HBCU Students and Staff Speak Out on First Presidential Debate: Trump vs. Harris

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have always been known for keeping it real and cutting through the BS, and the recent presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris was no exception. Students and staff at the nation’s most prominent HBCUs had a lot to say about the debate, with many expressing skepticism about Trump’s performance.

Howard University student Laila Hinton was shocked by Trump’s antics during the debate, from spewing falsehoods about abortions to making racist comments about Haitian immigrants. Hinton felt that Trump came across as unprepared and weak compared to Harris. Similarly, Morgan State University senior Thalya Baptiste described Trump as incompetent and unable to match Harris’s stature.

Despite initial skepticism about Harris, Baptiste now sees her as a source of hope and inspiration. Another Morgan State University student, Colin Carr, believes that Harris’s stellar debate performance may not be enough to sway Trump’s supporters, who tend to stick with their candidate regardless of evidence.

With over 67.1 million viewers tuning in to the debate, the stakes were high for both candidates. Bowie State University professor Dr. Karen Cook Bell declared Harris as the clear winner, citing her policy initiatives and contrast with Trump’s chaos. Bell believes that Harris’s performance was effective enough to win over undecided voters and inspire change, likening her to former President Obama in terms of bringing hope to Americans.

As a graduate of Harris’s alma mater, Howard University, Bell emphasized that HBCUs can lead to success in the highest levels of government, including the Oval Office. Harris’s optimism and vision for the future stand in stark contrast to Trump’s chaos, making her a potential change agent and a strong contender for victory in November.