Kamala Harris’ 2024 concession speech was a bitter sweet end to a journey gone awry. On a beautiful warm fall day in November 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a supportive crowd as she conceded her race for presidential office. It was a somber event, with tears flowing from many eyes, disappointment spewing from many faces (including mine), and a reckoning of attempting to understand how America became so broken, frustrated and done with morals and values that over 70 million people made a conscious choice to place a known sex offender and convicted felon into the highest role in the country.

A decision that forces the country to take a look at its treatment of known felons. From having to disclose their convictions in job applications, to being unable to vote unless certain requirements are met, Black and Brown and White people from all over the country have traditionally faced discrimination in their paths to rehabilitation.

However, the person elected by over 70 million Americans will never know the plight of those people, as his crimes have been confirmed yet ignored, forgiven and silenced by the roars of racism, sexism and many other horrific connotations. Kamala Harris’ 2024 concession speech promised a new way forward but unfortunately we’re heading in an old way towards the future.

My high school history teacher often reminded us that “those who don’t remember the past are condemned to relive it” as people spew racial hate and sew division towards others I’m hopeful that the near 70+ million people who placed their vote with Kamala Harris will continue working towards a new way forward. As Kamala said “I concede this race but I don’t concede this fight.”