As a Black journalist, I’ve always felt it my duty to remain objective, to let the facts speak for themselves, and to give each side a fair hearing. But as the country stands at the precipice of one of the most consequential elections in history, I’m putting that objectivity aside because, frankly, it’s failed us before. We got Donald Trump because too many stayed silent, too many looked the other way, too many said, ‘he’ll never win,’ too many complained that Hillary had “hot sauce in her bag” or “her emails,” and too many chose inaction. In the words of Maya Angelou, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.” America, Trump has shown us exactly who he is.
Michelle Obama recently spoke at a rally in Michigan, urging us to recognize what’s at stake. Her words were a powerful reminder that the results of this election will define our path forward—or backward. She laid bare the reality: a second Trump term would mean more of the hate, chaos, and division we’ve already witnessed. The former First Lady reminded us that we’re not just voting for a candidate; we’re voting for our safety, our communities, and our children’s future. “We can’t let them take away our voice,” she said. That voice? It’s ours, and we wield it through our vote.
We’re witnessing a deliberate, strategic play to undermine and unravel the progress we’ve fought for. Think about that disturbing rally held by Trump’s supporters—full of divisive rhetoric and hostility, targeting anyone who doesn’t look or believe as they do. This rally was no anomaly. It’s a stark preview of what we’ll face in the next four years if we do nothing. This hate isn’t an accident; it’s deliberate. And it’s what they want America to become.
We can’t forget the long, brutal history that got us here. Blacks fought, bled, and died for the right to vote. Our ancestors risked everything so we could have a voice. During the Civil Rights Movement, people like Fannie Lou Hamer and John Lewis stood against violence, intimidation, and systemic barriers, demanding a country that respects and values Black lives. To honor their legacy, we must show up and vote because if we don’t, we’re allowing those sacrifices to be trampled on. We’re allowing those voices to be silenced again.
There are those who argue that journalism’s role is to be objective, to avoid “taking sides.” But objectivity, for too long, meant giving Trump the benefit of the doubt when he called for bans on Muslims, when he spread lies about immigrants, and when he refused to condemn hate groups. Objectivity got us here. This is not the time for neutrality. The stakes are simply too high. You see that in the unity from folks who while they may not completely agree with Kamala Harris on policy, know what’s at stake. Know what an unchecked, vengeful Trump who has been given near absolute immunity will be like.
This election is about moving forward, about living up to the ideals we say we stand for. Michelle Obama reminded us that we’ve come too far to let someone who doesn’t represent us—or care for us—strip our power away. And don’t get it twisted…you see the Black men degrading Black women in an effort to support Trump – when he gives police officers absolute immunity – YOU will be their first targets. Freedom of speech, forget it. Under a Trump presidency, he will throw you in jail if you say or do anything he doesn’t like. We owe it to ourselves, to our ancestors, and to future generations to do everything in our power to fight for a better America.
So, Black America, I urge you—let’s show up at the polls. Let’s remind those who seek to silence us that we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere. Let’s make it clear that we will not be silent in the face of hate. This is our time. Vote like your life, and the lives of those you love, depends on it—because it does.
