Black women activists grieve Harris' loss, but vow to rest, reflect and remain resilient

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Published 7:18 p.m. ET Nov. 6, 2024 | Updated 10:09 pm. ET Nov. 6, 2024


ATLANTA ‒ By midnight, after a long day of helping voters, Tamieka Atkins decided to shut off the television, as results for the presidential election rolled in.

“I've done the staying up late and biting my nails,’’ said Atkins, executive director of ProGeorgia, a nonpartisan coalition of civic engagement groups. “It’s taking me a while to learn and this is what I tell other people and I'm telling it to myself, ‘Any one election is not a magic bullet to make everything better.'”

She said Black women have long fought ongoing battles over issues, including women’s rights, and winning elections.

“The work isn't done and I'm accountable and responsible to my people. So I get up. I eat breakfast. I watch the news,’’ said Atkins. “I begin to strategize. I think about 2025.’’

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/06/black-women-grieve-kamala-harris-loss/76093045007/

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VP Kamala Harris was the FIRST woman to get into the West Wing of the White House through an election. There is no discounting that achievement. There are many of us whose ancestors dreamed of the day of finally being "free" (literally out of slavery). THAT is the legacy that many black women carry when they look at this past Tuesday and compare to long ago, and see how far we have come.

[benfranklin1776]

1. Indeed! A momentous achievement 👏🏼👏🏼

And we must build on that with all of our heart and soul and continue forward like those brave marchers did against Bull Connor’s firehoses ✊🏼✊🏼

[ananda]

2. The Black community was the major target for voter suppression this year.

And it definitely worked, sad to say.

[Lonestarblue]

4. I wonder if all the bomb threats called into mostly black precincts had any impact.

[SheilaAnn]

7. No doubt about it. The non-bombs were the distraction, different voting machine brought in and perhaps rigged. I dunno.

[ananda]

8. Well, they had to shut down four sites.

So I expect it had a significant impact.

[Linda ladeewolf]

9. It gave them time to rig.

[LizBeth]

3. Can all women grieve this loss? Because black or white, we have had no woman in WH

And she is me too.

[Lonestarblue]

5. Black people have been fighting for their rights and a seat at the table for decades.

The biggest seat of all was just yanked away by millions of voters who thought a corrupt convicted white felon lacking integrity, honesty, and any concept of personal morality would be a better president than a well-educated, accomplished, decent black woman. I have often admired the ability of those in the black community who suffer a setback but pick up the pieces and keep marching on.

Several years ago, I read The Third Reconstruction by Rev. Dr. William Barber. In it he spoke of the commitment of the community of black leaders and how difficult, but necessary, it has been to maintain momentum and faith that change can be accomplished, especially after events such as MLK’s murder. I don’t know that I would have the same fortitude because right now I’m totally demoralized and wondering if we will still have any form of democracy left and indeed if Trump will even leave if he’s still sentient and alive in 2028.

[TBF]

6. I'm so grateful for their work & I know they will continue to lead. nt