HONORING OUR ANCESTORS WITH ACTION
REACHING BACK TO MOVE FORWARD

“. . .Look I am so proud of the race we ran. And the way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by love of country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America's future. And we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us.” Vice President Kamala Harris

The election results are devastating for democracy. It is not just that Trump and Vance will be in the White House. It is not just that the Senate – with its powers to impeach will be majority Republican, and it is not that the House of Representatives - which is currently trending to another Republican majority – will have the power to do Trump's bidding. It’s not even the fact the majority on the US Supreme Court is already in the pockets of Republicans.

No, it is the amalgamation of all these things that will dismantle the system of "separation of powers” and lead to the death of democracy. Our system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch of our government from becoming too powerful will cease to exist.

It is beyond who is leading our country that will set America back 100 years. It is the oppressive laws and legislation that will be created to destroy our children’s future and take away our civil rights.

It is the attitude and actions of the people who support them. People who will have no problem calling Black people names, denying us services and calling the police on us for no reason. It is the actions and attitudes of the kinds of people who vilified Haitians in Springfield Ohio after the lies of Trump and Vance claiming they were eating cats and dogs. It is the approval given to “comedians” who refer to Puerto Rico as an island of garbage. It is the actions and attitudes of the proud boys and others who feel vindicated for staging an insurrection, beating and killing people in the process.

It is – or was – our right to vote for whomever we wanted to see represent us. Sadly, many African Americans who voted for Trump will not understand fully the error of their decision until they are confronted with its reality.

That reality will come when the attitude and actions of MAGAs endanger their lives simply because of their race. The MAGA’s will not ask how they voted. They will simply see the color of their skin. They will see us all as the enemy without regard to how one may have voted. This is not dramatic exaggeration; it has already begun.

Our forward movement has been thwarted, so we must look back for knowledge and motivation. How did we achieve all that we have achieved through history? How do we move forward?

The "Sankofa bird" is a symbolic mythical bird, originating from the Akan people of Ghana. With head turned backwards while flying forward, its symbolism "going back to get it" – means we must learn from the past to inform and guide the future. Essentially, the importance of remembering and drawing wisdom from our history to move forward successfully. 

So let us look back for the lessons. Let us honor the work and sacrifices of leaders like John Lewis, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and so many others whose hard work and sacrifice helped us to vote for incredible leaders such as Shirley Chisholm, Barack Obama, and Kamala Harris.

Let’s not wallow. Let’s work. Let’s build coalitions, mentor our youth to political leadership. Let’s teach our community that politics is chess not checkers and how strategic participation leads to victory. Let’s remind them why voting is an obligation, and how passing the baton to the next generation ensures our future. We do not have the luxury of not voting. Our responsibility is mentoring youth and active participation in the election process. With our commitment and participation we can transform America into the democracy we envision. One of diversity, equality and inclusion.

The Black Caucus honors the great leadership of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. In 107 days, they united millions of Americans.

Vice President Harris stood before the students at Howard University and declared that we will never give up fighting. Because when we fight, we win. She is an example to emulate. She gave her all as a District Attorney, Attorney General, Senator, Vice President and a Presidential candidate for the people. Her presidency would have transformed and united America. We owe them a great debt of gratitude, and the best way to repay that debt is to commit to voting, commit to participating if the politics that shape and inform our lives and commit to fighting for democracy.

We paid too much attention to the personalities in the race and not the plans. So now, we rise from the agony of defeat to take action. With mid-term elections as our next opportunity to affect change, the Black Caucus will work diligently to arm people with education and activism.

Our Plans include:

• Recruit and support African American youth who want to learn the political
  process and what to prepare to run for office.
• Educate the masses on why voting is not a luxury, but an obligation.
• Strongly support and mentor the Youth Caucus and support Youth leadership in
  Democrats Abroad and Democrats Abroad France
• Direct youth to organizations that will train the next generation to run for office.
• Support the campaigns of youth who are running for political office.
• Raise funds to create long-term internships for African American youth to
  educate and engage them in government leadership.

You see the future is theirs - not ours. With this recent election it could take 20 or 30 years before we can right the ship of democracy. Those of us who are now retirees will be approaching 90 to 100 years old.

It is their future we must secure. Supporting the leaders of the future is our job. So let us grieve, mourn, kick scream and holler no longer. Instead, let us focus on the future of our children and grandchildren, while we look back at the resilience and determination of our enslaved ancestors, and freedom fighters. Let’s work, not worry.

“The adage is, only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here's the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a billion brilliant, brilliant stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.”  Vice President Kamala Harris