Photo by Noah Cathey

By Noah Cathey, Staff Writer

Just one week after the election, Morehouse’s Journalism department hosted a conversation discussing the results and impacts of the 2024 presidential election. 

The event titled “Election 2024: Causes and Consequences of the Voters’ Choice” was moderated by journalist and author Donovan Ramsey ‘10. The event also featured four panelists: political strategist and MSNBC commentator Basil Smikle, Jr., Atlanta Journal-Constitution Maya Prabhu (Spelman Spelman ‘04), Kennesaw State History professor Dr. Seneca Vaught, and Morehouse’s own Political Science professor Dr. Adrienne Jones. 

Ramsey began the dialogue by talking about his personal disappointment, and the comfort Morehouse provides in times like this.

“In truth, I thought we would be having a much different conversation when I agreed to this event,” Ramsey said. “I know I’m supposed to remain unbiased as a journalist, but I was disappointed.​​ But there’s nowhere else I would want to be right now other than Morehouse College.”

The conversation began with the panelists providing explanations on why they think Donald Trump was victorious. They offered both personal and analytical views.

“I heard one man say that ‘I voted for Trump because I care for the price of eggs,’” Vaught said. “I became fixated on that idea. That disturbed me so much that I proceeded to look up the price of eggs in every state. Did you know that eggs actually cost less in states that voted red? To sell out democracy for the price of eggs—is that how fragile our democracy is?”

Smikle emphasized the true danger of the President-elect lies in the belief systems he implores which create division.

““Donald Trump spent more time talking about what Haitians eat than the price of eggs,” Smikle said. “Republicans validate the insecurities of their base. It’s a backlash to Black Lives Matter. It’s a backlash to DEI and LGBTQ Rights. When he dehumanizes people, he takes away the empathy for them. And when they come through with all the poisonous policy, you’re not going to care because the empathy is gone.”

With more than 200 students in attendance, including guests from Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University, this event provided insight on something students continue to be passionate about.  

“This conversation is happening so often,” said sophomore Elijah. “The political landscape is ever changing, and it will continue to change. Especially after the results of the election, conversations like this need to continue to be had.”

The discussion closed with students having the chance to ask the guests questions. Many of them expressed concerns about the direction America is currently headed and what that looks like for individual people. 

“About ten years ago, I said that although now I am a Political Science professor, I may one day end up in the history department,” Jones said. “Who knows what the national government or the three branches will look like at the end of this term.

“It’s not only him that’s the worry. It’s JD Vance, the supreme court justices, the senate. He has full control of the landscape. I don’t know if the classes I teach now will be applicable in the near future. I’m scared, too.”

Copy Edited by Editor-in-Chief, Colin Royal