In politics – and generally, in the world – black women are underrepresented. The majority of the people in powerful positions don’t look like us. And, we have to work harder than everyone else because we already have stigmas against us, such as stereotypes of being a mad, black woman or too aggressive. And the worst thing about it is you have to go through all of that and keep a good attitude.
At my community college, I was elected SGA president. That year was probably the hardest year of my life. My senate was mostly white males, and they put me through hell. Then, when I ran for statewide president of the SGAs, my opponent told my campaign manager that he was not going to let some black girl beat him. But, this black girl beat him. I was elected president of all of the SGAs of Florida colleges and community colleges, representing more than 800,000 students in the state.
So, you have to keep going, despite those stigmas or people not wanting you to succeed. You have to take those things, say ‘noted,’ and keep it moving. Otherwise, it’ll just hold you back.”
– Daria, political science major from Tallahassee, Florida, Class of Spring ‘18
