The DNC from the Perspective of Gen Z: Part 3
Well, the Beyoncé performance rumors were false. But I didn’t feel the absence. Night four of the DNC: save the best for last, right?
Thursday, August 23rd. The fourth day of the DNC. I was going to combine days three and four for part two of this series, but it only made sense to attribute one article to the final night.
My eyes widened and my heart ached as I listened to the speakers who discussed their own experiences with gun violence. My body warmed as I watched republican politicians speak out about the importance of voting blue in this election. My hands released particles of anticipation sweat as Maya Harris (yay name twinsies!) introduced her sister. And of course, my skin produced goosebumps as VP Kamala Harris took the stage.
As Harris walked on stage, the watermark of her campaign —Beyoncé’s song “Freedom”— echoed through the hall and through my television. Harris waved at the crowd with a smile brighter than Times Square on a Friday night as cheers overtook the speakers. It took over five minutes for the crowd to tamper down. All we heard was Harris shouting “Good evening! Good evening everyone! Good evening!” until she finally got the audience to settle. Her voice was as animated and excited as could be. My sister and I made eye contact because all we could hear was: “I love Gen Z. I just love Gen Z.”
Once the crowd settled, Harris thanked her husband Doug and went on to say, “Happy anniversary Dougie. I love you so very much.” Immediately, her speech began with love and gratitude. And after spreading this gratitude to President Biden, Governor (Coach) Walz, and America, Kamala shocked my family.
My brown family was pleasantly surprised to hear Kamala address her roots. As she discussed, Kamala was mostly raised by her immigrant mother in middle class America. She used the same tactic as Clinton in 1992, Bush in 2000, and Obama in 2008. She related to America. She acknowledged that we run on the middle class. She acknowledged that we need to strengthen our middle class. She acknowledged that our president should come from the middle class. They know what needs to be done from the raw perspective.
As Kamala unraveled the story of her past, I felt nothing other than awe. Finally, she was telling us who she is. After countless attacks on her identity, she set the record straight. After Indians feeling like she wasn’t Indian enough and Black people feeling like she wasn’t black enough, she discussed the special mix she is proud to be. After many people not really knowing who she was or what she stands for, she carved her name in history. And “on behalf of the people,” she proudly accepted our nomination as the crowd roared.
After discussing her goal to be America’s cheerleader, Kamala said that “in many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man.” My sister and I smirked, as this was the most Gen Z thing to say. But she followed this phrase with facts. Trump being back in office will be detrimental for our country. All he cares about is himself. She knows this. We know this. And that is why “We are not going back.”
In every way, Kamala is the polar opposite of Trump. She worked for what she has. She’s a strong Black and Indian woman. She came from the middle class. She tirelessly worked for her people as Trump worked for his own wallet. She wants to restore and preserve freedoms. He wants to take away more freedoms. She wants our children to feel safe in schools. He doesn’t care. She wants peace in our international affairs. He wants to get cozy with dictators. She wants health and stability and consistent paychecks for everyone. He “fights for himself and his billionaire friends.”
Now, I’m going to stop rambling about the differences between Harris and Trump. Because to be honest, it’s a mood killer. And that’s the exact opposite of what I felt that night. Yes, I was overwhelmed with dread and fear about my future and my friends’ future as she discussed Trump’s America. But she turned it around and looked us in the eye as she assured us “guided by optimism and faith,” she will “fight for this country we love.” Because at the end of the day, one fights for something because they love it, not because they hate it.
Inspiration guides us, not fear. Love guides us, not hatred. Passion guides us, not money. Liberty and freedom and opportunity guides us, not pessimism. And I believe that because we love and we care and we fight, the future built by us and for us can be bright.
I leave this series feeling uplifted and motivated. I leave this series telling you that we must maintain the electricity of that night. And I leave this series with one more thing: we are not going back.
Cue “Freedom” by Beyoncé.