I cannot express enough how immensely thankful I am to the people of New York’s 9th District for re-electing me to a 10th term as their representative in Congress. Your trust in me is a source of great pride, and an obligation that I do not take lightly – particularly in this difficult moment for our nation. As a daughter of immigrants, as a Jamaican American, and as a Black woman born in our country, it was the privilege of my career and of my life to fight and campaign on behalf of a public servant that I believed in with my entire heart.
Vice President Kamala Harris ran an excellent truncated campaign centered on our common humanity and the promises of hope and unity. For the Caribbean community and Black Americans at-large who have been ceaselessly slandered and scapegoated throughout our history, to be led by a candidate who found pride in her identity and refused to allow others to define her was most inspiring and a true gift, and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. She and Governor Tim Walz, a delightful public servant whom I served with in the House of Representatives, will always carry my respect and gratitude.
Only one week ago, millions of Americans awoke in mourning of a nation they thought they knew and horrified for a country they dread it has become. Their pain extends far beyond the plains of distress. I see it in the faces of immigrant families, and in the tears that stain them. I see it in the pleas of our neighbors, who worry that they are in the crosshairs of the hateful who threaten their humanity. And I see it in my own heart, as we ready to, again, confront the dark forces of regression and oppression emboldened by racism and white supremacy.
I am heartened by the resolve, courage, and fortitude displayed by the ancestors and living legends who have prepared us to meet this moment. And while this is one of the greatest challenges of our times in American civil society, remember that we have all that it takes to transcend the darkness. Remember that progress has never followed a linear path. It ebbs and it flows and, while this outcome has disappointed many of us, we cannot permit it to discourage nor deter us. We must not despair – for the moral universe’s arc can only bend toward justice if we grab it with both hands, grit our teeth, and shape it ourselves. Our inaction will not overcome their action.
We will never see the dawn if we keep our eyes shut, nor will we find the America of our dreams by sleeping.
The only way out is through.
Over the next four years, the authors of Project 2025 will be trying to shape America’s narrative. They will ask us to abide by disturbing indignities and become bystanders to harrowing abuses. They will ask us to abandon our neighbors and turn our eyes blind to their struggles.
They will ask us to submit, to yield, to accept a despicable status quo. We will not.
In the face of all we fear to come, and all we fear to fall, we will continue to reject hate and accept our brothers and sisters. We will continue to pursue a just future and protect our fundamental freedoms. We will continue the work. Because ours is a special nation. It is a multiracial democracy, unlike any that has stood in the history of this world. It is imperfect, and it may dishearten us – but it is ours.
And every moment, every day, every election, we must work to build it and better it. We will fall back, and we will fall down, but we will never stop struggling and resisting and pushing for a country that loves every American in equal standing.
For Black Americans and all people of good will, we remain focused on that essential mission. And when we succeed – and we will succeed – at long last, we will have the America our forebears fought for and our children deserve.
Yvette Clarke is the ONLY Black woman representing New York in Washington. She has a known track record of bringing together moderates and progressives to pass progressive legislation to help communities of color, low-income families, immigrants, and more. If you'd like only the most important updates, you can opt for fewer emails here [[link removed]] , but if you don't want to keep Yvette proudly representing Brooklyn, you can unsubscribe: [link removed] .
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