After a very passionate but losing bid for the presidency in the just-concluded 2024 elections, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris came to her home, Howard University, to graciously concede defeat to the President-Elect, Donald Trump. However, her speech was not only a farewell speech to campaigning but also the appeal to her followers and the entire nation. “If I have to accept the result of an election, then I can do so, but this fight which this campaign brought is not over,” Harris stated. Her focus here was on the fact that the mission that her campaign promoted freedom, opportunity, equality, and respect for all people in the USA will not end once she has secured her candidacy.
While Harris was still speaking, the audience of her supporters began to raise applause to support her words, interweaving thoughts about the pain of the transition and the principles that the candidate will follow. She was speaking to women along with the rest of America, encouraging them to stay strong and persevere. She introduced one extremely vivid phrase: ‘Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.’ She urged her audience to consider themselves as part of the ‘light’ that is required to combat the odds.
From her perspective, the loss was simply an example of a small flattening moment within an everlasting revolution towards social justice, equality, and a more equal future society.
From her campaign period, Harris maintained the slogan “it’s time for change,” with her intention being to rally the support of the so-called left-behind by the current administration as well as other marginalized citizens in this country.
She accepted that it was going to be tough for the nation, not just because of the winds of economic change but in the continued post-COVID-19 period, and her defeat demonstrated that there were two contrasting worlds in the electorate. But she vowed to keep on going with devotion to such concerns in an endeavor to emulate that everyone has to champion change at some point in time. Her speech ended up being an appeal of emotions about Americans to stay united in their beliefs regarding change and the importance of a vote, different or otherwise.
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However, Harris emphasized that her team would cooperate with Trump’s team to facilitate the transfer of power, and if there was one thing Americans should be proud of, it is the fact they practice democracy and the transfer of power. She offered congratulations to Trump on his win and invited the new administration to work together. By doing this, she was able to support the will and the process of democracy, despite the results being regrettable. She added, ‘We ought to bow to the decisions of this election.’ ”We have a duty to our country to ensure the transition to becoming a fully productive society seamless and fruitful.”
Harris’s concession speech dispelled the hostility that defined the election campaign; she fiercely debated Trump on serious matters of the economy, health care reform, and immigration. The investigations and controversies that arose from Trump’s previous term especially made his re-election campaign even more bitter. However, he was able to rally a considerable electorate base for a candidate and retain the position in an election that surprised even the critics on both ends of the political divide.
After Trump announced victory, some heads of state contacted him to congratulate him because of the support that was given during his campaign; still others were concerned about the change of a foreign policy philosophy, “America First.” In particular, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pinned his hopes on Trump for his administration’s continued assistance in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. It has not yet become clear what Trump’s election means for policy abroad, as Trump’s government has previously indicated plans to reduce foreign assistance.
While delivering her closing remarks, Harris focused on the idea of responsibility before the American nation and her fight for change regardless of the president of the United States. “This is not the election we campaigned for, not the election we yearned for, but the beacon of America’s promise will always be on as long as we continue to struggle,” she said. These words still resonate with her supporters to keep up the fight for change, as they supported her on her call.
