Raven Harper | Section Editor

When it came to this year’s presidential election, everything was on the ballot. Healthcare, the criminal justice system, the economy, education, and COVID-19 to name a few. In hopes to discover how elected officials are tackling these issues, We Talk About Its’ Yordanos Belayneh and Bailey Smith hosted ‘Let’s Talk Politics,’ an open and informative conversation with elected officials, Congresswoman Elaine Luria and Congressman Bobby Scott in late October. 

Sparked from a heated debate in Hampton’s cafeteria one day, third-year students and friends, Mason Cardwell, Yordanos Belayneh, Bailey Smith, Cole Pryor, Darius Henderson, Amber Harvey, Terell Arlington, and Jenai LaGarde created We Talk About It. Built to create stimulating and open conversations about a wide array of topics, the talk show prides itself on the diversity among its hosts as well as the different opinions that come with them. Just recently, their talk show made it to IHeartRadio. 

In a new segment entitled ‘Let’s Talk Activism’, Belayneh and Smith invited Virginia’s 2nd congressional district representative, Elaine Luria, and Virginia’s 3rd congressional district representative, Robert ‘Bobby’ Scott to their event ‘Let’s Talk Politics.’ 

Held via zoom on October 16th, the show’s purpose was to hear from two elected officials that represent Hampton students in Virginia on what they are currently doing from an insider’s perspective to solve these issues. 

Being in a state filled with various colleges and universities, the event kicked off in a discussion about the current pandemic’s effect on college campuses and what it is going to take to effectively and safely reopen. 

Congresswoman Luria mentioned how funding is the major thing that is going to help with colleges reopening safely. 

“We recognize that for colleges and universities to adapt during the time of COVID, that had a huge price tag to it,” Luria stated. “We want to make sure through legislation like the CARES Act and if we can come to another COVID relief package that it continues to include money and funds for higher education to do testing, etc.” 

The conversation then continued, touching on the current initiatives and legislation both Representatives Luria and Scott are currently working on such as; the George Floyd Policing

Act, the College Affordability Act, and the PROAct. These various legislations were made to address community policing, the growing wealth gap, and student loans. 

Focusing on the largest issues affecting the people they have been chosen to represent, Luria and Scott both agreed that their hopes for the next administration are that their work can continue. 

“Working with an administration who will be working with us, not against us on all of these [initiatives and legislations], will certainly be a delight,” Scott said. 

Towards the end of the event, host Belayneh and Smith opened the floor up for questions from the live audience in attendance. In response to a student sharing their discouragement to vote after watching the recent presidential debates, Congressman Scott shared how that should be the exact thing that inspires them to vote. 

“I don’t know why anybody would be discouraged,” Scott stated. You ought to be activated to vote. 

As the event came to a close, people in attendance were left with greater insight on what their elected officials are currently working on to fight for citizens like themselves. Host Yordanos Beleyaneh also left attendees with an encouraging message, urging them to go out in vote on November 3. 

“To the young adults, as the future of tomorrow, it is our duty to stand up for change. The revolution starts with us. So why not act now?” Beleyaneh stated. To hear more discussions like this, follow Let’s Talk About It on Instagram @we.talkaboutit. You can also find them through their podcasts on Spotify, WeHeartItRadio, and Youtube.

Noa Cadet | Staff Writer

The 2020 Presidential Election season has sparked a fire within America like no other. Motivated by a need to be represented in the political arena, millions of Americans rallied to place their votes in for the next President of the United States, who is now Joe Biden. However, does a push for change in this country end with who becomes the President? Not when it concerns Hampton University’s Political Science Club. 

 On Monday, November 7th at 7 p.m EST, Hampton University, joined by several other HBCUs including but not limited to Texas Southern, Dillard, Jackson State, Norfolk State, and more, held a joint event, “You Voted! Now What?” That evening, the schools discussed what to do to ensure change post-election. 

The event hit the ground running with an impactful message from a special guest, U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district. He advised students to remain involved past the election date and to continue to stay active in one’s community, for local politics directly influence the area in which one lives. 

“You don’t disengage, you stay engaged,” Representative Thompson said. “In a democracy, you stay involved.” 

From there, the conversation started on the matter of political efficacy, which is the measure of citizens’ trust in their influence upon politics and policy. Students from various HBCUs agreed that the best move to make after the election is to remain involved, be aware of your local representatives, and ultimately assimilate yourself within the community. By becoming involved in your local community, you can keep abreast of changes to policy and have a better understanding of how potential bills can impact the area in which you live. 

