Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
On Tuesday in North Carolina, on the night of the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, Team Harris-Walz and the North Carolina Democratic Party held more than 100 watch parties in all 100 counties across the state.
The Black Voters Presidential Debate Watch Party held in Greensboro was hosted by N.C. District 58 Rep. Amos Quick at New Light Missionary Baptist Church.
“Democracy is on the ballot,” said Quick. “We can’t afford to have former President Trump back in power because we’ve already seen what he can do, and it wasn’t good for us.”
He added he believes that Harris’ focus on small business creation and affordable housing speaks directly to the majority of the American people.
“As a member of the General Assembly, I see those issues across the state. Harris is talking about values and policies that affect the people directly and those who need the help the most,” said Quick.
Greensboro resident and longtime voter Yvonne Hunt-Perry expressed her support for Harris’ policies, particularly those focused on empowering women and strengthening the middle class. She also hopes the campaign will inspire and energize younger voters to get involved.
“We can’t go back. Under his presidency, I lost faith and hope in democracy. I really hope that young voters are energized this election because it’s time for a change and their voice is needed for our future,” said Hunt-Perry.
Young voters like Alashia Farrh, a junior at UNCG, who said she was disappointed that Trump seemed to avoid more questions than he answered, particularly on immigration.
“I think this debate just further exposed what he actually thinks about minorities and people of color in this country,” said Farrh. “And as a college student myself, eliminating the Department of Education is not an option for me. Or the bans on abortion. If me, or any of my friends were to get pregnant, we deserve to have the right to make choices for own bodies.”
N.C. District 28 Sen. Gladys Robinson noted that North Carolina is already seeing effects of Trump’s Project 2025 agenda with millions of dollars in school vouchers going to private schools this year, decreased funds for Medicaid, and laxed legislation on gun control.
“This means that they are already decreasing support for public schools. We must be focused on changing North Carolina,” said Robinson. “I think this debate showed America what a liar Donald Trump is. The real danger is the threat he poses to women, especially with what he’s already done in the Supreme Court regarding abortion. He is a threat to leadership. We can’t afford a leader who can’t negotiate with other world leaders or one who won’t respect the rights of the people.”
Greensboro residents Danielle and Roy Jackson remarked that Harris’ clear stance on expanding economic opportunities aligns closely with their own ideals and values.
“There were a lot of accusations and a lot of Trump saying what he did, rather than what he will do as president. There was no validity. Out of 90 minutes, I could only pinpoint two things that he said that were true – when he discussed NATO and the withdrawal plan from Afghanistan,” said Danielle. “As a voter, I think that her (Harris) policies on economic opportunities for all people is what this country needs.”
Roy added, “He (Trump) never gave us a clear plan on anything, especially healthcare. He spent years opposing the Affordable Healthcare Act without offering a replacement. It’s disappointing that someone wanting to lead the country has no vision for the people, only for those in his tax bracket.”
Harris is set to visit both the Greensboro and Charlotte areas on Thursday, September 12. No further details have been released by the campaign at press time.
