Transcripts For MSNBC Black Women in America The Road to 2024 20240930

C1 im not the candidate of black america, although i am black and proud. I got into this race for one reason and one reason only. To fight. Black women are phenomenal. Theyre dynamic, intelligent and consistent at the Ballot Box. But that consistency has at times been taken for granted. Theres no One Type of black woman. Black women exist everywhere. Black women live in city, they live in rural areas, black women shine in hollywood. Manage seats in corporate america and occupy some of the highest offices in american government. Hi everybody, good afternoon. Reporter black women are continuing to make history as mayors, in state houses, as first ladies, and as supreme court justices. And now, possibly the first black woman to be elected to the highest office in the land. We are not going back. Black women are not a monolith and their views are varied. And with an existentIal Election on the horizon we are looking to black women to see what theyre thinking and what if anything candidates can do to earn their votes in november. Im simone sanders townsend, and im melissa. Greetings to you. This is black Women In America the road to 2024. And were standing in the smithsonian Portrait Gallery where you have some equally impactful black women who are perhaps a little less well known. Like hornsel. We have all heard of their eyes were watching god. That was hornsels baby. She also happened to be the librarian at my high School Lincoln Park academy in fort pierce, florida. Not while you were there. Of course, of course. Over here we have marrian anderson. Very regal. Look at the fur. Anderson was the first black soloist to perform in the philharmonic. She also performed on the steps of the lincoln memorial. I believe this is what the portrait was. This is her concert at the behest of First Lady roosevelt. The First Lady invited her to give her concert here and the rest is history. The rest is history. And a beautiful portrait came of it. So many icons are in this building. Bethune is also here. The list it really goes on. Even though this rich history is all around us, we are right now on the precipice of perhaps an even more historical moment as we step into this president ial Election Cycle. Simone and i decided to take our show On The Road for the summer and we went all over the country talking to black women about this upcoming election and whos going to earn their votes and why. To get a pulse on what matters most to black women this Election Cycle, melissa and i took a trip to essence fest. Its the preliminary event for all things black. When we spoke to the ceo essence, she said depending on how this election goes years of progress in america could be lost. The conversation with our community has been, we are not at risk depending on who you choose to vote for. We are not at risk of handing off something that didnt progress. Were at risk of handing off something that went backward. My 8yearold niece, shes 30, but shes 8. But like, the conversation i may have to have with io is that generation takes the mantle is one of no love you dont have the same Reproductive Rights that i did. We talk in the black community a lot about the talk. The talk with your young black sons. Now were having a different talk with our daughters. But we need to be prepared for that consequence. Every election we have at the forefront of our mind what how what we want to vote for. The difference is that its not going to get something its that were going to lose a lot of things that we got from the prior generation. That we wont be able to hand off. And so that day when you dont want to get up off your couch and go vote, or you dont want to do an Absentee Ballot because you wont be able to get it that day. Help me understand how im going to tell iao how im going to have that talk. Yes its been about where do you vote and what are the issues that are important to you and its there. But its also been about apathy. And theres places where that may file not to vote but in this one it matters so much more. Reporter this president Ial E hraebgts could election could be make or break. And yet there are still some folks out there who are considering sitting this one out. For more insight on where people especially young people are ahead of Election Day. Melissa and i went to my nail salon. Cosmo Beauty Bar in washington, d. C. To speak with three millennial black women. One of whom is voting in North Carolina about their plans this november. How are folks feeling about this Election Season . Its crazy to say the least. Yeah, im feeling a little iffy. The first time i was able to vote was for hillary clinton. That was my first and last time because i feel like, okay i felt hope that hillary would win. I felt excitement from the community around me. I just had so much hope. Then look what happened and so now im like, did my vote really matter . I dont know. Were you excited to vote before the switch or were you just going to sit it out. I was probably going to sit it out. I agree. It was definitely sitting it out. I was not voting at all before the switch. Im still up in the air. Obviously im a muslim woman so its very nervewracking and very scary for me. Its already hard wearing hijab in public. When you talk about project 2025 its kind of scary. Are you suggesting for both of you, that you could potentially vote for