Students of Morehouse College, Spelman College, Morris Brown College, and Clark Atlanta University filled Morehouse College’s King’s Chapel on Tuesday afternoon in radical anticipation of Vice President Kamala Harris’ arrival. Morehouse, the fifth stop on Harris’ “Fighting For Our Freedoms” college tour, is one of a dozen campus activation sites that she will visit to mobilize students around the issues of reproductive justice, gun safety, climate action, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and book bans.
Harris is a graduate of Howard University, an HBCU in Washington, D.C., and has led the presidential administration in donating over 7 billion dollars to HBCUs and 1 trillion to low-income and rural communities, aiming to combat these social, economic, and environmental disparities.
“These are issues that impact everyone, but not equally,” the Howard University grad stated, drawing attention to the disproportionate impact that these national injustices have on marginalized communities.
Georgia Senator and Morehouse College graduate Raphael Warnock rallied around the AUC’s historical involvement in the fight for equality, reminding students that they live on the streets where the spirit to fight for civil rights remains undaunted.
“I know that the young people of the Atlanta University Center understand what is at stake,” Warnock stated. “We are witnessing an assault on our democracy.”
The Vice President was sure to emphasize Georgia’s role as a turnout state in the previous presidential election. She urged students to take the voting polls by storm, stating the importance of voter resilience and unity to push back against recent legislative strides that have come to threaten the nation’s democracy.
“They [legislators] are trying to distract us from America’s history because they don’t have a plan for America’s future,” Harris stated. “We have to keep voting.”
Student leaders from Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Clark Atlanta University have vowed their commitment to mobilizing the Vice President’s remarks by prioritizing collaborative efforts toward voter registration and community activism.
“We plan to identify concrete steps and goals that the SGA and student body can work towards,” Darion Johnson, SGA Vice President at Morehouse College, stated. “Effective leadership involves collaboration and a commitment to making a positive impact within our college community.”
Harris’ visit reassured students of the alliance that exists between their campuses and local, state, and national administrations, who vouch for and support the pursuit of justice within both classrooms and communities.
“It is important to note the power of building and establishing authentic relationships with school administration and community organizations aligned with the efforts and causes that students are championing. Efforts like the Fight for Freedom campaign allow for these deliberate connections,” Dr. Lisa Herring, President of the PROPEL Center and Spelman alumna, stated.
Kay • Oct 1, 2023 at 6:04 am
VP Harris left an indelible mark at the AUC! This article captures this historical moment so eloquently!
Sid Rowser • Oct 1, 2023 at 12:27 am
Love the engagement of young, talented students and taking their roles in the community seriously.