President Joe Biden's surprise exit from the 2024 presidential race and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee has sparked a wave of excitement, hope, and concern among Black voters. While some are thrilled at the prospect of having a Black woman as a major party candidate for president, others express worry about potential prejudices Harris may face from the American public.
Brianna Smith, a 24-year-old school counselor from Decatur, Georgia, shared her concerns about people accepting Harris as a viable candidate. “People might not accept the fact that a Black woman is running for president,” she said.
Cyria Adams, a 37-year-old hairstylist from Smyrna, Georgia, expressed her nervousness about Harris facing prejudices. “I'm nervous about Kamala Harris competing against Donald Trump's supporters and the prejudices of the American public,” she said.
Mary Jameson, a 46-year-old resident of Atlanta, questioned whether a Black woman could win the presidency due to sexism and racism. “I don't think Kamala Harris can win the presidency because of sexism and racism,” she said.
Carrington Jackson, a 23-year-old chiropractic student from Marietta, Georgia, also expressed worry about Harris competing against Trump's supporters. “I'm worried about Kamala Harris facing prejudices and competing against Donald Trump's supporters,” she said.
Despite these concerns, many Black voters are excited about the possibility of having a Black woman as a major party candidate for president. Biden's decision to endorse Harris pleased many, especially those who saw it as a path to defeating Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Biden touted his administration's accomplishments during his presidency, such as reducing child poverty that particularly affects Black families and appointing Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Some Black people expressed disappointment with Biden's meandering debate performance on June 27 but overall agreed that he had several meaningful accomplishments in office.
Biden nominated a diverse range of officials during his presidency, including 59 Black federal judges and appointing Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense. Harris is seen as a capable candidate who can energize the Democratic base and defeat Trump in the upcoming election.
Female donors have also mobilized to support Harris, creating momentum for her bid for the Democratic nomination. Her allies are now working to silence or muffle remaining doubts among dissenting donors and secure support for her campaign.