Donald Trump. Absolutely not. Absolutely not. So its purely just about sitting out the election as opposed to voting for someone. Im rooting for everything black if im being super honest. If im voting, thats the way im going regardless. But i mean im still nervous. My original opinions were i was going to vote for biden. I wasnt totally confident in him one i was confident in who he would surround himself with. I would rather vote a Celery Stick into the office rather than trump. Im hopeful she can get the job done. I dont think Donald Trump has done anything for us in the past and i definitely dont think he would do anything now. Everybody keeps screaming i got 1,200 stimlouse stimulus check. Its gone, its been gone for years, let it go. I just dont think really to be honest. I dont feel like my vote matters. Really . I just really dont. I dont. Because if enough people think like me maybe that would matter, so. What are the issues that would inspire you to vote and how are they not being addressed right now by government. Not any particular candidate but just sort of government. Student loans, i understand that biden said he dismissed all of those Student Loans. He did. I didnt see it on my account. The supreme court shut down the Student Loan plan. I think this is a really important point right. We live in a system where governments can do things but theres always this other check. I know people that even the supreme court got their Student Loan forgiven. Not me yet. Im waiting for them to get to my box. But you dont know anybody who had their loans forgiven. Not yet. We keep getting these tweets on rip somebody, its sad. And emotional draining for us as a community and people. And its always some crazy situation where someone should not have had to die. I was just about to mention that, yeah. Im trying to get help yall. What do you need help with. Drop the pot. Develop drop the pot. How did that make you feel what Donald Trump said about masseys death. We need to have dignity back. It hurt my feelings. Im raising a little boy. I worry for my son every day. We talk about every issue except Reproductive Rights which if you follow the news is the most important issue for women. Is it important for you. 100 . Im prochoice but i personally for myself dont believe in abortion. But i dont believe in putting my beliefs on other people. Just because i dont believe that, i dont think its right for everybody. I know somebody right now. Close friend of mine who is going through this situation. And she said they are making it so hard. The situation is shes pregnant and she does not want to be. She does not want to be. Shes like i dont know what im going to do. Do you think any of these candidates are addressing the questions of Reproductive Rights from a frame that i have children and i want to raise them in conditions of economic Security And Safety and what are you doing for me government. I dont know the only thing i know about Vice President harris, i know shes i think shes historically the first Vice President and or president whos actually visited a Planned Parenthood and spoken on that. Thats the only thing. Any thoughts about the down Ballot Races and does that change your calculus if youre going to participate in this election. I feel the down Ballot Races are more important. Does that mean youre thinking about voting in this election down ballot. Yes. But youre undecided if youre going to leave the top of the ticket blank. Undecided. Everybody talks about black women and black women are going holding the democracy and are going to save democrats. Are you ready to hold up democracy . Absolutely not. I can barely hold up me. I think there is that narrative that black women have to play super woman to so many things. I know a lot of black women, a lot of the black community are just kind of like, they just expect us to support them and what have they done for us. I feel they put us at this high standard and if Vp Harris is elected and if she doesnt do the things shes going to do in these four years, right. Its going to be oh she promised us this. She didnt do this. Which is the same thing for everything that biden has promised and trump has promised. But theyre going to put more pressure on her. Black women are running for congress and winning and america could potentially elect the first Woman President of color who is black and of South Asian decent. I am glad that were at this point in time that we can have these opportunities. Skwrtz what would convince you, this is my candidate. Affordable housing. Reproductive rights. What are she going to do for people that are in a predicament they dont want to be in. Health care, as well. Affordable health care. And police reform. If i hear her plans on that and i like it, ill vote. We got dee to commit that shes going to the Ballot Box. Strange from the mouths of young millennial black women. Thank you for your time. With Vice President Kamala Harris on top the democratic ticket. Well talk to five women who for decades helped write the Play Book for black women in politics. And were talking to olivia polk, kerry washington. I always feel like its a really good opportunity to remind people that they have more power than Olivia Pope. Each of them has the power to influence this election in far greater numbers than she could. Ever yday, more dog are deciding i time to quit the kibble and feed their dogs fresh food from the farmers dog. Made by vets and delivered right to your door precisely portioned for your dogs needs. Its an idea whose time has come. Known as a loving parent. Known for lessons that matter. Known for being a free spirit. No one wants to be known for cancer, but a treatment can be. Keytruda is known to treat cancer, fdaapproved for 17 types of cancer. One of those cancers is advanced nonsquamous, nonsmall cell lung cancer, where keytruda is approved to be used with certain chemotherapies as your first treatment if you do not have an abnormal Egfr Or Alk gene. 