It feels as if I have been writing about the 2016 presidential election for years now. We now have less than a week before Election Day. There are currently four people running for the presidency, and many voters are still confused and displeased by the choices on the ballot. I do not normally publically endorse candidates, but for this incredibly important election I fully endorse Hillary Clinton to be the 45th president of the United States.
Is Hillary Clinton a perfect candidate? Absolutely not. However, I have yet to discover a candidate who was. Clinton is supremely qualified when compared with her challengers and in many ways there is no question in my mind as to her level of competence and understanding of the Constitution, Congress and the increasingly delicate international climate. It is imperative we vote on Nov. 8 for Clinton, and then stay on her and all other elected officials for the next four years to make sure policies we care about are on her agenda and she is advocating for what communities of color care about across the country.
I recently read an article that said it is imperative we as a nation elect Hillary Clinton, and then hold her feet to the fire for four years at least. Bernie Sanders and Black Lives Matter activists began some of this work by pushing Clinton and her campaign in a more progressive direction pertaining to incarceration, police brutality and educational equity. We must be sure the Clinton administration (if elected) tackles questions pertaining to systemic inequality, climate change, LGBTQ equity and so much more. In last week’s column, I called for our continued support for our Haitian brothers and sisters. The Clintons do not have a positive track record with aid to the island, so we must be sure to pressure the administration to make sure the most qualified individuals are spearheading the issues and solutions surrounding Haiti with 21st century policy solutions.
DJT is possibly the most dangerous presidential candidate in our nation’s history. His complete disregard and disrespect for the Constitution should frighten anyone who is concerned about the future of this nation, both domestically and abroad. The hatred he has excavated and openly supports and encourages should disqualify him from any leadership position in this nation now and forever. And his unwillingness to respect the peaceful transition of power, the very principle in which our nation rests, is downright deplorable.
I refuse to let my quest for perfection become the enemy of the good. I do think Hillary Clinton will continue some of the more positive policies of the Obama administration. I do not think she will squander her presidency with scandals and distractions. And I do think she will work tirelessly for the American people if given the opportunity. Looking at the four candidates running for office, there is no doubt in my mind that a vote for Hillary Clinton is the necessary and responsible thing to do.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University and the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream.” You can find her on Twitter @Dr_CMGreer.
