During the 2024 elections, things were dicey for those who rooted for Kamala Harris. From the beginning, it was a risk. It was unlike America to consider a biracial woman president, but there she was, standing loud and proud in front of the podium.
We’ve been here before, back in 2016 when another woman tried to take a stab at the presidency. Back then, it was a risk too, but she was a white woman. Some people thought she had a chance, but as a kid, even I knew it was unlikely for a woman to be president of the United States. Lo and behold, that assumption was correct and we continued to have the equivalent of a dictatorship for the next 4 years.
Biden running against Trump back in the 2020 elections was a godsend, but it wasn’t a perfect miracle. I voted for Biden back then because he would protect LGBTQ+ rights, and fight to make college cheaper, but in all honesty, the cherry on top was that he wasn’t Trump. The day after Biden got elected, Philadelphia collectively shouted in victory. Horns were honking, music was playing, and parades were happening downtown. It was a big deal, and most people in Philly seemed happy with the decision.
However, during Biden’s presidency, I was saddened by how he handled the genocide in Gaza. He gave more weapons to Israel and continued to refer to it as a “war” when it is in fact, a genocide. But mass murder aside, he still supports fracking which is harmful to the environment and he, to a certain extent, feels the need to appease certain politicians over solving problems. Which is a disappointment, to say the least. He has, however, put new policies and permitting in place to make sure fracking is done “right”, but it seems like a one-step forward and two steps back kinda deal.
During the 2024 elections, Biden was initially going to run. I, unenthusiastically, was going to vote for him again. Trump was just not an option in my mind, no matter who ran against him. It was a disappointing realization that I was just voting for the person who wasn’t Trump, but when Kamala stepped up, I think we all were taken aback.
Biden stepping down was interesting, as the Democratic party felt he was no longer the best candidate due to his age and other factors. Though Trump was still a perfectly good Republican candidate? Go figure.
Nevertheless, Kamala’s campaign was full of hope and optimism. She focused on issues plaguing the American people, and she was a refreshing perspective, as she was a real person. She worked at McDonald’s to help pay for college, she gave back to communities, and she was just, a human being in a way we haven’t seen in politicians before. At the height of her campaign, I found myself almost thinking, “Maybe she could win”.
Election day was hard. I tried to not follow the polls, but I couldn’t help myself. Trump is terrifying. Trump brings upon me paralyzing anxiety that I may not have a place in the country, a place in the world, or a place in my state. When the results came in, the world fell silent.
There was no honking, no music playing, and no parades. Just silence.
I cried so much that day. I worry for my future and my life. I worry about being in a gay relationship. I worry about everyone else who is a woman, a person of color, queer, or just, not a white man. This world wasn’t built for us in mind.
My main frustration is that I almost thought maybe she could win. I knew America would disappoint like it always does, I knew it was unlikely, I knew it was a risk. But I believed anyway. Kamala brought hope in ways I never thought possible, and it pained me that such a qualified and inspiring candidate could lose to a felon! What kind of society do we live in? An American one, that’s for sure.
If anyone out there felt similar during the elections, know you’re not alone. This election was hard, and there is a lot at stake. Take care of yourself, and ground yourself in your morals. Don’t start hiding, don’t de-transition, don’t stop living. This is not a time to throw up our hands, this is a time to roll up our sleeves.