The consensus amongst Hampton students, as well as other HBCU students attending, was that while voting is a very important part of maintaining your voice, it is just as important to make sure your elected officials are aware that they have a responsibility to the people first. 

The second topic of the night was that of voter registration and, more specifically, voter suppression. A recurring problem regarding election seasons on their own, voter suppression has become even more important to talk about this election because of its popularity and how stressed voting has become. Event attendees were challenged to name as many possible sources

of voter Suppression there are, in which things as broken poll machinery, Exact Match laws, and lack of accessible voting stations were named. 

To solve this, HBCU representatives at this event offered volunteering at voting stations so that there was more personnel for more voting areas to open up, thus increasing accessibility. Also, lobbying against Exact Match laws was suggested, as exact signature match laws can easily result in an invalid vote if your signature has changed from the one listed on your registration. 

Overall, perhaps the most important discussion of the night was when the conversation switched to institutionalized racism. How best to be protected in a country that wasn’t originally meant to protect black citizens and how to make your voice heard when elected officials fail to represent you. 

As we live in a time in which racial tensions are high, and acts of violence against black people and minorities, in general, are becoming more and more common, the HBCU representatives present at the event stressed that unity amongst black people is key. Now more than ever, it is imperative to band together and ensure that everyone is made aware of the black voice. Whether it be police brutality against a black man or a black woman or a case of social injustice, the black community should band together to support change on all fronts. 

With this in mind, the conversation shifted back to activism, and the idea of holding elected officials responsible. From knowing who your representatives are to holding them accountable, we can ensure that our representatives represent the people, looking out for our interests, instead of working for their own. 

As the event closed, the HBCU attendees advised each other to make sure that they are aware of their representatives through apps like Causes, an app that lets you know who your representatives are and how to contact them. They made it clear that while voting and the election is a wonderful first step, it is not the only step. We must continue the fight for the change that we want. We fight today so that tomorrow is easier.

Vashti Dorman | Staff Writer

The election results are in, and Joe Biden has been elected to serve as the 46th president of the United States. The news came early Saturday, and with the advances in technology and social media, the news of his victory quickly spread through the Hampton University community. 

Since Hampton is currently online for the 2020-2021 semester due to COVID-19, celebrating together on social media was the closest thing to celebrating on campus. Even though students felt an obvious disappointment from not being able to share this moment in person with their fellow peers and classmates, Hampton students didn’t allow distance to stop them from enjoying this monumental movement in history for our community. 

“I found out through Twitter when one of my friends tweeted ‘Biden Won,’” said Briana Previlon, a third-year Political Science major from Boston, Massachusetts. “I’m kind of sad we aren’t on campus to celebrate together, but we celebrated together online in a way,” she finished. 

On every social media platform, Hampton students were celebrating by posting comical videos, sharing posts, and tweeting to show their excitement for Donald Trump losing to Joe Biden. Also, a lot of first-time voters displayed excitement for casting their first ballot for the first African American and female vice president. 

“This is my first time voting, and it just so happens that I was allowed the pleasure of voting for a black woman,” said Cheri Manning, a third-year psychology major from Rochester, New York. “I cried when I found out Joe and Kamala won. I never thought it would be possible in this America,” she continued. 

Many Hampton students felt the same way, tweeting about their excitement and joy for being able to see the first woman of color elected as the next vice president of America. 

After months of struggling to adapt to online learning, receiving what seems like an endless load of bad news, and surviving the unparalleled year of 2020 overall, students showed that they needed something to celebrate. This news served as a mental break for several people, allowing them to set aside whatever stresses they were facing at the moment and share in the joy of the presidential election results. 

Later that day, the Hampton community shared a historic moment in watching Kamala Harris give a speech on national television as the first woman of color vice president of the United States. Many students shared tears of joy to be able to see a woman from the same background as them run the country.

“When I saw Kamala give her speech, I cried,” said Daeline Brown, a third-year journalism major from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “She even shouted out black women. We never get the applause that we deserve, so I love her for that,” she finished. 

A lot of students were nervous throughout the week after election day due to the electoral votes fluctuating so much and the counts moving so slowly. After the news spread about Joe Biden and Kamala Harris surpassing the 270 electoral votes needed, they felt a sense of relief knowing they wouldn’t have four more years of Trump.