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Keytruda from merck. See all the types of Cancer Keytruda is known for at keytruda. Com and ask your doctor if keytruda could be right for you. San franciscos been through tough times. London breed led us through the pandemic, declaring an emergency before anyone else, Saving Thousands of lives. From growing up in the western Addition Housing projects to becoming mayor, london has never given up on the city that raised her. London is getting people off the streets and into care. London never gave up on me. I found a home, and my life is on the right track. London made it super easy for me to open my small business, by cutting city fees. And shes reinventing downtown to make our City Vibrant again. Shes building 82,000 new homes and helping first time homebuyers, just like us. And londons Hiring Hundreds of police officers, and arresting drug dealers. San francisco has been through difficult times, but our hard work is paying off. Working together, were building a better future for the city we all love. Ad paid for by reelect mayor London Breed 2024. Financial disclosures are available at sfethics. Org. Monica hill was the first black person to serve as Campaign Manager for a major president ial bid. Tina fonoy. Yolanda, Minya Moore served as the chair of this years democratic national convention. And Bishop Leah Sphz Daughtry served for the conventions. Four of them are authors of the book For Colored Girls who have considered politics. What does chism say . If they dont give you a chair at the table bring a folding chase. Well were in the real chairs because this is important. The work were doing is important but we stand on shoulders too. 60 years ago, lou haimer. Before representative shirley was there. Mr. Chairman and to the credentials economy, my name is mrs. Lou haim er. Before that rosa parks, before that and before that. All the women, all the people who fought, who stood when they had no one helping them but each other. And those are the people that we look to. Aida b. Wells that made sure in this moment when women wanted the right to vote she got in line. She mobilized the Sorority Sisters to join the march on that historic day when women said, its our turn. Its our turn to vote. So if we go all the way back to the days of the suffrage movement. Coming out of the abolitionist struggle. This has been a long journey. What i am so gratified to see a grateful is the breakthrough. And yes shirley chism, Lou Haiman knocking at the door asking for a credential. Literally. Literally, i can give my credentials at this table. History is an arch. And we are just part of the latest part of this arch. And it started with the nameless women who were enslaved in this country who stayed living and breathing to create this trajectory for us. For all of the women, we certainly take our responsibility seriously. To kick doors open, to kick them open wider. To make more room at the table. For the next iteration. People are going to make decisions at the Ballot Box and everybody is talking about what black women are going to do . How are black woman going to show up in this election. Black women continue to save the world. They site the numbers from secretary clinton and obama. They talk about Joe Biden in 2020. And you look at the Drop Offs in the margins and. What do the ogs the gurus think about this . If we want a taste of freedom. If we want to believe that this democracy needs to be saved then we have to be participants in it and we cant continue to use the narrative that black Men Wont show up because its a female. What is true in my humble opinion, is that we have to change how men see women and we have to give them the visual of a commander in chief. And i believe that Vice President harris has done that quite well. I thought that hillary had done it quite well. So we still have to push because if we blink, people will see something different because theyve never seen it before. And its, i think its up to black women. I think its up to white men, i think its up to asians, lgbt community, how do you envision a woman as president . Were going to be fine. Were all in this together. Yes, we are. I think what she has navigated so remarkably well, is how she has conducted herself in the job she had before her. And its our job now. I think its our responsibility to help tell that story. Because, people dont know what Vice President s do. So yes, we define her role, her responsibilities but also, her successes. She has been an incredible Vice President. Im hearing things that i, i never heard about Joe Biden. Things i didnt hear about barack obama. Stuff i did not hear, you know when i read about bill clinton. The dei candidate attacks. The calling her. Crazy kamala. Crazy kamala. Comrade. Whatever you can come up with. It is i think for a lot of