As a Liberian, my decision in the recent U.S. election wasn’t just about policies or party lines; it was about the legacy I want to leave for my children and the world they’ll inherit. In my last article, I spoke of the importance of respecting diverse political views and opening ourselves to understanding one another, even when we don’t agree.
By Derek Moore, [email protected], Contributing Writer
Now, I want to put those words into action. It’s easy to talk about transparency and acceptance, but true openness means taking the first step – so here it is: my family and I voted for Kamala Harris.
Here’s Why:
• Democracy and Dignity: At the core of my decision was preserving democracy and restoring dignity in leadership. Harris has committed to upholding democratic values and fostering unity in a divisive time, and I believe that stability and respect in leadership are foundational for a world I want to build for my children.
• Personal Freedoms and Social Justice: The fight for self-determination, especially women’s reproductive rights, is essential. Harris’s platform strongly advocated for personal autonomy, which I believe should be central in a free society.
• A Vision of Economic Empowerment: Harris’s policies on economic reform, including fair wages and affordable healthcare, aim to uplift working people and marginalized communities. As a Liberian immigrant, I resonate with this vision, and I want my children to grow up in a society where everyone has a fair shot at success.
• Global Political Progress: Supporting Harris means supporting a future where the U.S. moves toward the political maturity of other nations that have already elected women to their highest offices. Her position is a step toward an inclusive, progressive future.
Looking Beyond the Vote
Not everyone voted as I did, and that’s fine. Millions of Americans cast a different vote. I could choose to distance myself from those who supported Trump, but that would limit my ability to understand their reasons. Why did the Democratic Party lose the working-class vote? Why did some women vote for a candidate they believed would restrict their rights? Why did others prioritize policy over character? These questions can’t be ignored if we want to connect meaningfully across party lines.
Embracing openness means understanding these perspectives directly, even if it’s uncomfortable. The old adage, “keep your enemies close,” famously attributed to The Art of War by the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, holds wisdom here. It suggests that to understand and effectively address opposing views, we need to stay engaged with those who think differently. Keeping adversaries close doesn’t mean compromising our own beliefs, but it enables us to see the motivations and concerns that drive their choices, giving us the best chance of bridging divides.
Practicing Intellectual Discourse
This isn’t about changing minds; it’s about creating a culture of intellectual discourse. If we all felt free to share our views without fear of judgment, we could have more constructive conversations. I invite both supporters and critics to join the conversation here with me. Our community, and especially my children’s generation, deserves a world where we can understand each other with respect.
So here I am, practicing what I preach. I hope we can all find a little more courage to do the same.
