Bridging Despair and Hope: A Radical Call to Action Post-Election 2024

Introduction: A Black Mother’s Fear and a Nation’s Reckoning

The night of November 5, 2024, I went to bed early—not out of peace, but exhaustion and dread. I took something to help me sleep, hoping to avoid the crushing anxiety of staying up to watch the election results. There was an underlying sense of hope, but I was expecting the worst.

Around 4 a.m., I woke up to use the bathroom, hesitated before looking at my phone, and opened TikTok. The first video I saw was a Black woman crying, her tears confirming my worst fears. My heart sank. As a Black mother, my immediate thoughts went to my children. What would this mean for their futures? 

As I scrolled, the despair was palpable—people heartbroken, angry, talking about leaving the country. It felt surreal, like an episode of The Walking Dead, only the threat wasn’t zombies; it was the ever-present shadow of white supremacy emboldened by another Trump win. Even in the days after, sitting in a coffee shop next to a white person filled me with unease. Who could I trust?

Then came the text messages. Black students received vile messages declaring they were now slaves and to report to be transported to their plantations. My own son’s friends received these text messages, too. By Sunday, the tensions became personal. I answered a call from an unknown number only to hear the words: “nigger bitch.” I laughed—not out of humor, but because this is the absurd reality of being a Black woman in America–a nation that would rather choose hate and fear over recognizing one's humanness. 

The grim reality is that this election wasn’t just about a candidate or a party; it was about a moral crisis that America is once again suffering. What is a moral crisis? It’s when a nation loses its conscience, when systems of power disregard humanity for the sake of control. This is where we are. We’ve been here before. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., in his speech “The Role of the Church in Facing the Nation's Chief Moral Dilemma,” called out America’s failure to uphold love and dignity for all people despite its scientific and technological advancements. He urged church leaders to confront racial injustice and lead the way toward a non-segregated society. King emphasized that true progress requires not just material achievements but also a moral commitment to equality and unity. The echoes of King's call for moral accountability reverberate today, reminding us that the fight for justice is far from over. In a recent interview with CNN, Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, a prominent voice for social justice and moral leadership, offered a powerful critique of the 2024 election and its implications for democracy. Reverend William J. Barber II builds on King’s legacy, emphasizing that democracy is not a passive ideal but an active pursuit. Progress has never been linear, and resistance has always been part of the fight for justice. In moments like this, we must remember our history, our ancestors, and our communities to find the strength to move forward.

“King emphasized that true progress requires not just material achievements but also a moral commitment to equality and unity. The echoes of King’s call for moral accountability reverberate today, reminding us that the fight for justice is far from over.”

Building on this legacy of moral accountability and democratic engagement, I find myself reflecting on the deeper systemic inequities that persist, especially in communities like those I am researching for my capstone project. As part of my master’s program at the Clinton School of Public Service, I am exploring health, economic, and educational disparities in Phillips County, Arkansas—a region steeped in history and shaped by enduring inequities. This work feels particularly urgent in light of the election’s outcome, which has laid bare the consequences of neglecting these critical intersections of justice and equity.

The Unique Role of the South: A Battleground for Justice

The South has always been at the heart of America’s moral reckoning. It is a region steeped in tradition, history, and resilience, but also one that has borne the brunt of systemic oppression. From gerrymandered districts to restrictive voting laws, the South’s challenges mirror the broader fractures in our democracy. Yet, it also holds the power to lead change.

As Reverend Barber points out, racism isn’t just a Black problem—it is a weapon that has been wielded to hurt everyone who isn’t part of the elite. The South knows this all too well. It is here where the fight for voting rights, economic justice, and community empowerment must be fought and won.

Phillips County: A History of Struggle and Resilience

As part of my Master’s program at the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas, I am conducting research for my capstone focusing on health, economic, and educational disparities in Phillips County, Arkansas. Located in the Delta region, Phillips County is a microcosm of the South’s deep-seated inequities.

