Threats to Democracy Affect Black Girls
By A National Agenda for Black Girls Team
Many of us have never experienced what happened yesterday ever in our lives. Many of us were taught to believe in the democratic process, we were taught to believe that voting in the United States was sacred and protected. Instead, we are confronted with an attack on democracy, and that attack has an impact on the lives of Black girls.
What happened at the Capitol yesterday afternoon was an example of the constant attack on the votes of Black girls, Black communities, and democracy. Throughout 2020, there were baseless accusations made about the legitimacy of votes in predominantly Black communities like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee. These baseless accusations have escalated to full-on violence and disruption to the traditional process of certifying electoral votes. This is why the National Agenda for Black Girls remains so crucial. This campaign is committed to amplifying the voices of Black girls, even when certain factions of this country would rather us be silent.
In November, people of color across the country stood in line for hours to vote amidst a pandemic. They did so because they were told that voting matters, and that their votes counted. The attacks on democracy yesterday are attempting to make the blood, sweat, and tears of so many of our foremothers futile. While we do not know what will happen next, we want to make clear that the violence and insurrection displayed yesterday is not without consequence; it impacts the trust that young people are told they should have in their government and democracy.
Black girls should have the right to stability. Black girls deserve to know that they can participate in an effective, legitimate democracy. Voting is one of the ways that we build power, and it should not be taken away from us by people who don’t believe that our lives matter.
The hard work that went into knocking on doors during a pandemic, phone banking, and believing that our votes counted should not be taken in vain. Whatever follows yesterday’s seditious acts, we will continue to build power. We will continue to rise up against white supremacy, and we will continue to build a country where Black votes, Black communities, Black trans youth, Black non-binary youth, and Black girls matter.
Visit www.BlackGirls2020.com for more on A National Agenda for Black Girls.