people watching especially black women, its a familiar Play Book. We have to be loud, we have to be vocal, we have to be assertive. Because when a president ial candidate stands in a mic and says she is not smart. We have to have responses to that. And it has to come from all these Affinity Groups that have popped up. And you have the white man for kamala, the white dudes for kamala, you have the lgbtq for kamala. All of us have to come together and condemn that stuff. The country has just been on the down swing. Just everybody is depressed. We went through covid, four years with a crazy president. And its just, it came back when biden got elected. Whats happening right now, is like the mood of the entire country has changed overnight with the switch. And people are feeling hopeful and happy again. And theres joy. Joy. All the republicans do is call people names. Have they once laid out any kind of plans about what theyre going to do for america . The day after Election Day, and Vice President Kamala Harris has won. Where do you go from here . What do you do next . And we have to think, the day after Election Day, and shes lost. Okay. What do you do next . You get up and you keep moving. Pick yourself up and keep moving. Okay. Because the fight is going to be even more important in many ways. You have to fight against what that is going to be. And our nation does not become, does not fulfill its promise and does not become the perfect union because she wins or she loses. Thats true. Thats right. There will still be more work for us to do. Particularly as black women. Now she wins we have a partner. Uhhuh. That will help us do that work. She doesnt win, we fight harder. More armor. But the fight continues because weve got a lot of work to do to make this country fulfill its promise. The day after Election Day and we want to return to a country where the Rule Of Law is part of our fabric. And that we continue to have equal justice. Its a time of opportunity but also of hope. And i want to end by saying this, the kids, All Of Us we were in our 20s when we all got in this fight. We want to see those doors continue to open. The table is expanded. More chairs in the room. More people, and hopefully well have a new generation that will find their place in public service. We have committed our lives to not just helping one individual but public service. This is a country, we come from families who have served in the military. We come from all different backgrounds. Regions of the country we still want a country as good as promised. So thats, thats what we want the day after Election Day. And thats what im going to fight for. Up next, with the fate of reproductive freedom taking Center Stage this election, well take you to our Nations Capitol to discuss why this issue is a matter of Life Or Death for black women. Or death for black women. Reproductive freedoms, voting rights, these are just some of the issues affecting women in this Election Cycle. I sat down with two revered scholars at the School Of Law in washington, d. C. Nelson is President And Director council of the naacp fund. And the Jordan E Sherman jr. At howard law. Heres our conversation. Typically weve seen conservatives really been animated by Abortion Rights when they go the polls and specifically curving Abortion Rights. We havent seen the struggle for voters. What is it like to have the court, the legal landscape and this question around Abortion Access be at the Forefront Of Where Black Female voters are . I think black women understand acutely how important reproductive health is to the thriving of not only themselves but to their families and to communities. When rowe Versus Wade was passed it increased College Graduation rates for black women by 10 . It increased their presence in the Labor Market by nearly 7 . And that in turn made it less likely for black children who were part of the broader community that benefited from reproductive access. It made it more likely for them to not be in poverty. For them to have higher Graduation Rates from college. We will see black women driving this issue because they have so much at stake. There is not just Justice And Freedom at stake, literal lives are at stake many this election. I think conservatives are going to rue the day that they have woken up this sleeping giant. Because black women have always as janai was suggesting approached the suggestion of reproductive freedom in a model. It has always been for black women around family planning, around the ability to raise their children. Around access to public transportation, around access to jobs and Child Care and head start. All of those things were part of the package for black women who were pushing for reproductive freedom. Whats the connection here between this distorted electoral landscape and what were seeing on the ground from State Legislatures and then whats being refracted through the supreme court. The connection between Open Access to voting, between democracy, between the ability of people to robustly participate in political Life And Access to abortion has always been there. Now it is come even further to the surface. We note that even in states, where women have come together to put access to abortion on the ballot as Ballot Referendums we find american legislatures now trying to block what we would think of as the ultimate form of democracy which is the referendum. Everybody votes