After receiving threats about potential disruptions from some MAGA extremists during our Kamala Harris/“that guy” presidential debate watch party, the matriarchs of our community decided to cancel the event for safety reasons. I explained this is a very small, rural, and mostly Black community in a deep red area with no funding for security, (which truly wouldn’t have made much difference if a violent agitator had shown up.) Despite my explanations, some people were upset, but many others flooded us with support. Ultimately, we decided to go ahead with the watch party, taking extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety.
Torrential downpours and heavy thunderstorms hit, with flooding the parking lot of the small community center. But despite all of that, we held our watch party. Those of us who were able to make it cheered as Kamala dominated her opponent in the debate. For a few precious hours, we gathered, and it felt amazing to be unafraid in a red district where being openly Democratic invites very real threats. It was powerful.
One woman told me she prays desperately to live long enough to see a woman, especially this particular candidate, become president. She had attended school in the very same building during segregation, and the significance of the moment wasn’t lost on any of us. Another woman shared her struggles as a single mother, having been repeatedly denied housing by landlords because there wasn’t a husband to speak for her. She said that while Hillary Clinton had first given her hope, watching Kamala debate with such passion, integrity, and intelligence lifted her spirits and inspired her about the future.
So, I do just want to thank everyone who supported us. This debate, though small, was deeply meaningful. It reminded us all that hope, community, and resilience are worth celebrating, even in the face of (daily) adversity.
Further support/donations can be made to SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY: https://www.save-our-democracy.com
Thank you,
🙏🏽 Danika.