The 92%: Black Women, Kamala Harris, and the Psychological Impact of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Plus Six Practical Tools for Coping and Support
The 2024 U.S. presidential election has, yet again, highlighted the enduring political influence of Black women. According to the exit polls (Reuters, 2024), 92% of Black women voters cast their ballots for the current vice president, Kamala Harris. This incredible statistic demonstrates Black women’s unwavering commitment to upholding our democracy, shaping the nation’s future, and honoring the American dream. Despite this overwhelming and decisive support, the presidential election resulted in an unfavorable outcome for many Americans – mostly those of us committed to the preservation of basic human rights over saving a few cents on gas and eggs. In the aftermath of this election season, a few important points concerning the psychological toll that this election has had on this pivotal voting bloc have emerged.
Throughout U.S. history, we, Black women have functioned as the backbone of American society. We perpetually operate at the forefront of sociopolitical movements, consistently showing up for causes that prioritize equity and justice for all. Yet, our loyalty and labor often go unrecognized, unappreciated, and unfruitful in the face of persistent adversity. This election has brought to light the link between the political engagement of Black women and our psychological wellbeing. Vice president Kamala Harris represents Black excellence, strong Black womanhood, and Black girl magic, which are phrases we use within the Black community to acknowledge and celebrate high-achieving, tenacious, intelligent, holistically beautiful Black women. For many, the election results have indicated that upholding White supremacy, misogyny, and familiar mediocrity are more important than voting-in an exceedingly qualified Black, South Asian woman to the United States presidency.
In this commentary, we, a collective of scholars from the Black Women’s Wellness (BWell) Lab, explore the psychological and social implications of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Drawing from psychological research as well as our lived experiences, we aim to shed light on how this moment in history impacts the mental health, resilience, and collective identity of Black women. Finally, we provide a collection of evidence-based strategies and recommendations for Black women – including radical self-care – as we navigate these unprecedented times.
Psychological Impact of the Election Results
The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election have left many Black women grappling with a complex mix of emotions, ranging from pride in our ability to employ solidarity producing overwhelming support for Kamala Harris, to painful disappointment in the overall election outcome. This emotional dichotomy is representative of a broader psychological struggle that Black women often face in political contexts: the tension or cognitive dissonance between our role as a dependable voting bloc and the persistent systemic barriers that prevent us from experiencing our well-deserved political empowerment. The election results highlight the recurring pattern of Black women bearing the weight of political activism, only to see our efforts and hopes for transformative change shelved for an unforeseeable future. This can lead to feelings of frustration and disappointment, political fatigue, and emotional burnout. Fortunately, the election results have also reaffirmed the strength, compassion, and resilience that Black women continuously draw upon to fight for justice, equity, and inclusion, even when the odds are stacked against us. It is imperative to highlight the psychological impact of these opposing dynamics, as they reflect both a profound sense of responsibility as well as the enduring toll of unreciprocated, unappreciated political loyalty.
Social and Community Implications
For Black women, the election results have dual, likely simultaneous implications, navigating between the risk of political disillusionment and the potential for renewed activism. On one hand, repeated cycles of intense political engagement resulting in unmet expectations can foster disenchantment, causing some to withdraw from the political process entirely, a result the democratic party frankly cannot afford. On the other hand, moments of political disappointment often serve as catalysts for reignited advocacy and change effort, inspiring collective movements to push even harder for justice and representation. Social and community support plays a crucial role in the coping efforts of Black women, especially in times such as these. Social networks, faith communities, and activist circles serve as safe spaces for us to process our emotions, offer and receive validation, authentically express ourselves, and draw strength from shared experiences. These communal ties not only offer emotional relief but also fortify resilience, enabling Black women to continue our advocacy with renewed purpose and determination. By leaning on these support systems, we can transform political setbacks into opportunities for empowerment and sustained collective action. However, before the work continues, it is important for us to radically engage in rest and self-care. Self-preservation is of the utmost importance for Black women, considering the allostatic load or wear and tear on the body incurred in response to persistent external stressors. Rest, commune, repeat.
Broader Implications for Mental Health
Political stress can have a significant impact on the mental health of Black women, as evidenced by increases in our allostatic load. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress, also known as the wear and tear on the body, as well its long-term impact on one’s physical and mental health. For Black women, the persistent stress of navigating systemic racism and sexism is exacerbated by political events that threaten our sense of safety and security, agency, and belonging. These stressors can contribute to a range of health issues, including anxiety, depression, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. On top of that, the intersectionality of race and gender shapes the unique psychological challenges Black women face, further amplifying the effects of societal pressures. This dual, or compounding, marginalization often leaves Black women feeling hyper-visible in our roles as advocates and caregivers, yet invisible in terms of societal recognition and support. Addressing these issues requires a nuanced understanding of how intertwined systems of oppression impact psychological well-being, calling for mental health interventions that are both culturally sensitive and tailored to the lived experiences of Black women. The BWell lab seeks to remain responsive to these very needs.
