For as long as I could remember (which really isn’t saying much), the results of the election have been announced before the day concludes. Americans are not used to waiting for the President and Vice President Elect to be announced, especially not a couple days. From November 3rd to November 7th, citizens and residents spent that time biting their nails, anxiously waiting for a final decision. On November 7, 2020, history was made. Vice President Elect Kamala Harris’s successful election was game changer for black women. This country has been run by white men since the very beginning. These Fortune 500 companies attempt to place an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, but what about our political system? Minorities are extremely underrepresented. We are in the 21st century and minorities are still accomplishing being “the first” for many things – as she was also the first Black woman to serve as Attorney General. As a fellow blogger, Smokedgoudaenthusiast, said on their blog (read more here) Kamala is an inspiration to young woman of color. She gives hopes to us. It’s reassuring to see the heights reached by someone who physically resembles you. Seeing a Black woman as the face of American can be just the motivation someone needs to go after everything they dream and deserve.
Kamala is the representation of a “Yes!”, that has been preceded with a countless amount of “No’s” and maybe a couple of “Hell No’s”. There are women who paved the way and were possibly knocked down trying to get to where Kamala is today. Women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated were the first to display a public act of solidarity as Black women during the Women’s Suffrage March in 1913. Members of this organization continued to be the first Black women in many important roles that have paved a way for Black women such as Kamala Harris. Soror Karen Bass was the first Black woman to serve as a Speaker of a state legislative body. Soror Barbara Jordan was the first Black woman elected to serve in Congress by a former confederate state. Soror Shirley Chisholm was the very first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. She went a step further in being the first Black woman to run for a Presidential election as a democratic party candidate back in 1972. These women were pioneers for Black women in politics. They stood for what they believed in and fought until their voices were heard. Succeeding these women are political figures such as a group of women of color known as “The Squad” who were initially elected to Congress in 2018. You can read more about them in the blog written by Jaykream (read more here).
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Vice President Elect, Kamala Harris
Despite this pandemic, I would definitely say that this a time to be alive! Women of color are achieving wonderful accomplishments, setting the bar higher and higher day by day. These accolades take a kick at intersectionality. As Malcom X once said, “the most disrespected/unprotected/neglected person in America is the Black woman”. We have to change this narrative. And who’d be more fit for the job than a Black woman? Women have been considered the underdog for way too long. If you didn’t know by now it’s time for us to get in formation – become one! As women, we all have the same goal. We can be a movement separately, but a powerful force when brought together. Congratulations are definitely in order to Kamala for breaking barriers!
“We have to change this narrative. And who’d be more fit for the job than a Black woman?” – YES! APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!
YESSS! Its so easy to talk about the history that has already happened, but living in it is soooo much different. What will we tell our future children about our experiences? This definitely something I’m going to share with them.