“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” Malcolm X
The moment Kamala Harris was announced the Vice President of the United States, Black women were shown that they have the power to change the world. Throughout history when we think of Black women, they have always been tied to a struggle or overcoming an obstacle. For example, in school we learned about Harriet Tubman, an American Abolitionist, who escaped and led other enslaved people to freedom using the Underground Railroad or Rosa Parks, an American activist in the civil right movement. In addition, we have always heard of the stereotypes that Black women are single moms, uneducated, live in government housing, and are angry. How would you feel if you could only describe yourself as strong?
There have been very few monumental Black women to change the thinking of the little Black girl. Luckily, Harris’s story is common for Black women today considering they are more likely to pursue a college career than any other race. She is the daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. She attended Howard University, a prominent HBCU, where she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Now over a quarter of a million women belong to the sisterhood of the Divine 9 sororities. This alone has an impact on Black women’s lives and opportunities.
This time is important because it sets the standard for future generations. Exactly 100 years ago, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. Exit polls showed the power of the Black women’s vote with 91 percent voting for the Biden-Harris ticket which was also the highest percentage of any racial group. Biden chose Harris because he knew of the significance and value of Black women as democratic supporters.
The lack of Black female leadership has been addressed. We have changed the narrative of how Black people can and should exist in this country. Moving forward great changes will emerge and we will develop as a better community, city, state, and nation.
“Little girls with dreams, become women with vision,” – Unknown
By Stephon Banks, Activist Writer
