Terrell A. Williams is a Democratic candidate for the Delaware House of Representatives’ 9th District (the Townsend area) and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Four years ago, I wrote an Opinion stating that Black people are the Democratic Party, and I think those sentiments have aged beautifully, given our current circumstances. It is no secret that I am a Kamala Harris fan and supporter of her candidacy and platform. But let me be honest: I wanted President Joe Biden to remain at the top of the Democratic ticket because Democrats forfeited the opportunity to allow our best and brightest candidates to primary for the right to become our uncontested Democratic presidential nominee. Having the Democratic Party’s most rich and powerful oligarchs circumvent our electoral process is in juxtaposition to our fundamental duties as Americans to exercise our civic duties at the ballot box. What the Democratic Party allowed to happen to the Democratic ticket is tantamount to the Republicans’ hijacking of the Supreme Court and rubber-stamping the Citizens United case. These increasingly overt acts of intrusion nibbling away at our constitutional safeguards are becoming increasingly frequent, and they are eroding the very fabric struggling to hold our democracy together.
Right, wrong or indifferent, we are moving forward with a coronation ceremony for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the next president of the United States of America. Imagine: We are tasking a Black woman to save our democracy — again, from the “existential threat of Donald Trump” — for a second time in four years. Despite my historical concerns about circumventing the political process and cowering to Democratic billionaires and millionaires, Kamala Harris is deserving of this opportunity. Moreover, Vice President Harris is well armed and positioned with a million-woman army and millions of “Divine Nine” family members to fuel her campaign to victory by reinvigorating “the Democratic ticket” and the interests of her sorority sisters in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and its sister organizations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Sigma Gamma Rho.
The Divine Nine is the nickname for a group of nine historically Black Greek letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Many of these organizations have been around for over 100 years. They are committed to public service, scholarship, brotherhood and sisterhood, and cultural advancement for the greater good of their communities. The D9’s national impact on Black culture has always coincided with watershed moments in American history, like the Civil Rights Movement, the election of Barack Obama, the George Floyd incident and again with Kamala Harris.
It is no secret that the Democratic Party’s success is tied to the participation and turnout of Black voters, especially Black women. When we have high Black voter engagement, then history tells us that the Democratic Party is victorious nationally. For instance, presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden have all had successful campaigns and reelections due to Black voter turnout. Which brings me to my point: Delaware’s Divine Nine organizations can positively impact Delaware’s statewide, district, county and municipal elections! Delaware’s D9 organizations have the power to flex their proverbial muscles in this state, to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are no longer candidate talking points but action steps that are reflected in tangible representation in offices throughout our state.
Delaware has the 10th-largest Black population in the country but one of the lowest ratios for Black elected officials per capita. Issues like Black maternal health care, affordable and accessible housing, police and criminal justice reform, child care and education are all issues that disproportionately impact Black and minority communities. However, those issues appear to have few, if any, Black voices leading the charge who can relate to those concerns on a personal level. As many of you gather to arm yourselves with marching orders from your respective Divine Nine organizations to support and ensure Kamala Harris is elected the next president of the United States of America, please remember to save some of your enthusiasm for your state, local and municipal candidates. The Democratic Party is only as strong as Black voter turnout; this is as true for national elections as it is for state and local elections. Your vote matters! Delaware’s Democratic Party is stronger when members of D9 organizations are involved, active and leading the charge to the polls.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
