An inspiration to a nation

An inspiration to a nation. Young women of color inspired by Vice President Harris’ Inauguration.

By Takyia Price

Representation matters and the historic Inauguration of Kamala Harris as the first woman, and the first woman of color as America’s Vice President is highly significant to Sha’Miya Wilson and others like her.

“After so many years, the glass ceiling, that obstructs women of color from being in high level positions, has been shattered,” says Wilson, an Albany State University sophomore. It’s like an unknown weight has been lifted off my chest. I feel like I can truly succeed in the workforce.”

Society seemingly has a distorted image of Black women in leadership positions. This tiresome narrative often unfavorably depicts those demographics. Under representation and negative representation shape how we as a whole view ourselves and how others view us.

Vice President Harris’ rise to power as the first Black and Asian-American woman (she is a second-generation American to parents from India and Jamaica.); the first historically Black university graduate (Howard University) and member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority to serve in National office, has given those communities a sense of pride and hope for their future.

African Americans were featured performers at the inauguration festivities in many prominent, and arguably, wondrous ways. Harris’s escort to the venue was Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman. Just weeks before the inauguration, Goodman was hailed a hero after defending the building against insurrectionists. On January 6th, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in hopes of breaching the Senate and overturning the Presidential election results. In honor of his selfless actions, Goodman was promoted to the acting deputy Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate and is set to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.

In tribute of Harris’ commencement, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority declared the 21st as Kamala D. Harris Day. Members of the sorority and other women worldwide wore “Chucks and Pearls” and the sorority’s pink and green colors in support of Harris.

Much like many AKA sisters, Clark Atlanta University Graduate Mariah Hill watched in support of her Soror. Hill describes the backlash many HBCU students face for attending their respective schools.

“Lots of people believe that HBCUs don’t teach you the values that an Ivy League would, but this is the true definition that you could go to any university and be a leader in this world,” she argues. “If anything, Harris’ inauguration validates the HBCU experience that many minority youths seek.”

Now could be the apropos time to acknowledge that HBCUs are becoming more vital to advancing our future. HBCUs produce professionals in a variety of professions. Some 80 percent of Black judges and 50 percent of Black lawyers and doctors are HBCU graduates such as VP Harris for example. The Inauguration event is widely seen as a turning point in the position and perception of minorities in American history and, arguably, signifies the possibilities for future generations. Harris’ victory is even more sentimental because of the many precedents she has set by a single vow. “When she [took] the oath of office, little girls and boys across the world [knew] that anything and everything is possible,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota. “The moment highlighted the importance of people of color having elected officials who look like them.”

Experts reportedly agree that representation matters because when young Black children feel like society is against them, they can look to the experiences of those who have won a seat at the table and be reassured that they can achieve the same level of success. They can reflect on

the professionalism and confidence of those represented to push themselves to surpass expectations and break the glass ceiling, it is believed.

VP Harris’ rise to success should be the precedent of granting Black women leadership positions. To some having Kamala in office is like when Disney introduced the first black Disney princess. Princess Tiana, from Disney’s Princess and the Frog, broke the racial barriers of who can be a Princess.

“Young women are always glad to see someone that looks like them in a leadership position. That encourages the next generation that they can do anything they set their mind to. You never know, we might have the next first woman of color being the President of the United States,” opines Hill, a budding journalist.

Yet another African American trailblazer, who pundits say stole the Inauguration show, was National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. Among the many highlights of the event, one of the most talked-about moments was Gorman’s poem, “The Hill We Climb.” Miss Gorman captivated and dazzled the crowd with words of intellect and inspiration.

She is a native of Los Angeles and a Harvard graduate. Within hours of reciting her poem, she became an online trending search. Gorman is the country’s first National Youth Poet Laureate and is the youngest Inauguration poet in U.S. history. Since the event, Gorman’s book “Change Sings” has become Number One on Amazon’s bestseller list, has amassed two million social media followers, signed with IMG Models, and became the first person to recite poetry at the Superbowl.

Gorman was tasked with composing the poem in late December. She was specifically selected by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. She finished the primetime poem the night after the Capitol Hill insurrection by Trump loyalists. Gorman spent the night adding references to the horrific events that took place at the Capitol, speaking of “a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it [it] would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.”

Changing the tune, Miss Gorman spoke of healing and left Americans with a message of unity and hope.” The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”

It will likely go down in history as the day that changed the perception of Black women. Men and women across the world were left filled with pride.

“I feel a great sense of ac-

complishment. Not one but two Black women who graduated from HBCUs stood at the national level because of their abilities! It’s not every day you see something like this. America is entering a new period, and I’m excited to be a part of it,” says Imani Smith, a junior psychology student at Fort Valley State University. “The Inauguration served as an inspirational start to the new year. Despite the growing darkness of hatred, America rose above it and put forth a spirit of hope.”

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