The Weight Of Kamala Harris’ Historical Loss For Black Women

President Biden Signs Emmett Till Antilynching Act Into Law

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This isn’t the news we’d hoped for. Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to former President Donald Trump feels like a crushing blow or, if I’m being honest, a slap in the face. It feels like a deep yearning left unfulfilled; a dream deferred. It’s the stuff our ancestors’ nightmares were made of–an activation of their deepest fears. A highly qualified Black woman has lost the presidential election to a white, male convicted felon. And while we were all ready to run out and get our Madame President silk presses for the season, I can’t help but feel the palpable grief from the women in our community who have been reminded yet again: you are not good enough.

It’s taken me awhile to sit and write this. I feel like I held my breath through the entire campaign run, thinking I’d finally get to exhale. However, this morning, I let out a sigh of dread. Because while I’m grateful, we had the opportunity to see a Black woman run for the highest office in the land, I must admit this loss feels complex and unfair. She came so far, but as Black women, we know we have so much further to go, facing the same challenges of our foremothers. For Black women, the road to progress isn’t linear, it’s cyclical. Vice President Harris is a trailblazer in the political sense, but her loss is a reminder of the empowering yet exhausting position of being a Black woman who dares to dream.

Supporters of US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris react during an election night event at Howard University in Washington, DC, on November 5, 2024. Source: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / Getty

The Power Of Representation

Representation matters, for sure. Little brown girls and grown Black women have witnessed former First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris gracefully represent them through the highest political office of the land over the last 15 years. Their visibility has inspired many of us to push forward and attempt to break the glass ceilings in our own lives since having honest examples of the possibilities. But possibilities alone are not enough. Representation without actualization feels like an empty, broken promise or a painful reminder of how far Black women can come only to be held back at the finish line. Yes, seeing ourselves reflected in prominent positions is meaningful, but a seat at the table isn’t the same thing as holding real power.

Michelle’s position as not just the nation’s First Lady but as our First Lady, as well as Vice President Harris’ position, is symbolic and socially influential. But the true power lies within the presidential seat—a place Black women have been allowed to reach for, but never touch. This intentional disempowerment of Black women is pervasive and deeply rooted in this nation’s history. Nevertheless, Vice President Harris challenged the status quo and, with our support, aimed to reach the goal. I can’t imagine what emotional, mental, or physical implications have come from such a bold journey. In the wake of this loss, I can only pray her spirit is sound, her head is clear, and her emotions are protected as she navigates this unexpected defeat.

Democratic Presidential Nominee Vice President Kamala Harris Holds Election Night Event At Howard University

Chemical engineering student Brielle Jackson listens to polling results during an election night event for Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at Howard University on November 05, 2024 in Washington, DC. Source: Brandon Bell / Getty

The Double-Edged Sword Of Visibility

There’s a double-edged sword when it comes to prominent visibility. We have a Black woman who aimed for the pinnacle of political power, and with that level of gumption, she faced many micro and macro aggressions. She was teased and taunted. Conversations swept through media outlets about her Blackness, accompanied by many misogynistic and sexist remarks. This isn’t a new tale, though. Black women know all too well how it feels to be overqualified and underappreciated, needed, yet disrespected. We know what it’s like to save the day, then find ourselves abruptly discarded the day after. And this blatant disrespect towards us doesn’t wax or wane depending on our social or economic status.

We all rolled our eyes when we watched that cameraman play in Beyoncé’s face during the Renaissance movie. Imagine—an international superstar asks her male employee if specific film equipment exists anywhere in the world to bring her vision to life. Rather than admitting he didn’t know or taking the time to check, he mansplained that no such equipment existed in the dimensions she wanted. He didn’t expect Beyoncé to counter with, “I looked it up, and they do exist.” If someone like Beyoncé—a billionaire with immense social capital—can be so easily dismissed, just think how often this happens to the rest of us. You know firsthand how it feels to be disregarded. Black women encounter that sort of dismissiveness every day. From a work meeting to the presidential election, it is always a tough space to navigate. Especially with intersectionality stacked against us, we’re forced to “go high” after people take their lowest blow because everyone is watching, waiting for us to support the stereotype and confirm their biases. That’s a lot of pressure for anyone.

A Complicated Symbol

Following this loss, I’m caught between hope and disappointment, but that’s where many of us live daily. We delicately balance the world’s weight on our shoulders as we continue the ascent on the ladder of possibility to new heights. Madame Vice President Harris aimed and attempted to shatter the glass ceiling. And though it didn’t break, it cracked. It may take a thousand tiny cracks until the ceiling falls, but nevertheless: In Black women I trust.

We will find a way to win. We will excel. Black women are going to Black women, and when the next Black woman gets her shot, we will be ready to lift, motivate, and mobilize because that’s what we do. This isn’t a boast, it’s a guarantee. One of these days, we will stretch, and we will reach.