Written by Nicole

When I started writing this post, the election results were still not released. At this moment in time, it could still go either way. The title of this post is what it is because ultimately, who is in office should not have a huge, sweeping impact on your life. Congratulations to President Whoever. Now tell your cronies to quit calling me.

It may seem cold or callous to say what I’m about to say, but hear me out.

Above all else, as a black woman, you need to put your own interests first.

Literally everybody else is lobbying for their interests, sometimes at your expense. News articles have been published right and left (pun intended), castigating celebrities and commoners for their choice to support the candidate that doesn’t align with the author’s interests. But they voted – isn’t that what they were supposed to do? That’s what all the ads and calls and text messages begged, nay, demanded us to do – to vote. That’s the thing. The part left out of the ever-so-common “Vote!” mantra is “Vote… for who I want!”

No matter what, one side will be unhappy with the outcome.

That’s why black women should vote for their individual interests, even if it’s viewed unfavorably by the community at large. Not to mention, who exactly is lobbying for our interests, as black women? I mean, we have one side going to rappers – Ice Cube, and Lil Wayne­ too, last I saw – to discuss the contract with Black America. And not just any rappers, mind you, ones with long histories of denigration of black women, in word or in deed. And the other side went to Cardi B, who wears her jaundiced version of black womanhood like a coat that she slips on and off when convenient.

Neither side brought up anything related to black women being slaughtered daily.

No one seems to be talking about the unique plight of black women in this country. In fact, our voting bloc is seen as a foregone conclusion. Why would the Democratic side specifically seek black women’s votes and prepare some solutions, when they know they’ll get the vote anyway? It would be more useful to appeal to the indecisive voters instead, right? And why would the Republican side seek us out, since we have allied ourselves so strongly with the Democrats?

Because both sides only want our votes, but seem to have nothing for us in return, it is imperative for us as black women to cultivate a life that does not fall into disarray with each passing election year. This goes beyond presidential elections, and applies to black women across the diaspora.

You are the president of your own life. Neither party is going to swoop in and “save” you. Move, plan, act, and strategize accordingly.

Disclaimer: This blog was written by me, Nicole, and my ideas are not necessarily reflective of Christelyn Karazin or other writers on this platform.