years, this type of talk has damaged Black communities, citing increased rates of children born to unmarried mothers and a perceived decline in the importance of marriage, faith, and work.
Brooks drew a parallel between El-Sayed's current campaign and the Great Society programs of the past, which he contends trapped Black Americans in a "vicious culture of dependency." He noted that the DSA's platform calls for radical changes to the American government, including abolishing the Senate and the Electoral College, which he believes El-Sayed, despite not fully endorsing, benefits from due to DSA support.
Furthermore, Brooks suggested that White progressives support candidates like El-Sayed to affirm their social justice credentials, while the Black community is left to deal with the consequences of policies that, in his view, do not promote genuine uplift. He also touched on El-Sayed's response to allegations about his family's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, suggesting that El-Sayed uses the fear of being labeled Islamophobic to deflect scrutiny, similar to how he believes White guilt is exploited.
Brooks concluded by asserting that while he works to uplift his community through American principles, those who vote for El-Sayed are moving in the opposite direction. He founded Project H.O.O.D. to counteract the damage caused by government dependency through job training and character building. He previously gained national attention for his rooftop vigils aimed at transforming a notorious Chicago block into an area of opportunity.