On the morning after the election, nothing felt the same. Even slipping on my classic pair of Air Force Ones felt different, like everything had shifted overnight. My bus ride to school, normally packed to the point where I’d have to squeeze into a front-row seat, was eerily quiet. For the first time, I walked to the back, counting only a few heads before sitting down.
The sad realization of what the election results meant for my community settled in. It reminded me of when Vice President Kamala Harris visited James B. Dudley High in July. The energy she radiated and the hope she left us with felt transformative. For a community like ours, where it often feels like the odds are stacked against us, her presence was a reminder that representation matters.
Her visit wasn’t just a political stop, it was a moment that felt deeply personal to all of us. She spoke about the power of young people to shape the future and the importance of staying resilient in the face of adversity. The weekend after the Democratic National Convention was the first week of school. Her words from the convention sparked conversations throughout our school, from lunch tables to classroom discussions.
Suddenly, leadership didn’t feel like something reserved for other people, it felt possible for us. Seeing someone who looked like us, understood our struggles and still stood tall in one of the highest offices in the country gave us hope. In a school where we often feel forgotten, her presence reminded us that our voices carry weight.
Throughout history, we’ve seen how communities can rise above even the most visually impossible challenges. During the Civil Rights Movement, people from all walks of life joined forces to march, organize and demand change, proving that unity is a powerful force against systemic injustice.
Similarly, after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, La., grassroots organizations stepped in to provide aid, rebuild homes and restore hope when government assistance fell short. When Helene hit places like Asheboro and Florida, I watched and participated in writing letters to affected communities and donated my old clothes.
These moments show us that when people come together, they can rebuild not just structures but trust, dignity and community. Organizations like GSO Mutual Aid and Glenwood Together continue this legacy by addressing the pressing needs of our neighbors today, ensuring that no one is left behind.
A month ago, I had the blessing to assist in a GSO Mutual Aid event at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Curtis Street. I was surrounded by people from all walks of life. For my whole life as a child born to Sierra Leonean immigrants, I felt like I had to filter myself and gatekeep any ideas of my own, but as I helped color with the children (even if sometimes the marks went outside the lines), I couldn’t help but notice their unfiltered joy and curiosity.
They didn’t care about differences in age, race or background, they simply wanted to talk. Meanwhile, I spoke with older community members who shared stories of their own struggles and triumphs, painting a picture of resilience that I hadn’t fully appreciated before. One woman told me about how the Freedom Fridge had helped her family during a tough time, and her gratitude was palpable.
These interactions humbled me and made me realize that community service isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up and doing what you can. That day, I felt truly free to be myself, and for the first time, I saw how small acts of kindness can ripple outward to create real change.
This spirit of resilience isn’t just local, it’s universal. Across the globe in New Zealand, Māori communities are rising up to demand justice and protect their land and cultural heritage against policies that threaten their way of life. They are uniting to resist centuries of systemic oppression, showing that grassroots movements can spark change even against powerful institutions.
Their courage mirrors the struggles faced by marginalized communities everywhere, including right here in Guilford County. Whether it’s preserving culture, demanding justice, or simply ensuring that no one goes hungry, these movements remind us that unity in action is what drives progress.
The lesson is clear: no matter how big or small, every effort to help strengthens the bonds that hold communities together. You don’t need to be an elected official to make a difference. Volunteering at events, supporting organizations like GSO Mutual Aid, mentoring a younger student, or even donating canned goods to a community fridge can create ripples of change. When we show up for one another, we prove that division isn’t permanent, it can be overcome.
Now is the time to act. Let’s channel the energy of this election, the resilience of our communities and the hope for a brighter future into actions that build bridges, not walls. Together, we can create the change we want to see.
