It's only a passing thing, this shadow
No matter the outcome of the 2024 election, the work continues
In my last column, I shared why I’m voting for Kamala Harris. For me, it’s not just about one person or one party—it’s about the values she represents. But I’ll be real with you: this election could go either way. And regardless of the outcome, the struggle for justice won’t end. This moment requires all of us to keep showing up, to keep challenging the forces that threaten our freedoms and our communities.
Donald Trump and those aligned with him have built a movement that feels pervasive, deeply rooted in fear, control, and division. But the thing about power built on control is that it’s fragile. Authority that relies on silencing dissent, on denying freedom to those who don’t fit a narrow vision, is inherently weak. The fear driving that movement is what makes it so desperate to suppress voices, to limit rights, to enforce conformity. The forces behind Trumpism know that oppression requires constant maintenance—it needs us to feel isolated, small, and convinced that we’re powerless.
That’s why our resistance matters. Every act of dissent, every small moment of defiance, is part of a larger movement that doesn’t go away, regardless of who’s in office. Tyranny can’t bear freedom because freedom doesn’t need permission. Our commitment to justice, to dignity, is something that can’t be regulated or contained. When we continue pushing for equality, for compassion, for fairness, we’re chipping away at the brittle foundations of fear-based power.
And that’s the beauty of what we’re doing here: the fight for justice isn’t limited to the voting booth. Voting is essential—it’s a tool for change. But the movement is bigger than any one election, and it’s certainly bigger than Trump or any figure who clings to authority by creating division. What scares them is that freedom and justice are ideas that don’t require permission or validation. They grow anywhere people believe in them, and they spread with every act of courage, every call for accountability.
If Trump is re-elected, it might feel like a setback, like a blow to everything we’ve been working for. But setbacks don’t erase progress, and they certainly don’t end our fight. Even if the election doesn’t go the way we hope, we have each other, we have the movement, and we have the power to keep building toward a future where justice prevails. Our small actions—supporting each other, speaking out, holding on to hope—might feel insignificant in the face of such vast opposition. But history has shown us time and again that authority built on oppression crumbles. The cracks in those systems only grow as we keep showing up and refusing to be silenced.
And if the election goes our way? Our work doesn’t end there. Electing leaders who reflect our values is just the beginning. Real change is slow, often invisible, and requires us to remain vigilant, to hold power accountable, and to never settle for anything less than true justice. When we elect someone like Kamala Harris, it’s a step in the right direction, but we have to keep pushing—on climate, on racial justice, on LGBTQ+ rights. Progress demands that we stay engaged, that we stay connected, and that we keep demanding better for everyone, not just the privileged few.
As we stand at this crossroads, it’s easy to feel the weight of everything we’re up against. It’s easy to wonder how the world can go back to the way it was when there’s been so much damage, so much darkness. But maybe the world isn’t meant to go back; maybe we’re meant to carry forward, to let this moment sharpen our vision of what’s possible. I believe that there’s still good in this world, and that’s why we’re here, why we keep going. This fight is hard, and there are plenty of moments when giving up would seem easier. But we don’t turn back because we’re holding on to each other, to a future where justice and compassion shine through clearer than ever. That’s worth every step. And it’s worth fighting for.
