Kamala Harris Wants Support From Young Black Voters. Here's What HBCU Students Want.

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This story was produced by the Open Campus HBCU Student Journalism Network fellows. It is republished here with permission.

In a few weeks, voters will decide who becomes the nation's next president. There's been much speculation about whether Vice President Kamala Harris' identity as a Howard University alumna will result in support at the polls from students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Both Harris and her opponent, former President Donald Trump, have publicly pledged their support of HBCU s and hope these students will turn out for them on Nov. 5.

But what do the students have to say? Open Campus' student journalism fellows , all HBCU students themselves, spoke to their peers on different campuses to learn more about what's motivating them this election season.

They voiced concerns on issues like economic stability, health care, student loans, and what they perceive as democratic values. These interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

Abbey Lynn-Gonzalez, president of the. Student Government Association at Dillard University in New Orleans, La.

Open Campus: Do you feel like students aren't actively engaging as much or participating in thiselection as they should be?

Well, I feel like that is a stigma. I think that the older generation pushes it onto us that we're not as active in politics, but we can definitely see with the 2020 election that was a lie. I do, however, believe that we have a lot of new people who are able to vote who, with proper guidance and proper information, will definitely be willing. That is our responsibility to ensure that they are informed well enough to make that decision.

Open Campus: Do you think Harris has energized young voters, especially HBCU students to get out and vote in November? You can tell that Vice President Kamala Harris has definitely reached out to HBCU students, and to the younger demographic as a whole. While former President [Donald] Trump has not. He's been focusing more on the older generation because again, it's the stigma that we don't show up and show out as much as the older generation does.

Zoe Hunter, junior English major at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Open Campus: What do you want to see at Howard in how the campus responds to the election?

What I'm hearing is a lot of confliction with a lot of students. I take a sociology class and some of my classmates are like "Oh I don't know if I want to vote because I don't agree with Harris." The big thing is Gaza and Palestine. A lot of people don't want to vote but they also don't want to deal with [Trump].

A lot of people are still on the fence about [Harris'] policies. There was a lot of misinformation spread about her and how she dealt with her time as a prosecutor in California. I think educating a little bit of people about her is something that is probably needed.

Da'Jion Taylor, Mr. NAACP at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss.

Open Campus: Why is it important for HBCU students to be politically involved?

I don't know how quick we will see the results of going in and voting, and then the changes being brought out, but I do know that that is a start. That leads into us just being politically involved making sure that we're up to date on what's going on in the political realm and in the political field. It will really serve for us just educate us on things that's happening: new rights, new amendments, new bills that's being put into effect that literally affect our everyday life, how we work, how we eat, how we sleep. Being politically involved makes sure that we're never unaware of the things that's changing so we can better adapt to them.

Caleb Pickens, president of the Student Government Association at Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss.

Open Campus: Why is it important for HBCU students to be politically involved and exercise their right to vote?

We know a lot of times HBCUs are in the front center of trying to get cut or, not maintaining enrollment, or not maintaining our accreditation. A lot of HBCU students don't know is that there's so much that [politicians] can do to help us out, if we just get politically involved — not saying that we have to sponsor anybody.

At one time HBCU students, we didn't have the power to vote ... So now that we have it, we should use it. I feel like a lot of times we don't understand the importance of voting and what it does, whether that's federal funding, or there's state legislation being passed on behalf of HBCU students, or for HBCUs. So many benefits are stuck in the House with bills and stuff because they haven't been passed. But it's not because lawmakers don't want them. That's because we don't. We're not voting for the right people to push them through. And so a lot of times, we have to make sure it's HBCU students we're advocating for ourselves, because nobody can tell our stories better than we can. We have to be ready to advocate. We have to be ready to fight for what's necessary. Because our HBCU depends on us.

Malaya Mason, sophomore political science major at Morgan State University Baltimore, Md.

Open Campus: Do you think Vice President Kamala Harris has energized young voters enough, especially HBCU students? Do you think that she's taking their vote for granted?

I think Harris is popular and I think her being an alumni of Howard and affiliated with the sororities makes her likable among [HBCUs]. It is another aspect of relatability that she has to a number of college students on campus. She is speaking our language right now but I think she could do better to appeal to young voters. Nevertheless, I think everyone thinks she is the clear option for the presidency.

Open Campus: What specific issues are you most concerned about?

Now that I am becoming an adult, economic stability is one of the biggest things for me. To know that when I graduate, I will be able to find a stable job and stable housing, and not be inflicted by inflation. Also health care and women's autonomy is important for me as a Black woman. Student loans are definitely a big thing. I'm on a full ride but I am still cognizant of the fact that a lot of my peers are not, and these loans could impact their quality of life as we get older. So I am passionate about making sure that not only am I okay, but the rest of my peer group is as well.

Tyler Mitchell, senior political science major at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md.

Open Campus: Are you registered to vote? Who are you voting for and why?

I am registered to vote and I will be voting for Kamala Harris because I like democracy. I do not trust former President Donald Trump to maintain democracy.

He has already shown to not care about democracy and he does not care for education or minorities. He only really cares for profit and I do not think that makes for a good president.

TJermaine Adams, political science major at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla.

Open Campus: Given the current political environment, what do you think are the biggest challenges for students who aspire to enter politics? How do you think your education has prepared you to face these challenges, particularly in dealing with misinformation and extreme viewpoints?

I think the biggest challenge for students who aspire to enter politics is social media. On one side of the spectrum, you have people who do not understand the weight and gravity their digital footprint has ... I feel like when I entered college, as a transfer student, my understanding of new politics and the proper etiquette has shifted with the climate, along with my own judgment.

Stay up-to-date with the politics team.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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