UPDATED: What Claflin students are saying about the election
By:
Nov 12, 2024
Disappointing but maybe not surprising
By LATRICIA THOMAS
The 2024 presidential election has sparked a wave of reflection among students at Claflin University as they process their reactions to an outcome that has left some disappointed and others not surprised.
While students like Jaasia Cooley and Grace Smith express frustration and disbelief, Kaleil Johnson offers a more tempered perspective on what he sees as an "expected" outcome.
Jaasia Cooley, a junior, described Nov. 6, 2024, as a “gloomy day.” The shock of Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss in her bid for the presidency left Jaasia questioning what went wrong.
“Knowing that we almost had the first Black and Indian female president who wanted to protect women’s rights had me very excited,” she said. “It was shocking to me that she didn't win the election.”
For Jaasia, Harris’ candidacy represented the promise of a more inclusive America. She saw Harris as a symbol of hope for women and people of color.
“My mind wonders on how she didn't win or what were the reasons,” Jaasia said. “She had all the qualifications to be president, and it showed me that we can be overqualified and overworked but still won’t be able to get in higher positions such as this.”
Grace Smith expressed similar disappointment.
“I feel like the election was kind of an eye-opener for how the future will hold; however, I was kind of bummed by the results,” she said.
One of her major concerns is laws affecting women’s rights and health.
“They are trying to enforce abortion bans and just restrict women’s health rights altogether,” Grace said. “It’s just scary, you know.”
Grace feels like the U.S. holds a big part in this. “I'm disappointed in the U.S. altogether because they never want better, so history is just going to keep repeating itself.”
By contrast, Kaleil Johnson takes a more pragmatic stance, saying the election outcome was “expected.” Unlike Jaasia and Grace, he wasn’t shocked by the results, pointing to unmet promises from the previous administration as a reason for the shift in voter support.
“Since Biden didn’t accomplish anything, I think people are going to go back towards the other party,” Kaleil said.
Though he doesn’t support all of Trump’s ideas, describing them as neither “good or interesting,” Kaleil believes Harris’ campaign strategy could have been stronger.
“I just think Kamala should have been aiming for the South’s votes more than she did,” he said, suggesting that her appeal could have been broadened in regions where she may have lacked support.
‘It's going to be a huge mess’
By EVAN JENKINS
Claflin University student leaders are unhappy with the results of the national election in which former President Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race.
Student Activity Board representative Miasia Hamilton said, “It's going to be a huge mess due to the past actions when Trump was president.”
“My initial thoughts were about women’s rights in society and how it's a possibility that women will not be able to have control over their own bodies in terms of health care rights,” Hamilton said.
“Kamala Harris is an intelligent Black woman and would always have my vote.”
Claflin freshman Sen. Jahmare Joyner is worried about the future.
“My initial thoughts of the election results were that it was all over for America. I was surprised because I thought America was smarter, but I guess not,” Joyner said.
He explained how he felt the country would be moving forward.
“The country will not be able to function how it needs to. … We’re going to have people of color in fear of their lives even more as well as women of all races if they are not able to control their bodies.”
But he said Harris is not finished. “I believe Kamala Harris will run again and be president.”
Freshman class President Usir Jackson said, “I was surprised about the election, not because of the results but because people didn’t want to vote for Kamala.”
He has a belief about why Harris lost.
“The only reason people didn’t vote for Kamala was because she was a Black woman. They used any excuse they could find because they couldn’t stand seeing a Black woman in office.”
A lot of disappointment
By GABRIELLE MATTHEWS
After the results of the 2024 election were released, Claflin students remained in an uproar in disappointment for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Many students even decided to take a mental health day to gather their thoughts and feelings about the next steps for the country.
“I believe the results are rigged; Harris had so much support, it’s impossible that she didn’t have sufficient votes to win,” said Zada Bradley, a freshman student and first-time voter.
Many professors canceled classes to give their students an opportunity to rest and rejuvenate themselves for the next session. The university provided students an opportunity to meet with a certified mental health professional to discuss their feelings.
Young people around the world continuously posted videos displaying and expressing their disinterest in what the country would be like being run by Donald Trump once again.
As soon as the results were released, students started to receive hoax messages that said they were selected to be in the field picking cotton, as if slavery was reinstated.
