By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Despite overwhelmingly supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and prioritizing the future of democracy, many Black women are reevaluating their commitment to electoral politics following Donald Trump’s surprising popular vote victory. This shift reflects exhaustion and a desire to prioritize self-care after consistently shouldering the burden of voter mobilization and social justice activism. While acknowledging potential negative consequences of this withdrawal, some believe it could pressure the nation to confront its failure to support Black women’s concerns. Ultimately, many Black women feel no guilt for prioritizing their well-being after their significant efforts to support Harris were unsuccessful.
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Feeling betrayed by increased minority support for Trump, Black women say they’re stepping back from active political engagement at the national level. This isn’t a declaration of permanent disengagement, but rather a necessary pause born from exhaustion and a profound sense of betrayal. The feeling is that despite consistent support for other minority groups, the reciprocal support was lacking in this recent election cycle. This perceived lack of solidarity has left many feeling deeply disillusioned and questioning the value of continued engagement within a system that seems unresponsive to their needs and concerns.
The exhaustion stems from decades of fighting for equal rights and social justice, a fight that continues even after significant personal sacrifices. The feeling is that progress is slow, that the effort required is immense, and that the rewards are minimal. Many Black women feel as though they’ve poured their hearts and souls into advocating for progressive causes, only to see their efforts repeatedly undermined, resulting in a sense that the systems they are working within are irreparably broken or rigged against them. The emotional toll is significant, leading some to contemplate a temporary retreat from active political involvement.
The betrayal felt goes beyond simple disappointment in election results. It’s a deeper betrayal of trust, stemming from the belief that other minority groups, despite benefiting from Black women’s consistent allyship, failed to reciprocate that support when it mattered most. This perceived lack of solidarity has heightened feelings of isolation and frustration, fueling the decision to step back and re-evaluate their engagement in the national political sphere. The overwhelming feeling is that the effort expended is not being met with the commensurate level of support needed to address the ongoing systemic injustices they face.
The feeling of being consistently overlooked and undervalued is deeply ingrained. This isn’t a new phenomenon, but rather a culmination of experiences that have left many questioning the effectiveness of their efforts within the current political landscape. This feeling is shared by many Black women across various social and economic strata, signifying a widespread sense of disillusionment and fatigue. The weight of history, along with the weight of present-day challenges, is profoundly affecting engagement with the current system.
Some have described feelings of hopelessness that borders on despair. This sense of hopelessness isn’t simply about the outcome of a particular election; it’s a deeper concern about the future and the ability to create lasting change within a system perceived as both rigged and uncaring. The decision to step back isn’t about giving up; it’s about preserving mental and emotional well-being in the face of overwhelming odds and repeated setbacks. This pause is a strategic retreat, not a surrender.
There’s a growing sense that a change in strategy is needed. Some are suggesting a shift towards hyperlocal engagement, focusing on community-level activism and grassroots organizing. The idea is that meaningful change will come not from national-level political engagement alone, but through a concerted effort to reshape power structures at the local level. This is seen as a more sustainable approach that will ultimately have a larger impact on their communities. The hope is that by solidifying their power base within their own communities, they can effectively leverage that power to influence change at a larger scale.
This isn’t a permanent disengagement, however. There’s an understanding that their continued participation is crucial. The pause is not a retreat, but rather a recalibration. Many Black women insist they aren’t giving up; they’re simply prioritizing self-care and strategizing a more effective path forward. The underlying commitment to social justice remains, but the approach is being re-evaluated. The desire for a just and equitable society persists; the method of achieving that just society needs revisiting.
This decision to step back is also seen by some as a way to force a reckoning within the Democratic Party. The hope is that this absence will highlight the vital role Black women play in electoral success and that it might finally lead to more meaningful engagement with their concerns. This is not seen as a weaponization of political power, but rather a necessary step in ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed. It’s about re-establishing the value of their support and ensuring that future campaigns adequately address their needs and concerns.
Ultimately, this is a story of resilience, of recognizing the limits of one’s energy, and of strategic retreat to regroup and re-engage in a more sustainable manner. It’s a powerful statement about the need for genuine solidarity and for political movements to honestly acknowledge and address the needs of their constituents, particularly those who have consistently been at the forefront of the fight for equality and justice. It’s a testament to the strength and unwavering determination of Black women to achieve a better future, even if it requires a temporary step back from the fray of national politics.