PART 2: What students are saying about Harris, Trump

Disappointed in platforms

By EVAN JENKINS

Freshman SGA Sen. Jahmare Joyner believes the presidential candidates and their platforms are not professional.

“If we look back to the Barack Obama and Mitt Romney debate, that shows what presidents are nowadays," he said. "They have petty fights and arguments on Twitter and in person about how many people showed up to their campaign events.”

Although Joyner feels like the current presidential candidates are not professional, he does support Kamala Harris.

“Kamala is trying to make a change that is better for those in need and trying to make America a better place to live because she isn’t taking away federal funding for schools or higher education.”

Voting is a responsibility

By MARICELLYN MCDONALD

Sophomore Kendall Brown believes voting is an essential responsibility for everyone, especially HBCU students.

“I am voting and I feel like it’s important for all young people to vote,” Brown said.

Brown noted Black people had to fight for the right to vote and she believes current Black voters owe it to their ancestors to exercise that right.

Voting cements true adulthood, she said.

“I voted for the first time on my actual 18th birthday last year. It made me feel more adult. I’ve felt more adult the past few years but voting really put it in perspective, like I have a voice."

Ultimately, she encourages all new and young voters to take the time and form their own opinions of the candidates and vote based upon the issues that matter to them.

“Think about what you want for your country ... look at who supports and doesn’t support what and form your own decisions, not based on your parents or your friends,” Brown said.

Trump should not be president

By ALHAYA BRICKLE

Claflin University junior Nyree Jordan does not want to see Donald Trump return to the presidency.

"Electing Trump could lead to more division in the country, Jordan said.

She warns that it could mean major setbacks on social issues, especially for people of color.

Jordan said Trump is a racist and a criminal, and she is confused about why he even is a candidate for the election in 2024 after being impeached a few years back.

"It’s important for us to think about what kind of world we want for ourselves," Jordan said.

"I'm voting for Kamala. She is not perfect, but I believe she is the better candidate.”

Harris can make history

By CHEYANNE CHAMBERS

As the 2024 presidential election looms, Claflin University student and reigning Miss Kleist Hall Alexis Wilson is determined to cast her vote.

"I am voting simply because of the stakes in this election," Wilson said. "With my birthright, education and equity being questioned, I know I have to vote. My future depends on this election, so I have to make my voice heard."

Wilson said Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate she believes can lead the country forward.

"My values align with hers, and I feel like she is what this country needs at the moment," Wilson said. "We’ve never had a woman president, and I would love to see her make history."

The presidential and vice-presidential debates only reinforced her stance.

"The debates showcased the competency levels of both sides. We’ve seen which side favored reason and evidence and which side relied on attacks and verbal remarks. The Harris-Walz campaign showed poise, intellect and the ability to answer tough questions."

As to President Joe Biden's decision to step aside and allow Harris to run, Wilson expressed surprise but also respect.

"Biden’s sudden departure shocked me, but I understood why. He seemed ready to pass the torch. I’m glad he stepped down for the betterment of the country."

Wilson identifies key issues in the election as women's rights, gun laws, immigration, education and equity. For her, the election is not just about choosing a leader, it's about securing a future in which she and others like her can thrive.

The right fit for president

By EDEN RATTLEY

Logan Rattley, a Claflin junior, plans to vote for Kamala Harris for president.

Rattley cites Harris' experience as an attorney general and the many acts that she has done for women.

Rattley believes Harris is the right fit for president and should knock out the women’s vote.

Regarding President Joe Biden dropping out and Harris being the replacement candidate, Logan said she “sensed something was wrong” with Biden for quite some time based on his facial expressions, body language and pictures and videos.

She doesn’t believe Donald Trump should win the election because, although he has done some good, the 2020 incident during which people stormed the U.S. Capitol was unacceptable.

Biden exit was turning point

By BETHANY SCRIVEN

Advocacy for the rights of women and minorities are a key reason to support Kamala Harris for president, said Joushua Salter, a junior business administration and accounting major.

“Personally, I'm supporting Kamala Harris. I believe that she is the one that holds most of the values that I personally hold upwards,” Salter said. “She's advocating against some of the many policies that the Trump administration is trying to push.

“Not only is she an avid helper for women's rights, but also minority rights and just making sure that we will not be taken back to an era that was less favorable for us.”

Salter described the impact the two debates have had on the election and his choice in the presidential race.

“I was already going to vote for Kamala, but seeing how prepared she was compared to Trump, and really just highlighted how much I'm trying to understand people that support him. I'm really trying to get an idea of exactly what they see and what he has to offer because his style of brute forcing and never really having any concrete plans for the country always rubbed me the wrong way. So it just kind of made everything more clear that definitely Trump shouldn't come back to office.”

Salter said President John Biden dropping out of the race was a turning point.

“I think it was bold. It was very smart. Honestly, I think that was kind of the turning point for the election. I think the Republicans got very comfortable with knowing that Biden was their opponent and seeing how he performed during the last election, even though he won, there were many times where Trump kind of just was kind of manhandling him on stage and just saying whatever. And Biden could only grit his teeth. So a lot of people saw him as weak.

“But now that with Kamala, he's finding out he can't really do that, and it's really showing. It's showing a different side of how Trump operates, and I really think that that was a good move for the Democratic Party.”

“If Trump wins, some of the things that in Project 2025 directly contradict or restrict our natural rights as humans, especially because we are a minority. A lot of the things in Project 2025 are looking to restrict how we move and how we act and really just trying to bring America back in time. And that's not something that I would want, nor would I want that for my parents or whatever generation comes after me.”

As to key issues, Salter said, “I would say being a business major, the thing that I particularly pay attention to is the economy. … I fear for the overall economy in the long run because Trump is very gung ho with his spending. And I mean, that's a problem with the U.S. as a whole, but spending increased.”

“The Biden administration kind of has taken the job of rectifying some of those mistakes that were made during that time, especially during COVID. So I really feel that I definitely wouldn't want Trump specifically for economics, economical reasons, and even outside of that, speaking on women's rights, climate change and energy issues, Trump is trying to completely remove climate change.”

‘Harris will come out on top”

By TYLER STARKS

With the presidential election nearing Election Day, students were allowed to vote early.

Claflinite Charles Wofford, a senior political science major, had the opportunity to do so and believes everyone should vote.

“This election is important because many people are concerned about their rights being taken away, and if you want to make an impact, I think it’s important you vote for the candidate you believe will preserve your rights the most.”

As to a winner, Wofford said, “It’s 50/50, but I believe Kamala Harris will come out on top.”

Vocalizing needs and wants

By LAMIYAH MOORE

Kendel Buchanan, a sophomore student at Claflin University, expressed excitement about the opportunity to vote for the first time in a presidential election.

“Voting is a crucial way to vocalize my needs and wants,” said the biology major and chemistry minor.

Regarding a belief in the importance of individual involvement in the democratic process, Buchanan said, "I am voting because who I vote for will stand as an expression of my needs and preferences.

“It is everyone’s civic duty to cast a ballot for the betterment of our country. Although our opinions may differ, we are responsible for assisting in the betterment of our country by electing the best official to lead us.”

Buchanan said the debates did not significantly change his thoughts about the election. However, he felt they helped confirm his decision as he was able to hear the candidates' perspectives on multiple issues.

“The debates reinforced my confidence in my candidate.”

Buchanan took a firm stance regarding President Joe Biden's decision to drop out of the race.

 "I believe it was the right time for Joe Biden to step aside. Kamala Harris has a better chance of garnering support from most voters. His decision shows that he places the betterment of the country above himself," Buchanan said.

"At this age, it was time for him to start thinking about his health," Kendel said.