Former President Barack Obama, who inspired millions with his message of “Hope,” recently encouraged Black men to support Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. However, as Black men, we must critically evaluate whether Harris is the right leader for us. Voting should never be about following endorsements blindly; it’s about assessing leadership based on merit. While Obama’s era may have been characterized by hope, Kamala Harris’s record gives us little reason to feel optimistic. Instead, many of us feel compelled to send a clear message: “Nope.”
One significant indicator of leadership quality is the ability to retain top talent. As Vice President, Kamala Harris experienced nearly 90% turnover in her office, with most of her team leaving. These weren’t just casual hires—they were ambitious, highly capable professionals eager to work in one of the most powerful offices in the U.S. The fact that so many left quickly should raise red flags. When a leader cannot maintain a solid team, it reflects serious issues—whether with the work environment, decision-making, or management style. This speaks more to the leader’s competence than to the team’s. Why should Black men, who often face precarious employment environments, support someone who struggles to manage their own staff?
Harris’s tenure has also been marked by a lack of meaningful policy initiatives that directly benefit the Black community. For all the talk of her being a “historic” figure, we have yet to see transformative change in key areas like criminal justice reform, economic equity, and the fight against systemic racism. Instead, the administration seems more focused on allocating federal aid and resources to illegal immigrants rather than addressing the needs of Black Americans who have long contributed to this country. From housing assistance to healthcare benefits, illegal immigrants are often prioritized, while many Black Americans continue to face poverty, underfunded schools, and limited economic opportunities. This is not the leadership we need. How can we trust someone to fight for us when it feels like we’re consistently placed on the back burner in favor of others?
As Black men, we’ve been encouraged to vote in ways that align with broader movements for equality, but once again, it feels like we are being asked to support someone based on their identity rather than their results. Kamala Harris’s candidacy is often framed as historic due to her race and gender, but where do her policies stand? Contrast this with Trump’s administration, during which the economy grew and Black unemployment hit record lows. While Trump was far from perfect, his policies included economic initiatives, criminal justice reform, and funding for historically Black colleges and universities that directly benefited Black Americans. Yet, we’re told to reject him purely because of his race and to support Harris just because of hers. Voting shouldn’t be reduced to identity politics. We need leadership grounded in results, not appearances.
Obama’s words carry weight, but we must remember that no one is entitled to our vote. Our voices deserve to be heard, and we should expect more from our leaders. Kamala Harris has not demonstrated the leadership Black men need, and the turnover in her office only highlights broader concerns about her effectiveness. When asked to vote for her, we must respond not with blind loyalty, but with a logical, rational, reasonable and heartfelt: “Nope.”