One of its cities, Elaine, Arkansas, is infamous for the Elaine Massacre—also known as the Elaine Race Riot—of 1919. Between September 30 and October 1, one of the deadliest racial conflicts in U.S. history unfolded in this small Delta town. Black sharecroppers, organizing for fair wages, were met with violent resistance from white landowners. The confrontation escalated, and white mobs, aided by federal troops, massacred an estimated 200 Black residents. The incident was a stark reminder of the lengths to which systems of power would go to suppress Black resistance.

Headlines from the Arkansas Democrat concerning the Elaine Massacre of 1919. Source: Encyclopedia of Arkansas

The legacy of the Elaine Massacre persists in Phillips County today. Generations of systemic racism and disinvestment have left the area with staggering inequities:

• 46% of children in Phillips County live in poverty, compared to 11% in Benton County, a predominantly white and affluent county near Little Rock.

• Phillips County’s largely Black population faces limited access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

This history isn’t just a story of tragedy; it’s a call to address the roots of inequity that still shape the lives of people in the Delta and beyond. This enduring legacy of systemic inequities is intricately tied to civic engagement, or the lack thereof, in communities like Phillips County. Research increasingly highlights the profound connection between civic participation and community well-being, demonstrating how robust civic infrastructure can improve health outcomes, economic opportunities, and social cohesion. To address these disparities, we must examine how civic health can serve as both a reflection of and a solution to the challenges facing marginalized communities.

Civic Engagement and Health Outcomes: The Intersections We Ignore

Civic engagement is more than voting—it’s about building communities where people can thrive. According to the 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Report, counties with strong civic infrastructure—such as libraries, parks, and schools—see better health outcomes and social mobility. Conversely, areas like Phillips County, where these resources are underfunded or nonexistent, experience higher rates of poverty, lower educational attainment, and worse health outcomes.

Phillips County, Arkansas residents learn about  healthy cooking and nutrition at the Phillips County Family & Consumer Science Program

These disparities reflect systemic barriers like gerrymandering, restrictive voting laws, and disinvestment in rural areas. Civic spaces aren’t just places to gather—they are lifelines for community cohesion and action. Civic engagement isn’t just about voting; it’s about creating the infrastructure that allows communities to thrive. It’s about ensuring broadband access in rural areas, funding public spaces, and providing opportunities for participation. Without these, communities remain trapped in cycles of poverty and despair.

Lessons from the 2024 Election: A Blueprint for Moving Forward

We cannot afford to disengage. The uncommitted movement failed because disengagement is not a strategy. As Black people, we know the cost of survival in America. But survival is not enough. It’s time to strategize for liberation.

Reverend Barber’s vision of fusion politics offers a roadmap: multi-racial, multi-class coalitions built on moral issues like living wages, healthcare, and education. Here’s how we move forward:

• Invest in Civic Infrastructure: Fund libraries, parks, and community centers in rural areas.

• Engage Marginalized Communities: Center the voices of the most affected by systemic inequities.

• Adopt a Moral Agenda: Shift the narrative to focus on universal issues that resonate across communities.

• Challenge Voter Suppression: Make use of policy advocacy and litigation channels to fight restrictive voting laws and expand access to early voting.

Conclusion: Bridging Tradition with Progress

The 2024 election revealed deep fractures in our nation’s soul, but it also underscored the urgency of our work. As a Black mother, I fight for my children’s futures. As a descendant of slaves, I honor the resilience of my ancestors. And as a citizen of the South, I know that this region holds the power to lead a moral revolution.

This is not the time to walk away. It’s time to organize, demand, and build. It’s time to stop asking for permission and start taking what we deserve.

The question isn’t whether we can create change. The question is: will we rise to meet the moment?

“We cannot afford to disengage. The uncommitted movement failed because disengagement is not a strategy. As Black people, we know the cost of survival in America. But survival is not enough. It’s time to strategize for liberation.”