Implications for Political Strategy and Future Elections
The 2024 U.S. presidential election results highlight an urgent need for political parties to re-evaluate their strategies for engaging and mobilizing Black women voters, a demographic that has consistently demonstrated unwavering support and unparalleled voter turnout. To maintain and strengthen this crucial alliance, parties must prioritize addressing the specific concerns of Black women, such as healthcare disparities, economic inequality, reproductive justice, and criminal justice reform. These issues directly impact our lives and communities, yet they are often sidelined in broader political platforms. Representation is also critical for fostering belonging and political validation for Black women. When we see ourselves represented in political leadership, such as in the historic vice presidency of Kamala Harris, it not only reinforces our political agency but also inspires the next generation of leaders. Marx et al.’s (2009) “Obama effect” demonstrates the positive impact this representation can have on the performance of the individual. For political parties, investing in the leadership development and visibility of Black women within their ranks is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for future electoral success.
Concluding Remarks
Black women have long been the driving force of political movements, leading change effort, and championing liberty and justice for all, despite systemic barriers and limited recognition. The 2024 U.S. presidential election, yet again, highlights our pivotal role in shaping the sociopolitical landscape, though it also underscores the psychological toll of this labor. To ensure that Black women can effectively continue to lead and thrive, we must prioritize our well-being, addressing the challenges unique to us as well as systematically amplifying our voices. This requires systemic investment in culturally-responsive mental health resources, equitable policies, and increased representation in leadership roles.
As we move forward, let this moment galvanize continued advocacy, community support, political engagement, and radical rest and self-care. Black women have consistently shown up for America, now it is time for America to show up for us.
6 Practical Tools for Coping and Support: A Restorative Guide for the 92%
1. Radical Rest and Self-Care
Prioritize rest as an act of resistance against an American culture that glorifies overworking, especially for us Black women. This includes scheduling regular downtime, engaging in restorative activities like meditation, journaling, or yoga, and setting boundaries to protect your time and energy. Encourage other Black women to do the same by sharing resources or organizing collective self-care days. To read about radical rest, check-out Tricia Hersey’s books, Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey and We Will Rest!: The Art of Escape. Also, the BWell lab has developed a curated list of wellness resources, the Rest Well Syllabus, that you may find helpful. Visit https://www.bwelllab.org/wellnessresources to access this list.
2. Community Building and Mutual Support
Strengthen ties within your community by fostering safe spaces where Black women can gather, share experiences, and offer mutual support. These can include support or wellness groups, book clubs, or even sistah circles. The sense of belonging and shared understanding within these groups can be a powerful source of resilience.
3. Engage in Advocacy and Activism as Healing
Transform feelings of frustration or helplessness into action by participating in advocacy efforts that align with your values. Whether it’s through volunteering, organizing, or amplifying causes on social media, activism can serve as a therapeutic outlet and a way to reclaim agency.
4. Seek Culturally Responsive Mental Health Resources
Seek out therapists and support systems that understand and affirm the lived experiences of Black women. Therapy or counseling from professionals with cultural competence can provide a safe space to unpack the unique challenges you face. Consider online directories like Therapy for Black Girls for finding such resources. Visit https://therapyforblackgirls.com/.
5. Celebrate and Affirm Identity
Regularly engage in practices that affirm your identity and celebrate Black womanhood. This can include reading literature by Black women, attending cultural events, or engaging in spiritual practices that honor your heritage. These affirmations reinforce self-worth and provide a counterbalance to societal pressures and microaggressions.
6. Lean into Spirituality and/or Mindfulness Practices
Whether you are spiritual, religious, or neither, leaning into the practices that ground you can be deeply restorative. For some, this might mean prayer, attending religious services, or connecting with faith-based communities. For others, mindfulness practices like yoga, deep breathing, mindful walking, or gratitude journaling can help center the mind and soothe the spirit. These practices can serve as an anchor, helping to navigate stress and uncertainty while fostering a sense of inner peace and connection to something greater than oneself.
References
BWell Lab. (n.d.). Wellness resources. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from https://www.bwelllab.org/wellnessresources
Edison Research. (2023, September 29). U.S. elections. https://www.edisonresearch.com/solutions/u-s-elections/
Marx, D. M., Ko, S. J., & Friedman, R. A. (2009). The “Obama effect”: How a salient role model reduces race-based performance differences. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45(4), 953-956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2009.03.012
Reuters. (2024, November 6). Results of national exit poll on US presidential election. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/results-nevada-exit-poll-us-presidential-election-2024-11-05/
Therapy For Black Girls. (2023, September 15). https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