up or down on a particular issue. We understand that what theyre after is something more than just ending abortion. It is about control and it is about political power. How does this affect black women in particular who seem to be more engaged than ever even as these enormous losses in terms of Voter Laws and gerrymandering. What were seeing now is a real hypocrisy. Meaning that voters could elect legislators who could give them the right to reproductive justice. The more burdens you put on a woman by forcing them to have a child when shes not prepared to do so. By limiting her job prospects, by limiting her Health Access that makes it difficult for her to be part of democracy. Allowing a predominantly male culture, and predominantly a white male culture to dominate our democracy. And the supreme court there are two women of color. As we know, president biden nominated brownjackson to serve on the supreme court. Black womens rights have never been more precarious. Is there something preverse about seeing yourself reflected in these institutions while also seeing these Institutions Withdrawal the rights you have enjoyed. As fraught as this was, as antagonistic lawmakers wanted to be, she narrated that position and black women were not going to sit idly by and watch her get attacked. As we think of the current congress and how diverse it is. There are 30 black Women Congress members and that is unprecedented. The entire 118th Congress is unprecedented in so many historic ways. Based on gender, background, religions. In so many ways thats due to the power of the vote of not only black women but young people and other constituencies in our electoral who are beginning to vote in numbers that can allow us to not only see ourselves reflected but to have a sufficient number of us to do the work that will advance our communities, advance our interests and ultimately advance our democracy. Up next were headed to pennsylvania to check in with suburban women. Yes, there are black women in the suburbs to discuss where their minds are ahead of this election and how our political views are at times misunderstood. Thats ahead on black Women In America the road to 2024. Leo [whistling] ever since we introduced him to the farmers dog, its changed his quality of life. Leos number 2s are really getting better. Better poo, better you thats a good boy, leo Tmobiles 5g Network connects a Hundred Thousand Delta Employees so they can make every customer feel like theyve arrived before theyve left the ground. This is how business goes further with tmobile for business. [child laughing] [child giggling with delight] come on you two. Dinner time. Ooooh. Ooooh. This year one of the most coveted Voting Blocks for either campaign is suburban women. In 2020, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris swept into office off the immense support of women in the suburbs. But this time around its important to know who were talking about when were refer ling to these very important suburban woman. These days, suburban women are more diverse than ever. We sit down with a group of women in montgomery, pennsylvania. When you think that people talk about the suburbs theyre not thinking about yall. Absolutely not. Were painted with a Paint Brush that says were not supposed to be out here any way. That were not successful that we dont have the same economic value of people that we have. The first question when you move into a neighborhood. Where do you work . Not what is your name. What do you do. Where do you work. The first thing they think that you got where you are because of diversity. Youre a hard luck came and you came up on a success because of what we gave you. We all worked hard. All of us worked hard to be where we are. I wonder how all of you are thinking about this upcoming election and various issues and what they mean for your families and how it will shape the way you think about your choice in 2024. I think in Todays Economy im almost afraid to say this. When i lived in richmond i was a registered republican. In maryland, there were a lot of people like me. And it wasnt, i wasnt afraid to say it. In todays time, im almost afraid to admit that because people look at you like youre crazy because everything is so divided. I think we took for granted in the last election that our voice does matter and that there are affirmative action. We didnt think that would go away right. And we got lazy about it sometimes so i think that as well as abortion. Obviously is a huge change in our society. And the supreme court. Thank you. Thank you for saying that. And the supreme court. If we just take a pause. Its scary. It is scary. That has to be on the line. 100 . 