Are we to go with the lesser evil, or do we make the decision WE feel matters most to us?
Political Philosophy - No Lesser Evils
As a whole, we view our voices as something that cannot be represented in a political stance. Honestly, that thought process shouldn’t be deemed as a bad thing. With the upcoming election, the public is starting to see who is the lesser evil. Are we to go with the lesser evil, or do we make the decision WE feel matters most to us?
These type of questions seems to always arise during times like this because we are often forced into voting for someone who doesn’t align with our morals or values especially when we have to fight against the orange gremlin. This is not to say that new president candidate is a bad person or isn’t black? Yet, we do not align with that behaviors and professional decision of Kamala Harris. The same goes for trumplet, Biden, Obama or any president from before.
The irony is collectively we always wait until a few months before the voting day to actually commune and discuss political problems and systematic issues. In reality, the organizers, the real activist, and those who are in community with others, are having these conversations even way before election takes place on and off of social media. Social media tends to become a political playground when black lives are at stake.
In the ongoing election, many individuals have campaigned for president and continue to do so, yet they are being disregarded by not only the black community but also by those who wish to see us fail. Jasmine Sherman and Cornell West are some independent candidates who represent what American should be outside of a racial standpoint. No one seems to care about them because they feel these candidates do not have a chance of winning. Which is a cover up for they are not popular enough to get their vote. On one hand it is very understandable because who would want to vote for someone they don’t know. However, on the other it is am excuse to overlook them in my opinion.
The most heartbreaking aspect of this situation is that during the 2020 election, the very same group of organizers addressed issues that we are still being labeled as crazy for discussing. All of a sudden people want to put on the performative activism hats, and remind us that we are the problem. When in fact, it’s the ones we constantly put in charge and in power are the ones at fault . With that being said, even the lesser evils that we are picking are a part of the problem.
The lack of information that the American people truly have is a reflection of our voting options and decisions. For a prime example, in the black community, we overlooked Stacey Abrams as president because of her ability to showcase her blackness in full. However, in the day-to-day life of our community, we don’t get a chance to showcase our blackness in full and corporate or political environment like so.
Which is why I believe that Jasmine Sherman is being looked over as well. She is a fully black woman with braids in her hair who discusses change with in our society and that is something that can truly scare people into over looking the best options. Even with Cornell West, being a philosopher and activist rubs the American people the wrong way. This man literally has a black and white air fro that represents everything he’s been through in America and if he was to go to office, that will literally be an example of what we can, or cannot do. That alone scare everyone!
As a person who studies the field of philosophy, you can never make me choose between two evils even though one is less than the other. Having to choose between two individuals who I know, for a fact, is not going to give this country their best isn’t something I am personally willing to do. However, I truly do respect those who are willing to put their egos aside and vote for something based off a majority of a community.
Let’s be clear, none of the previous presidents, including President Obama made decisions for our lives that made us better, but no one is truly ready for that conversation. The individuals who refused to vote for the popular choice isn’t just being malicious, but they are very concerned about the future of our home.
These individuals spend day and night becoming better people, but also they spend their time educating themselves on what life truly lives like. We don’t settle for anything that’s less of us even if we are in a systematic hurtful society. We just want to be heard just as much as the next person, but we know our voices are being overshadowed by the lesser evil followers.
So, who are we to blame individuals for not having hope any of the candidates? Who are we to tell someone that their concerns about our future doesn’t matter? Everyone’s thoughts on the matter especially when it’s going against Trumplet matters. However, please do not forget that the system was never created to be broken by those who look like you.
Love this article Shareece! It truly speaks to the increasing amount of young people in America who see no point in voting anymore because they just know the less of 2 evils will win and their voices won’t be heard. Sort of speaks to why I think the 2-party system should be dismantled anyway. I want people to feel like their opinions matter. ❤️
From top to bottom, we are constantly asked to compromise our beliefs for the sake of a false sense of progress. The answers no and gonna stay no. Thank you for writing this.