In an election that will be etched into American history, Vice President Kamala Harris — a woman who embodies resilience, intelligence, and a deeply rooted commitment to justice — lost her bid for the presidency to Donald Trump, a convicted felon out on bail, facing sentencing, and notorious for his inflammatory rhetoric and divisive policies. This election is more than just a surprising outcome; it’s a gut-wrenching reminder of the challenges ahead and the precarious state of American democracy. Despite Harris running an epic campaign, tirelessly connecting with voters, and putting everything on the line, her extraordinary efforts fell short. For the first time in over two decades, a Democrat has lost the popular vote.

Trump’s victory, a man found liable for sexual assault in a civil court and whose racist remarks are publicly broadcast, represents a reality many Americans did not believe possible. Yet here we stand, with a convicted felon poised to hold the highest office in the land again, echoing a deep, unhealed fracture in the American psyche. Astonishingly, Trump managed to secure his base and improved his standing in nearly every region since 2020. 

The Power of Fear: Southern Strategy 2.0

The mechanics of Trump’s strategy echo a familiar playbook. In this election, we witnessed what could be called Southern Strategy 2.0, a modernized appeal to fear and anger, manipulating anxieties around immigration, transgender rights, and what the opposition calls “wokeness” — code words that have come to signify everything from teaching the truth about history to respecting personal identities and freedoms. In plain sight, Trump and his allies stoked fear about immigrants “invading” the country, stirred anger over transgender rights, and demonized the call for honest historical education, especially regarding slavery and racism in America. Despite pundits claiming the economy was the decisive factor—a bizarre assertion given that Trump left it in ruins while Biden achieved recovery—it was calculated fear-mongering that succeeded. This tactic divided communities and mobilized voters, not just around policy, but through a visceral, emotional resistance to progress and diversity.

Many Americans were told that they were under attack by forces within their own nation — by neighbors, educators, and advocates for equality. These tactics have proven as powerful as they are damaging, making marginalized groups into scapegoats and solidifying Trump’s grip on a coalition that is willing to look past his convictions and indiscretions if he promises to preserve their version of America. Fear and anger were sold, and they bought it. This election revealed a reality we cannot ignore: people knowingly voted against their own interests, embracing candidates whose policies harm the very communities they claim to protect. This is the paradox of democracy.

Project 2025: A Blueprint for Erosion of Rights

What makes this loss even more foreboding is Project 2025, a blueprint already laid out in plain sight. It promises a sweeping rollback of civil liberties, targeting everything from books to voting access, reproductive autonomy, and ending public education. They have not hidden their intentions—in fact, they have telegraphed them boldly. Every disenfranchised community is in the crosshairs, and if his words are to be believed, America’s democratic norms are in jeopardy. 

There is an undeniable sense of fear, of anxiety, of an overwhelming question: What now?

The impending four years present an array of battles we thought we had won, yet here we are, gearing up to defend them again. This is not the America we envisioned, but it is, unfortunately, a stark reminder of a truth that has long been with us. People have historically chosen leaders who legislate against their own interests, who promote division over unity, and who prioritize power over people. And while it baffles us, it also reminds us that democracy, at its core, is about the whole — not the parts. Sometimes, those parts are bound to make decisions that don’t benefit the collective good.

Gratitude and Resolve: Thank You, Kamala Harris

So, we must pause here to recognize the historic campaign Kamala Harris ran. She poured herself into this race with authenticity and integrity, which elevated the political discourse, demanded that we be better, and called us all to aspire to a stronger and fairer America. Harris’ campaign was as nearly flawless as any in recent history. On her worst day, she stood with strength, grace, and intelligence that overshadowed Trump’s best. She carried with her the hopes and dreams of generations of women and people of color, who saw in her a leader who could transcend the boundaries of race and gender while advocating for the vulnerable.

We thank her, knowing that her fight was never solely her own. She fought for every American who feels unseen, unheard, or marginalized. Kamala Harris has earned a place in history.

A Path Forward: Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Looking ahead, we know that Black Americans have been here before. This is not the first time we have been called to resist, endure, and fight. Our history is one of overcoming, and if there is any silver lining, it is the resilience that has been ingrained in us. We have risen from slavery, Jim Crow, and systematic oppression, and we will rise from this, too. The road ahead is difficult, yes, but it is not impossible.

The question now is, What will we do? This is a time for community, solidarity, and a recommitment to the principles that make us who we are. It is a time to organize, educate, empower, and resist — not with despair, but with determination. Democracy demands engagement, and it demands that we all do our part. We cannot afford to disengage or to despair. The stakes are simply too high. We are part of a long line of fighters, builders, and dreamers who believed in a vision of America that has yet to be fully realized. Let us honor them by staying the course, even when the path is uncertain.

Kamala Harris may have lost this election, but her example remains a beacon. Her journey — our journey — does not end here.