By: Janiyah Gaston & Dominique Martinez-Powell
Since Kamala Harris was announced as the new democratic presidential candidate, there has been a huge outpour of support for her from the Black community. In light of this, the Black students of SIU were asked to share their thoughts on Harris’s campaign for the presidency.
Mehkilei Holmes, a first-year student, said that it is a great thing that Kamala Harris is running for president, because she resonates with a variety of different groups.
“She already has the support of a lot of people, especially the Black community, with her being a Howard alumna and also a[n] AKA [Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc,]. [...] Kamala Harris has the connection to the more important voters - the younger generation of kids - than any other politician right now,” he said.
Holmes said that he agrees with a number of Harris’s policies, including lowering the tax rate for the middle and lower class and working to free men who were charged with marijuana possession.
“[These are] policies that should have been put in place a while ago[...]It's unrealistic to sit here and continue to try and raise taxes or keep taxes as they are when people aren't making enough money to pay now,” he said.
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Daeshawn Vinson, a second-year student, said that while he thinks Harris has a strong voter base, he has doubts about her ability to pull through on policies when in office.
“Kamala seems like the type of person that everybody wants the Black vote in the presidential election,” Vinson said. “So, they play on what we need every election. But once they get into office, there are a bunch of regulations and rules, and they can't do this and that. So, it's like a bunch of empty promises and I feel with Kamala is the perfect face, being advertised. But I don't know if that's the right choice, just because Kamala is Black type.”
Fourth-year student Enan Chediak said seeing Harris run for president is a historic moment for the Black community.
“I think the awareness that she'll bring to [our] specific needs is something that just isn't going to be able to happen for someone who's not part of or had experience with the Black community like she has. So, part of it is just the experience and the representation, the fact that she's representing the community is, I feel, very important,” Chediak said.
Kamala bringing awareness to the Black community is important because there are few moments in history where something like this has happened, he said.
“Get out there and vote. It may seem futile, or it doesn't really matter because at the end of the day, it is the heads of the state that pick who their state votes for, but it's important that at least they know that hey, this is who their people want,” Holmes said.
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