100 . And this like the Decorum Or Lack there of. Is that now the standard. What do the young black women saying. I dont want to speak for everyone. But its hard to imagine whats going to happen 40, 50 years from now. All our generation says Student Loan, issues with getting jobs things like that. Where obviously that ebbs and flows over time no matter whos in the white house. But its just hard to i think get our generation to see the long term effects of not being or using your political voice through voting or getting out there and just spreading whatever word you feel is best. That you believe in. Theres a growing sense of nihilism from our generation because we see the system as broken. A lot of us are in a moment like alexis said, getting crushed by Student Loans. Inflation is absolutely ridiculous at the moment. A lot of my classmates because i said, i just got my masters, so a lot of my classmates are looking for jobs. Only four of us out of 20 got jobs. People feel like the economy is going the wrong direction. People are worried about the economy in poll after poll. But my follow Up Question is who do you blame . Who do you blame for the current economic. Or do you blame anybody . Thoughts. The simplest thing is you blame the current administration. Thats just natural. I think what both partings are parties are missing in this discussion is the nuance. Black women are thinking about a whole lot more than themselves. Always, always. I dont know if everybody else going to the polls has that mentality. What do you think about that. I think black women and thinking beyond ourselves is winability because thats so scary. I think a lot of the time the country will rely on us to correct a wrong thats been made and to be completely honest with you its very frustrating. So a number of you have mentioned the supreme court. I think one of the things thats been really top of mind in this Election Cycle is Reproductive Rights and specifically access to abortion. Are you thinking about this in the other assaults on reproductive supremes including invitro fertilization. I have friend who are still trying to have children and are at a age where they need to take ivf and their having troubled pregnancies and may lose their lives because lawmakers want to make a decision for them. I think its top of mind and the Driving Force for why im going to go vote. And i dont have children but i think about my niece. And if they are talking about their decision with our fallopian tubes. Where does this go . And the people making these decisions arent women. And this leads to this exception or that exception, its never ending. Weve already opened the Door And Weve already seen whats happened even in the short time of opening that door. Still ahead on black Women In America. Were taking our Road Trip to hollywood for a check in with none other than actor and political activist kerry washington. She has a strong message for politicians who are on the ballot this year. Stay tuned and in the words of Olivia Pope, its handled. They have to do what we want them to do because we put them there. We have the power to keep them there or remove them from office. Han is 22 years old. Hes not just a pet, he really is a part of our family. Knowing that hes getting good nutrition, thats a huge relief for me and my dad. sings old Bean Piglet Head yes that is your name. If you saw his Piglet Head you would say the same. Toot toot. As the great singer Nina Simone once said an Artists Duty is to reflect the times. Theres no artist who better reflects the times were living in more than the multifaceted kerry washington. We the people are stronger when all our voices are heard. On tv she portrayed the fissional american icon Olivia Pope, an expert in crisis management. So of course we had to mike a Pit Stop in Los Angeles to hear where her head is ahead of this monumental election. Ive heard kerry said before. Ever since 2016 happened and trump got elected. People said we need Olivia Pope. We have to fix it. People like to call on her. To call on her powers to adjust democracy. I always feel like its a really good opportunity to remind people that they have more power than Olivia Pope. Olivia pope is not a real opinion but these people, folks who love her they are real. And each of them has the power to affect elections. Its just gone from one kind of election to another with this big switch. With Kamala Harris on the ballot. Whats it like to see this person that youve known for so long and many people dont nope that youve known her for as long as you have. To see this person become a national figure and now the nominee for president. I think its so powerful. You know, because i know where she comes from. I know the community that she comes from. I know the family she comes from and i feel so much Alignment And Connection with her. I love Kamala Harris but i also think its important for voters to know you dont have to love a candidate to vote for that candidate. That this is actually not about loving that person because its not about hero worship. Its not about one person coming in and solving all the problems. I always say, you have to vote based on the love you have for yourself not the love you have for a candidate. Because whats at stake right now is your own rights and liberties. We have heard that so often on this summer girls trip. That people who feel so disaffected by politics and not seeing what they wanted translated in actual policy and theyre just thinking, its not worth voting. What do you say to those people who are so cynical. I get it. I get the level of frustration. I really understand it. Because it feels like the system is not working for us but i think a lot of us have been misguided into believing that our doesnt matter. Its about whether you can pay for health care, whether you can have an abortion or not. I understand the Feeling And Frustration but i just dont want people to let go and give up their power. Just to push back for a minute, weve been talking to black women exclusively. Black women have been the spine of the democratic party. What were hearing about some of the younger women is