Every four years, during a presidential election, voters from both parties engage in pointless arguments about the candidates. Even our favorite celebs have their opinions.
While some supported President-elect Donald Trump, others backed Vice President Kamala Harris.
It can be difficult for many of us to ignore a celebrity’s political viewpoint. The fact is, however, that your vote is far too significant to allow a celebrity to sway it.
Let’s be honest. Influencers and entertainers have a lot of power in our society. Just one post or endorsement can change public perception. While some celebrities, including Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, and even UFC fighter Kamaru Usman, threw their weight behind Trump, well-known people like Beyonc and Kelly Rowland came out in favor of Kamala Harris. Then came the flip-flopping, such as when rapper Sexyy Red expressed her support for Trump before switching to Harris.
But should you vote differently as a result? Not at all. Your vote should not be influenced by the actions of your favorite athlete or artist, but rather by what is best for you, your family, and your community.
Consider Trump as an example. Trump was charged with 34 felonies for fabricating business records in New York in 2023. Among his many legal troubles is the conviction he received in a hush money trial. Trump’s star power, however, remains strong in spite of everything, in part due to his fame from his time on The Apprentice and other reality TV shows. He has taken advantage of his notoriety by transforming what ought to be important political conversations into yet another reality show.
In the meantime, Harris’s record run has given her star power. She would have been the first woman of any race to become president, the first woman of South Asian heritage, and the first Black woman if she had won. With Beyonc and other celebrities supporting her, it seemed as though a candidate’s endorsement from a role model is a vote of confidence. In actuality, though, their views shouldn’t have taken the place of the work you need to do for yourself, regardless of whether they were Trump’s celebrity fans or Harris’s.
For example, many young Black voters were very concerned about student debt relief, particularly when Biden’s proposal to cancel a larger network of student loans was rejected. However, do you believe that these celebs were having trouble sleeping because of their student loan payments? Most likely not. They may have been outspoken about it, but they were not facing the day-to-day hardships of working-class families.
Ultimately, this election—or any future one—is not about celebrities. It concerns you. Voting gives you a voice and the opportunity to advocate for the causes that are most important to you. Consider what you would like to see changed: healthcare, climate change, affordable housing, improved employment prospects, police reform, etc. As Black people, we are directly impacted by these challenges, so the next president must have a strategy to deal with them.
Therefore, stand back and think about the issues before using celebrity endorsements to influence you. This is about everyday problems that affect you, your family, and your neighborhood. Make the greatest choice for yourself by doing your homework and examining the contenders’ policies. Despite their ideas, celebrities are not experiencing your life.
It is you who will have to deal with the fallout from this election. While celebrities have their own platforms, voting is about ensuring that your needs and those of your community are taken into consideration.
