This year’s presidential election has been the most entertaining and, maybe, defining of my lifetime. Just like the back-to-back elections of President Obama, this election has taught me that the improbable can become likely.
The two leading candidates include a woman, albeit an experienced politician, and a real estate tycoon, who has not held political office. The other major candidate, though his campaign days are now numbered, is a veteran politician known for his socialist views in a country with a strong capitalistic tradition. In my view, this is truly amazing! It symbolizes the greatness of our political system where any citizen, regardless of classification and qualification, can aspire to serve in the highest capacity.
Donald Trump has surprised many, including me, with his unconventional presidential campaign. I once proclaimed that he wasn’t a serious candidate. I thought that his campaign’s purpose was to entertain until a more serious candidate with a better ability to appeal to minority voters, especially Hispanics, emerged. Wrong! I said that he would not be a threat to win the general election. Wrong again!
He is now the soon-to-be Republican Party nominee, which makes him one of the two main options in the general election. Moreover, he has recently polled ahead of his soon-to-be Democratic Party opponent, Hillary Clinton, in some polls.
I have found myself frequently surprised and impressed by his campaign’s success. I underestimated the desires and mood of many of his supporters and his ability to effectively give them what they wanted. His unorthodox, blunt, and yet dynamic speaking style has excited many people to participate in the political process for the first time. His campaign has successfully sparked vigorous debates on prioritizing American workers and reforming our Immigration system.
Bernie Sanders has similarly surprised me with the success of his campaign. While he will not be the Democratic nominee, his campaign, like Trump’s, inspired millions of people to get involved in the democratic process. His campaign has pioneered advocacy for many reforms, including campaign financing and education.
However, for every plus, there’s always a minus. Divisiveness is definitely a constant minus in politics. For whenever you advocate on behalf of something, it inevitably means taking attention, power, or resources from something else. Despite most successful presidential campaigns being built on unifying principles, the winning campaign’s agenda will never please everyone.
On one hand, Donald Trump has excited many people by pledging to “make America great” by prioritizing citizens, workers, and legal residents and toughening our stance on immigration. On the other hand, he has angered many with various comments that some see as nationalist and downright racist.
Similarly, Bernie Sanders has excited many by pledging to make the American system work for all Americans in mostly economic and social terms. However, many wealthy Americans may feel that his ideas are punitive towards them.
While political campaigns can be divisive, the fact that there is a voice to bring widespread attention to a common concern is seen as a victory. For if the cause is powerful enough then it is only a matter of time before it is addressed in policy.
For a while, African-Americans have been looking for such a voice to lift their concerns politically. While President Obama’s election is seen as a huge historical accomplishment for the community, many of the prevailing concerns that preceded his election remain. The problems are numerous: racial discrimination, inner city violence, police brutality, drug problems, high incarceration rates, educational and economic disadvantages, and so on. While President Obama, along with his predecessors and other elements of the national and local governance, has addressed many of these issues in some form or fashion, much more action is needed to remedy them.
I believe that many politicians sympathize with these issues of importance to the African-American community. However, many of them lack the credibility or bravado to raise these issues in an impactful manner. There ought to be a unique voice that could propel this conversation forward.
Enter Kanye West, who in a dramatic impromptu speech at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, announced he would run for president in 2020. I believe that if he were serious about running that he would have a profound impact similar to Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders.
West possesses an unpredictable character. He has a knack for spontaneous outbursts that reverberate across our society. He once criticized President Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina by concluding that he didn’t “like Black people.” While President Bush vehemently denied such prejudice and even called the Katrina moment one of his lowest as president, West’s assertion reflected the feeling of many in the African-American community. He showed huge courage by saying what many people in the community were thinking—whether his statements were valid or not. Does this sound similar to someone running currently for president?
West also would bring a unique blend of consciousness, credibility, and substance to the political realm. He has produced and written several lyrical masterpieces that display his personal experiences and awareness of African-American issues. I think a series of lines on “Never Let Me Down” from his debut album, The College Dropout, beautifully captures this quality of West:
“I get down for my grandfather who took my mama/ Made her sit in that seat where white folks ain’t want us to eat/ At the tender age of six she was arrested for the sit-ins/ And with that in my blood I was born to be difficult/ Now n***** can’t make it to ballots to choose leadership/ But we can make it to Jacob’s and to the dealership…”
While he and I share the same disappointment that many African-Americans choose not to be politically active, I am certain that he agrees that it is difficult for many of them to get involved in a system that has not adequately addressed many of the issues plaguing their communities. With this in mind, I believe that a West campaign could articulate many of the community’s concerns in an unprecedented way. Even if it succeeds only in spreading a message (like the Sanders’ campaign) or provokes uneasiness because of its tone (like Trump’s campaign), he could inspire the actions needed to address these issues. These actions may not occur overnight, but if his efforts lead to gradual change then people could benefit over time from the slow progression than maintaining the status quo.
I also believe that West is highly capable of building a coalition of support necessary to win a general election. Throughout his career, he has been able to galvanize people of different backgrounds around his artistic displays. I believe that he is capable of translating that gift into political success.
Kanye West should run for president sometime in the future—maybe 2020, 2024, or sometime after that. If he elects not to run in the future, many others and I will continue to enjoy and support his artistry. For he, other influential dignitaries, and numerous events have opened many eyes and inspired many people to take action.
Mr. West, I know you told the audience during the VMAs to “listen to the kids”. However, as a kid, I want the world to listen to you. I believe if we listened to you on the campaign trail, it would be a blessing to this country. So go for it!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kanye-West-Yeezus-For-President-2020-Yeezy-T-Shirt-Tee-Funny-Vote-Tour-Dope-Yolo-/201438164809 (Photo Credit)