“I’m not even excited to see what’s next for my future as a student; I am literally scared,” Bradley continued, shaking her head in disbelief.
Some of Trump’s plans for education include cutting federal funding, eliminating the Department of Education and even attacking teachers’ unions.
Not surprised, shocked
By ALEXANDER BRIGGMAN
As many Claflin University students gathered in their homes to watch the election results unfold, freshman students Devin Jordan and Jamari Smith shared reactions that were a mix of dismay and resignation.
Both had hoped for a victory for Vice President Kamala Harris and found themselves reflecting on what the outcome means for the nation’s future.
Devin said he feels troubled, though not entirely surprised.
“Honestly, I wasn’t shocked. But I am worried about what this means for people like us and for the country overall,” he said. “Kamala represented something different, a step forward in a lot of ways. I feel like we needed that.”
Jamari, a freshman majoring in sociology, expressed similar disappointment tempered by his views on the country’s current direction.
“With everything going on, I can’t say I’m shocked by the result, but it’s still hard to take,” he said. “Kamala’s platform spoke to me and to a lot of us here. It’s like we’re left wondering what this will mean for our generation.”
By ZYNEA WILLIAMS
The 2024 presidential election results produced a wave of disappointment, confusion and angst among the student body at Claflin University.
“I did not want Trump to win at all,” said sophomore class President Jalynn Pinkney. “I hoped Kamala was going to win but this country is adamant to have a white man in power.”
Pinkney goes further to voice her distress.
“I am scared as a Black woman. I am scared as an American in general because Trump is trying to take away our basic rights,” Pinkney said. “This election is going to affect us and everyone we know.”
Pinkney believes that students can stay uplifted by shifting their perspectives on the light in the darkness. "We should remember that God has control and keep the faith. College students should also focus on their studies and focus on graduating so that they can make the world a better place.”
Honor student Samuel Stewart refers to America as “united yet divided.” He views Trump as careless and unfit for the role.
“It’s turbulent times, but we just must have faith,” he said.
“A lot of people are either too opinionated or not opinionated enough. Society is all over the place,” Stewart said. “Most of my family has served and just seeing the faith that they have is helping me keep my faith when we have just had such a big loss.”
“As college students, we need to keep the community part strong. As long as you reach out, you’re never alone. Keep that little bit of strength and find time to decompress,” Stewart said.
“The person who won was not the person for me, but we’re going to work these four years out,” Ashton Oliver said.
“College students should stay connected with our peers, seek guidance, prayer, and remember that we need to stay together,” Oliver said. “We do not need to cause more division.”
'Disappointed, but not surprised'
By MARICELLYN MCDONALD
Following the 2024 presidential election, Claflin students expressed disappointment with Republican Donald Trump’s win and concern about the impact it may have.
“I was initially disappointed with the results but not surprised at all,” sophomore Saim Fraser said. It just reminded me of the society I lived in.”
Sophomores Ky’Seanna Rowe and Jadon Edwards expressed similar sentiments.
Edwards said misogyny and racism may have had negative effects on Harris’ campaign as many individuals were hesitant about seeing a woman of color as president.
“If you take this into account, along with the fact that Kamala Harris only had 3 months to prepare, you can understand why it would've been hard for her to win this race even though she was more qualified for the position,” he said.
Though many individuals felt her race or gender made Harris unfit for the role, Rowe is among voters who believed this could have benefited the country.
“I was nervous,” Rowe said. “I was rooting for Team Harris as I believed she would bring a much-needed fresh perspective to the country.”
Some minority voters viewed Trump’s policies and platform as extremist and worry about the impact he will have as president. Students believe the consequences will be seen for all Americans, not just minorities.
“This election will have a great impact on everyone, not just myself,” Edwards said. “However, people that fall into certain categories might deal with more repercussions from this election than others. Such as women, people of color, immigrants, etc.”
As a non-citizen, Fraser wasn’t able to vote and didn’t follow the details of the election very closely, however, he acknowledges the particular impact the upcoming presidency could have.
“Being that I am an international student and not a citizen of the country, this election could certainly impact me,” he said.
Rowe noted the particular impact the election will have on women and minorities but emphasized that everyone will be impacted, even if not directly.
“Even if someone feels unaffected personally, they likely know someone who will be directly impacted, from jobs and health care to overall quality of life, the consequences will be far-reaching,” Rowe said.