Journey 
The Atlanta University Center was rainy and gloomy when the election results were in. Students embodied this evident cloud of despair that plagued the city. Red noses and somber walks filled Spelman College’s Sister’s chapel, for a moment of silence, as the U.S. mourned the loss of former presidential candidate, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
As an all-women’s and historically Black college, the entire Spelman body took this election to the core. Dr. Sharan Strange, an English Professor teaching Politics of Black Poetry, verbally encapsulated the feeling of these results: “They’d elect a felon into office before an overqualified Black woman,” speaking to Malcolm X’s stance on the Black woman’s role in society.
“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.” – Malcolm X.
Black women all over the campus echoed this sentiment. However, the air and weather shifted, just as the feelings of the student body. Just days after the results, the melancholic disposition turned into anger and a deep disappointment. They have to step away from their own emotions and consider the next steps, and what the world may look like by next year. The collection of policy proposals that aim to reshape the executive branch of the U.S. government, known as Project 2025, comes to mind.
If you don’t know about this 900-page document; It’s a product of the Heritage Foundation and former Trump officials. A brief synopsis of the absurdity is that it aims to further strip and limit abortion rights and defund resources like planned parenthood. Among this, a recent discourse has risen about a recent video statement where Trump calls for white “restitution”. True Star asked Spelmanites for their opinions about Trump’s claims about white people facing discrimination and exclusion from institutions like Spelman and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Adrianna Morton, a sophomore at Spelman College, was shocked by Trump’s demands. Morton says naturally she is concerned, but she remains unsurprised by Trump’s actions. “The president-elect has a longstanding history of remaining intentionally culturally ignorant [with] white supremacist ideals.” She explains that this is an example of a larger pattern of political deflection, noting his overturning of affirmative action. “…This reality was surely forthcoming and deliberately taking form (whether by him, his administration, etc).” Morton stresses the need to remain aware of these tactics, “I feel that these proposed plans are threats to our personhood and humanity.”
Londyn Hall, a 19-year-old Spelman student and creative, explains that the effects of the election results felt more psychological for her. “I feel like in the future our health will be at stake.” Hall added, “We already know he doesn’t care about us; we know the black men that we love are in danger, giving the police full immunity.” She shared her concern with her lack of confidence in what’s to come under a Trump administration. Specifically commenting on his proposal of getting rid of the Department of Education. “This shocks me because, how will we learn from history not to repeat itself if we never learned about it in the first place?”
Hall made an additional point capturing the rage that HBCU students are feeling. “Taking away HBCU funding and demanding reparations is ridiculous. All I can do and say is that in times like this we must band together.” Looking on the brighter side, she puts it into perspective, “We must encourage and show ourselves that we are strong because we didn’t always used to have funding for HBCUs.” Although we’re moving back in time, Hall highlights the strength present in our ancestors though discouraging.
Hall also shared her opinions on education being power. “He’s trying to take our power, but I’m certain people like me and others alike, will make sure that our generations are educated to the extent that they need to be.”
Offering hope in these dark times, while also remaining realistic, students understand Trump’s efforts to diminish the story of our ancestors and find it mind-boggling that there are people and systems in place “that truly believe we don’t deserve education and the rights of everyone else,” said Hall. “It’s wild that that’s become our reality and that the majority voted for him. It is disheartening.”
By Journey Powell, Junior, Spelman College
Instagram: journeyaliah
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