By Trinity Taylor
I am a junior at Howard University, and on November 5, I had the pleasure of voting for my alumna, Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside my mother and father. Although it was not my first time voting, it was my first presidential election.
Leading up to Election Day, the excitement, pride, and civic engagement on campus were contagious during Harris’ 107-day campaign season. It was a big deal at Howard University to have not only a Bison on the ballot but also a Black woman Bison. That was history, regardless of the outcome. University clubs and organizations consistently encouraged people to vote through social media, infographics, and tabling events. Even student entrepreneurs incorporated the election into their businesses on campus.
For example, Tyler Plummer, the owner of the fashion brand Oak District, sold clothing items with Harris’ face on them. Service-based businesses were offering discounts to customers who showed proof of voting, like Eldana Mengistu, owner of the business Dana Did It (“If Dana didn’t do it, it ain’t done right!”) who offered a 15% discount to customers who showed proof of voting. She specializes in nail and retwist services, which is a big deal on campus. By combining what people loved with civic engagement, many on campus creatively helped drive change and spread voter awareness.
At the same time, there was some fear surrounding this presidential election for Howard University students since we reside in the nation’s capital and attend the same University Harris attended.
We know that Washington, D.C., is a focal point for both positive high-profile events and dangerous activities, from protests to frightening unrest such as the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. Therefore, there were concerns about personal safety on campus connected to the Vice President’s affiliation with the university and her presence on campus. But we were primarily concerned with casting our votes.
I understand that another critical aspect of civic engagement is holding elected officials accountable, even when we support them. I noticed a lot of idolization of Kamala Harris at Howard, but I also saw some students holding her accountable, especially regarding the Israel and Palestine conflict. I believe every candidate should be open to constructive criticism from the public because they are supposed to work with us and on our behalf. I strongly disagree with and will never support genocide. We need to advocate for steps toward peace rather than help fund what is killing millions of innocent civilians just because people in power around the world lack effective conflict resolution skills. It should never escalate to the killing of innocent people.
While presidential elections draw significant attention, voting is just as important in state and local elections because they directly impact people’s daily lives. State and local governments handle many issues affecting communities, such as education, healthcare, public safety, and infrastructure.
By voting in local elections, citizens have a say in shaping their immediate environment and can address issues that matter most to them. State and local officials are usually more accessible than federal officials, making it easier for citizens to hold them directly accountable. By consistently voting in state and local elections, you actively shape the policies and environment that define your daily experiences, helping create a community that reflects your personal values and priorities.
The nation now has a Republican trifecta — presidency, House, and Senate Control — on a federal level, and I am deeply concerned for our future, especially for people of color, the working class, the LGBTQ+ community, women, immigrants, students, and those in poverty. I worry about the potential for increased police abuse if Trump’s plan to expand immunity from prosecution goes through.
I’m also concerned about the potential loss of federal funding for schools that teach critical race theory and the dismantling of the Department of Education, which heavily benefits low-income families. I worry about federal funding getting cut for HBCUs. I am concerned about the future of my HBCU.
I fear restrictive abortion laws that could harm women’s health and lead to the prosecution of healthcare providers, even in cases where a patient’s life is at risk. The potential future amendments of Title IX concern me. Specifically, I fear the rules will revert to their original form from Trump’s first presidential term. This would undo Biden’s changes that expanded protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. I am concerned about who will be appointed to the federal judiciary, and I worry about the fact that Trump is becoming Commander in Chief.
Overall, my most significant concern is about the future of this country. I realize our civic engagement continues after we vote. We need to continue to be there for each other, spread awareness, and command change for issues we deeply care about. Our work is not done on Election Day; it’s just the beginning. We must stay informed, stay involved, and continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to us.
This article was originally published in Word In Black.