that, this is a party that they dont think takes them seriously. That they take their vote for granted. The democrats are sitting there, we have black women on block, we dont have to do anything. Theyre ride or die. What were learning is theyre not all ride or die. A group of women we spoke to literally said i dont know if im going to vote. I need to see the policy. Were like are you voting for Donald Trump because we want to know. No were not voting for Donald Trump but i want to see the policy of these democrats. I like that people are saying dont take my vote for granted. I think thats fantastic because i think these elected officials need to know that our opinions matter. And that our values need to be represented in their offices. Ill like that they cant just get up there and vote. You have to earn me. Thats an Olivia Pope line. If you want me, earn me. Do the research on the policies and yes make sure the person youre voting for agrees with your values and with your priorities and cares about you and your community and then also, when they get in office, hold them accountable. Hold their feet to the fire. Make the phone calls. Show up at the School Board Community meetings so yes make them earn it. We deserve that as black women we know our value. Were stepping into our worth. We get it. Thats a beautiful thing. But lets also not sit out at the moments that matter most so that the morning after the election and we suddenly have an autocrat in office. Like lets make sure that were in the game. So that after Election Day, we still have the power in our hands. What ive heard from a lot of like people my age and younger voters, especially when i used to do all the campaign work. A lot of times people dont get engaged because they dont feel they know enough. When i hear about people worried that they dont know enough. One of the things i want to make sure people are thinking about is all the other races not just the president ial race. A president cannot sign a bill into law without the support of congress. Like there is a way that these checks and balances work. This is one of the things weve seen throughout these travels. People know that policy happens but they dont have as much information about who does what. And this is the generation for which Civics Education didnt happen. Because it was divested from education. A lot of things we care about most especially on the local level those issues are being managed by State Legislatures. State legislators. Local. Local politics whether its sheriffs, mayors, state senators. And those are your next president s. Like Kamala Harris. Yes. Making sure we are voting on the values and the issues that matter and all the way down the ballot is really, really really important. What happens on move sixth a day after Election Day, what do you do if Kamala Harris has won and what do you do if shes lost. Let me stop you right there. Because were not going to have a decision on Election Day. We really need to manage peoples expectations. Because the way that voting happens its going to take longer to have a decision. And theres going to be. Litigation. Look at kerry knowing a trick question. We need to get people involved, we need Poll Workers. We need people to celebrate the local officials who are certifying the vote. We need to let people know who are in those powerful positions who are counting the vote that we are counting on them to count every vote. Protecting Poll Workers is huge. This is something that you and representative howard are making sure that theyre doing their work safely and without the threat of violence. Were protecting the vote and the process. Our democracy is under threat in so many ways. We want to make people to understand that for every vote to count is we need to be paying attention to the process and protecting those heros of democracy who are showing up in this process. I think ending on Poll Workers is so important. Oftentimes it is black women who are working the polls. I cant think about Ruby Freeman and Shay Moss who were Poll Workers on Election Day. And they were targeted in this last election. Terrorized. The president of the united states is supposed to represent every american. Not to target one. But he targeted me. Lady ruby. I dont think that Lady Ruby and shay would have thought they were going to be targeted by the president. Their whole lives were changed. Their whole lives were changed. But i am happy to see Lady Ruby continues to speak out. You know what, Olivia Pope wishes she could be as strong as those two ladies. Well weve done it. We traveled across the country. There were many things that stood out to me but chief among them is the diversity of thoughts reflected. We are told many times black women think a certain way. Thats not true, black womens thoughts are varied and you have to earn their vote. And we have bethune, she was a Trail Blazer when it came to government service. She was a part of fdrs black cabinet. An orchestrater of it if you will. She truly believed education was key and that our voices. The voice of black women, The Voice of black people they belong in every single discussion about the direction of this nation. I think across people have heard us ask the questions but the question is l that asked on november sixth. And when that question is asked. The voices of black women will be answered. And thank you so much for joining us On The Road to 2024