Every so often, we’re jolted awake, reminded of the entitlement that hangs thick in the air of American history—the audacious belief that Christopher Columbus “discovered” America. Today, that same entitlement is embodied in the election of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. For many, this is an extraordinary, if not troubling, return for a former leader who refused to concede his last loss, stoked an insurrection at the Capitol, faced criminal convictions, and survived two assassination attempts. And yet, America has spoken. Trump, the oldest, first convicted, and twice-impeached individual to hold the office, has taken it again. This moment reveals much about the state of our democracy and the choices before us.
The electoral journey wasn’t hidden behind smoke and mirrors. Our fellow Americans had a choice, and they chose him—a man whose actions and words have divided and unsettled. It’s hard to look away from the stark reality of this decision and what it means. Latino men, white men and women pushed Trump to victory. Trump clinched the presidency, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris after winning battleground states like Wisconsin. That victory alone places him firmly at 276 electoral votes, projecting him back into the White House.
This isn’t just about one man’s comeback. Trump’s return symbolizes a shift in the values some Americans hold dear. It’s a stark reminder of where we are as a nation—a place where historical scars, racial tensions, and economic divides create a reality where the improbable becomes possible. Four years after he was removed from office, he is back, not without baggage. The two impeachments, the court battles, the felony conviction, the fierce rhetoric. And yet, here we are. This is our America.
A Return to the White House
Donald Trump addressed his supporters last night, promising a “golden age of America.” He focused on familiar themes of economic growth and immigration reform, though his campaign statements often veered from fact into fiction. The win also means that Republicans are projected to secure control of the Senate, bolstering his political power as he reclaims the presidency.
Kamala Harris, who sought to make history as the first Black woman president, felt the sting of this loss. She was expected to address supporters at her alma mater, Howard University. But as the results became clear, she canceled her appearance. Despite the promises and plans she laid out, the key battleground states swung back to Trump. He once again cracked through the Democrats’ so-called “Blue Wall” in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, reviving the strategy that first brought him to the White House in 2016. This time, he even won the popular vote—a feat Republicans haven’t managed since George W. Bush in 2004.
Harris’s loss is a significant moment for those who hoped to see the glass ceiling broken, particularly Black women who have long felt overlooked by the political system. There was a chance to make history, but it was lost in the stark division of this electoral map, where race, gender, and party lines define the vote.
The Role of Women’s Votes
When it came to women voters, the numbers tell a story of division and missed opportunity. Only 54% of women supported Harris—a decline from the 57% who backed Biden in 2020. The data doesn’t lie. A significant portion of white women cast their vote for Trump, choosing him over a fellow woman whose platform sought to restore rights that, in many places, had been stripped away. States like North Carolina, where women recently lost reproductive rights, saw heavy campaigning to sway women voters. Yet, despite the urgent calls for change, many white women did not rally behind Harris, 52% of white women voted for Trump whereas 92% of Black women supported Harris.
This was an echo of 2016, another pivotal moment when Hillary Clinton sought the presidency. Now, in 2024, white women once again had a choice to confront the patriarchy or to uphold it. And many, once again, chose the latter. This moment offers a sobering reminder of how much race, gender, and party loyalty intersect in American politics. For Black women, the disappointment cuts deep. Once again, they showed up, casting ballots in Harris’s favor, hoping that she would represent them on the world’s stage. But their support alone wasn’t enough to counter the tide.
Michigan’s Influence
Michigan, a state at the center of these battleground shifts, played a critical role in Trump’s victory. Known for its diversity, resilience, and industrial history, Michigan has become a bellwether in national elections. After supporting Democrats for nearly three decades, it flipped to Trump in 2016, then to Biden in 2020. This year, it returned to the Republican column, delivering Trump its crucial 15 electoral votes. Michigan is a state that encapsulates much of America’s struggle—between blue-collar and white-collar, urban and rural, diverse and divided.
For many Michiganders, this choice was influenced by economic promises, the same ones that have often come and gone with little impact on their daily lives. Jobs, wages, and opportunities hang in the balance here. But for Black voters, especially in Detroit, this result underscores a familiar pattern. They turned out to support Harris, with a hope that their voices would drive change. But Trump’s success with suburban and rural voters pulled Michigan back into the Republican fold.
A Familiar Disappointment for Black Women
This election cycle has reminded Black women of their critical role in America’s democratic process and of the disappointment they often face. These are the women who organized, who mobilized, who cast their votes hoping for a government that would respect and represent them. This night brings a different story. The resilience they show in the face of systemic challenges is unwavering, but this loss feels deeply personal. It isn’t just politics—it’s about being seen, respected, and valued in a country that too often doesn’t seem to understand their worth.
America has, once again, chosen a path that disregards the voices of many who have given so much to build it. Black women know about sacrifice. They understand resilience. And yet, they find themselves here again, witnessing another moment where their dreams are deferred.
As the dust settles, it’s clear that there is work to be done. Black women, who are so often at the frontlines, will continue to stand tall. They will keep showing up, because that’s what they do. They understand the importance of being heard, even if the system doesn’t listen. And they will keep pushing, because history has shown them that change, however incremental, often begins with them.
The Path Forward
In this America, the election of Donald Trump is a reflection of the deep divisions that continue to shape our society. It is a call to action for those who believe in equality, justice, and the power of diverse voices. There will be debates, arguments, and likely more division. But there will also be resilience. Communities, especially those of color, have faced these crossroads before. And they will rise, even in the face of challenges that seem insurmountable.
Donald Trump’s return to the White House is not the end of the story. It is a new chapter, one that calls on each of us to examine our role in shaping the future. The question isn’t whether we’ll see change. The question is how we’ll respond when faced with the choices that define who we are as a nation. For Black women, for communities of color, and for those committed to justice, the work continues. And in that work, there is power. There is hope. That is what we must hold onto.
“If I fall, I’ll fall five feet four inches forward in the fight for freedom. I’m not backing off.” – Fannie Lou Hammer
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