When I turned 18, I was very excited to make my voice heard through the voting process. Understanding that my ancestors put their bodies on the line to ensure my right to vote throughout history, I envisioned my first participation in the presidential election to be one fraught with enthusiasm.
This election cycle has been aggressively excessive. Ratings-hungry TV news outlets cover Donald Trump like he’s the coolest thing since shea butter, while the Democratic National Committee reminds us how undemocratic they really are. Ultimately, I’m forced to choose between three candidates. And I’m not sprinting to the voting booth for any of them.
Bernie Sanders
I have to admit, at one point, I was behind Sanders. His socialist rhetoric had me screaming “yaaaasss” while I listened to coverage of him on NPR. Unlike many politicians, I feel as though I have a good grasp on the issues he actually cares about.
I thought it was cool he did a few things during the Civil Rights Movement (although I am sick of being reminded by Sanders stans of that every three f*&%^$# seconds). But his participation in something that provides equity to the lives of black people does not earn him brownie points in my book. I am not about to praise a white person for doing the right thing. Furthermore, as the race progresses, his dreams of bringing democratic socialism to the States is unlikely.
In order for Sanders’ plans to work, he needs very progressive Democrats to hold the majority in Congress. His goals require a major overhaul in the American capitalist tradition. But how could he get the Congress he needs when there is massive support behind the Republicans blocking the Supreme court nominee? Furthermore, he not only needs a progressive Congress but for the states to oblige as well.
Thinking long term, his presidency could further the political divide, making bipartisan progress toward racial, queer, and gender justice obsolete. A political revolution really does need to happen. But will his electorate assist him in carrying it out?
Donald Trump
When I first found out I was like…
Then, I realized he was actually running and killin’ it in the primaries…
And now he’s the presumptive Republican nominee…
Trump’s genocidal, transphobic, sexist, racist, and Islamophobic statements are no secret. His words are rallying up the Republican electorate. They seem to not care about his bad leadership skills. Leaders do not call people losers. Can you imagine Trump’s orange ass sitting in meetings with women world leaders and calling them ‘Pocahontas?’
Trump and his squad long for the ‘good ole days.’ This arbitrary period of time seems to fall between indigenous genocide, slavery and the height of the War on Drugs. None of these times were particularly lit for black people.
I just…HOW IS HE WINNING?!
Hillary Clint0n
Let me be blunt, I do not like her. When I see Hillary Clinton, I see white feminism. When I listen to her words, I hear a continued legacy of white women using the backs of women of color to obtain their perfect world.
Both Hillary and Bill’s patronizing attitude toward black millennial activists is very disheartening. When I see her and her team pandering to black people for votes, I imagine how this will play out when it’s time to perfect Congressional bills addressing systemic racism. The likelihood of Clinton resisting white saviorism is slim to none.
Furthermore, her ultra moderate stance on issues and her tendency to do what she needs to get votes is concerning. Are justice issues something Clinton holds high on her list of goals as president; or, is she just talking out of her ass to get votes?
Sanders’ policies are not reasonable and his stance as a socialist might not allow him the chance to pull in people who are undecided. I have considered voting for Jill Stein. But, in the tradition of past elections, third-party candidates tend to not come close to winning the Oval and sometimes decide elections. And I cannot look at an orange face in front of the White House for the next four years.
Despite my intense hesitations toward Clinton, I might end up voting for her in the fall. She can’t publicly descend into the same intense genocidal rhetoric as Trump because of her multiracial electorate. I wish I could write that she doesn’t have a history of engaging in dog-whistle politics, but her past (and lowkey her present) is very real.
Her ability to work with Republicans could mean that things could actually get done. But what would this look like? Would it be a watered down version of the justice people of color deserve?
One thing is certain, electing the right people to Congress is key. But what is also important is that the revolution doesn’t die. Change can’t only come from Washington, D.C. The revolution happens in the streets and in classrooms.
It’s only May. So much could happen. President Obama could invite all the black people in America to the White House for a black-ass cookout and he could transport all of our black selves to a planet far away, untouched by crazy white people.
