Black Muslim students experience conflicting emotions on Kamala Harris' candidacy

Courtesy of Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons

Many Black Muslim students at the University of Maryland find themselves grappling with conflicting emotions regarding voting in the upcoming election.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic role as the first woman of color to run as a major party's presidential candidate has been celebrated by some Black students at this university. However, her lack of clear policy on the Gaza conflict has sparked critical reflection within this university’s Black Muslim community.

Harris consistently affirms Israel’s right to defend itself—emphasizing her, "unwavering commitment to Israel" in a July conversation with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She has also stated that, “now is the time to get a ceasefire deal and get the hostage deal done,” in an Aug 9. Speech at an Arizona rally.

Leen Gawiesh, a junior technology and information design major, highlighted Harris’ complacency in letting Israel receive funding during the Biden presidency.

“During the debate, it was interesting how she was saying she wants to put a stop to [the war in Gaza], but she's under Biden’s presidency, and Biden’s presidency was one of the main enablers. Most of the funding came from America, so it’s just like a paradox,” she said.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Biden administration has sent over $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel.

The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that U.S State Department has not taken action on 500 reports of civilian harm caused by U.S. made weapons.

Additionally, many students felt frustrated by the vagueness of Harris’ foreign policy agenda.

“[Harris’] campaign is doing a poor job at actually addressing the issues that Muslims are concerned about,” said Aliyah Shehadeh, a senior public health major. “They’re using very neutral language to kind of appease people to prevent saying something.”

“It’s really wishy-washy,” Jeng said in reference to Harris’ policies regarding Israel.

Gawiesh also felt Harris was trying to maximize voters with her vague policies. “She’s trying to play both sides. It’s kind of confusing.”

Some students also felt that Black Muslims had a harder time resonating with Kamala Harris than other Black people.

“Being Muslim makes me resonate less with her than the average Black person. Seeing her stance on Israel and AIPAC, it’s all very disheartening,” Omar Thiam, a junior computer science major, said.

Shehadeh, who is of Palestinian and Somali heritage, felt similarly, highlighting her conflicted feelings.

“You kind of see a little bit of yourself in her, growing up in America as a Black person. But at the same time, it’s hard,” she said. “It’s almost like…a person that’s smiling in their face, and seems so kind, but their policies are still hurting you.”

Gawiesh also felt that being Black and Muslim complicated her thoughts on electing Harris as president.

“It puts me in a gray area. I’m really not sure about what I want to do. No matter how inspiring a Black woman being the president of the United States is…she’s not in complete support with Gaza.”

Despite their conflicted feelings, many Black Muslims feel obligated to vote for Harris. Thiam spoke about having to prioritize his safety as a Black individual in the U.S. during this election season.

“Right now, in this election, I feel I'm prioritizing race more than religion, because of [Trump’s candidacy]. I’m trying to protect myself and other people that live just like me when I'm making my decision,” he said. “[Trump] does nothing proactive for people that are a minority. I feel like if I didn’t vote for Kamala, I’m putting people who look like me–and myself–at risk.”

If Harris were elected president, she would be the first female, Asian-American, and Black president in United States history.

Some Black Muslim students at this university feel representation is important because of its ability to inspire others.

“Whenever you can see someone that looks like you doing something, it kind of inspires you,” said Abdoulie Jeng, a junior information science major. “It’s nice to see someone who is Black in such a high-ranking position. Having a Black woman as the most powerful person in the world was inconceivable years ago.”

Other students feel that racial representation is no longer a priority for them due to a lack of action taken by minority leaders.

“I’ve seen other minority political representatives disappoint me already,” Hudda Zayed, a first-year graduate student and marketing analytics major, said. “It’s mattered to me less and less over time, the more and more I’ve been disappointed with candidates.”

Zayed also felt that religious values were more important to her than racial representation in political office.

“I think that being Muslim is probably my biggest identity over being a Black woman, and that’s the part of my identity that I care about the most,” she said.

Others felt that while Gaza is a top priority this election season, voting for third-party candidates who have expressed outright pro-Palestinian policies would not be the right decision.

“This election is just too crucial for me to not use my voice…The third-party candidates[,] those are wasted votes. They are going nowhere,” Jeng said. “I just have to go with Harris, and hope that she has a policy change at some point in her candidacy.”