Graham: Now that we can breathe, to whom do we owe thanks?

By Ciera Graham / Herald columnist

I think I speak for many Americans when I say that election week brought on a range of intense emotions; early in the count I felt sadness, rage, despair and — most importantly — I questioned the moral conscience of our nation.

As a woman, and person of color, I have never doubted the existence of two very distinct Americas. The America I remain hopeful for is the one that granted a working-class woman of color like myself the opportunity to be the first in her family to go to college, then receive a doctoral degree. The America I am hopeful for has created economic and social opportunities for people of color, the working class, LGBTQ populations, women, and the undocumented so they can all get a piece of the American Dream, and participate equally.

The America I am hopeful for differs quite substantially from the other America I must also currently navigate. This America has created systemic and institutional barriers for the above populations, it has created glass and concrete ceilings that prevent upward mobility and advancement for women, it has instituted roadblocks for getting out of poverty, and it constantly forces minorities to contend with their second-class status. This America was upheld by the Trump presidency, and predicated on white supremacist, sexist, xenophobic, transphobic, and homophobia rhetoric and policies. It regarded life as a zero-sum game where one person’s gain led to the loss for another.

When I think of the presence of two America’s, I am reminded of the profound quote by activist, novelist and poet James Baldwin: “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in rage almost all of the time.”

Across the country, Black Americans have grappled with grief, trauma and rage as they navigate incidents of police brutality and racism and deal with the ramifications of covid-19. But yet, part of the Black experience is this unsettling, and unshakable belief in a different America, a hope and a desire for change, and an unwavering commitment to honor and continue the work of our historical giants such as Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and Rosa Parks.

Being Black in America, and being self-interested is impractical; we have always been a people motivated by the collective. And even in the face of America turning its back on us, and its continued denial of our justice and freedom, we still believe in saving this democracy, time and time again. And we know no presidency will lead to the economic and social uplift of all Black America, which is why we remain cautiously optimistic and committed to creating a better America by organizing and cultivating opportunities in our own communities.

This year we’ve seen the highest turnout among Democrats in the history of presidential elections, and the movement of our country toward a better America is largely due to the efforts of Black people, specifically Black women. Black people in predominately urban centers like Atlanta, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Detroit helped Biden win swing states. For years, America has been trying to suppress the Black vote; from the institution of voter ID laws, and the closing of polling places. But we showed the world that our resilience and our rage is stronger than their disdain to suppress our voice.

America has always had a complicated relationship with Black America. America has hijacked our ideas, ripped apart our families, buried black culture and our accomplishments, and stolen our intellectual genius, but yet somehow when America needs restoration and change, they flounder without the help of Black America. America, it’s naïve of you to think that you can have your cake and eat it too; you can’t depend on the same people to save you that you vigorously work to exclude. Like many Black Americans, I am tired of showing up and saving America without little apology or acknowledgement. We know the social conditions of Black America will not change, because there is no amount of Black voter turnout that can rid America of it’s past and current racism.

Exit polls show that 91 percent of Black women voted for Biden. I, like many Black women grew tired and weary over Trump politics, and many Black women are accustomed to carrying the world on their back; we do it every day, in our homes, in our workplaces, and, yes, in politics. Black women have always had to contend with the laziness and complacency of America, unfortunately.

I am thankful for the work of Stacey Abrams; her organizations Fair Fight and the New Georgia Project worked to register people to vote, and helped engage voters of color, and young voters: two groups often left out of the political process. Abrams did the challenging work that many people before her had failed to do. She established a stronghold in Georgia, changed the voting turnout demographics, and protected voters’ access to the polls. We owe an incredible amount of debt to Black women. We’ve gone above and beyond, and what do we get in return?

For Black America, and other non-Trump supporters, we all let out a collective exhalation once it was announced that Joe Biden would be the president’eect and Sen. Kamala Harris would be the first woman of color vice president.

For the past four years, many of us have been holding our breath, filling this tightness in our chest and in the way we move, and afraid for our friends, and our own neighbors who were deeply affected by a Trump presidency. We feared for our safety, and the safety of our loved ones.

While we can celebrate and bask in this collective win; we must still contend with the fact that there are virtually two Americas; and how do we begin to bridge the gap and heal? Any forward progress and radical change in this country will force us to do so. But for now, I will breathe and most importantly, as a Black woman, I will rest.

Follow Herald columnist Ciera Graham on Twitter @CieraGrahamPhD.