CUBNSC- (Columbia, S.C.) - Today, Benedict College students hosted "Young, Black, and Registered," an event dedicated to encouraging young people to engage in their civic responsibilities by learning more about voting. Held at the Benedict College Community Learning Center, a technology hub open to the community to get help with GED and workforce assistance. The event featured food, music, and support from the South Carolina Democratic Party's Council of Black Democrats.
Kayin Jones, Vice Chair of the Council, is actively involved in organizing community members, with a particular focus on felon re-entry programs and providing transitional assistance to young people aging out of the foster care system and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Both systems in South Carolina face record numbers of African American youth struggling to gain stability.
Jones shared his hope that more individuals will step up and get involved: "This is our time in history to make the kind of impact we saw during the Obama era. The energy is high, but we need to maximize its potential." When asked how people could contribute, he emphasized, "Now is the time to DO SOMETHING! You can text, make phone calls, or do some door-knocking. Even though the current energy is great, I wish we could have been more consistent with it since the summer."
Jones also commented on the surprising amount of support for Donald Trump in the Black community, despite his controversial views on women, migrants, and the economy.
Student Perspectives on the Current Political Climate
We spoke with Benedict College students and event organizers to gauge their perspectives on today's political climate and the candidates.
Morris Walker, a student from Washington, D.C., shared his thoughts: “I get why Trump talks about national security, like building the wall to reduce illegal traffic like drugs and gangs. But I also believe that immigrants are still human beings and should be treated as such. However, I disagree with Trump on issues like abortion. As a man, he shouldn't make decisions about women's bodies.”
Chase Ransom, another student, highlighted his view of the two political figures: "Kamala Harris feels more for the people than Trump. Trump may be a businessman, but I want a president who genuinely cares about the people. Harris seems to offer a safer economy and housing opportunities."
Both Morris and Chase, young African American men, appear to have less negative views of the former President than many Democrats might expect.
Organizers Share Their Motivation
Student organizers Nadia Gordon and Daelon Adaway, both seniors, discussed their reasons for participating in today's event.
Daelon emphasized, "College is a critical time for young people to learn about politics and become engaged citizens. If we can get them interested now, they’ll carry that knowledge into adulthood."
Nadia offered a candid perspective: "I love Kamala, but if we’re being honest, the debates looked more like family arguments than serious discussions. We need more focus on policies and less on drama."
Challenges for the Democratic Party
It's clear that Kamala Harris faces significant challenges, despite her slight lead in some swing states. Many young African Americans still see Donald Trump as a moderate figure, especially younger Black men who view him primarily as a businessman. This poses a challenge for Democrats looking to galvanize support, particularly in states like South Carolina, where the party has historically struggled to make inroads.
For African American communities, especially those most in need, the question remains: "What’s in it for us?" The Democratic Party needs to prove its commitment to creating real opportunities, beyond the slogans of freedom and change.
Today’s event at Benedict College sought to inform young black voters about their power and the potential for an "opportunity economy" as proposed by Vice President Harris. The challenge remains to ensure these newly registered voters turn out in November and that their voices are heard in the halls of power.
Axios reported that Harris is currently polling better among 18- to 29-year-olds than President Biden was two months ago. However, her support remains well below the significant margins Democrats have traditionally enjoyed over Republicans in this age group over the past two decades. To win, Democrats will need to bridge this gap to counter the GOP's strength among older voters.
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