Stacey Abrams urged Harris-Stowe State University students to recognize and use their political power, telling them democracy is more than an abstract concept — it is a tool for shaping their future.
Abrams, a lawyer and former Georgia state representative, visited Harris-Stowe Wednesday for a conversation about democracy, civic participation and political leadership.
Her visit came during a busy homecoming week at the university. Students, staff and community members gathered in the Emerson Performance Center for the discussion, moderated by Missouri state Rep. Ray Reed.
Before Abrams took the stage, Reed warmed up the audience with a chant: “Fired up! Ready to go!”
Abrams took the stage smiling and quickly joked with Reed. When he asked how she was doing, Abrams responded, “That’s your first question?”
Abrams described democracy as a system of shared power and encouraged students to think about voting and civic engagement as tools they can use to influence decisions affecting their lives.
“Democracy is not just to be admired. It’s not just an abstract concept to be revered. It is a tool,” Abrams said.
She emphasized that the stakes of elections extend beyond the names appearing on a ballot, affecting issues ranging from health care and employment to housing and the criminal justice system.
Abrams also acknowledged the frustration some young people feel when political participation does not appear to produce immediate change. She said those feelings should not be dismissed, particularly as younger generations watch rights that previous generations fought to secure come under threat.
Abrams said both of her parents were civil rights activists and that her father was arrested at 14 for helping register Black people to vote.
“Your generation … you are the first generation to lose civil and human rights in your lifetime since Reconstruction,” Abrams said. “And that, I think, is a necessary truth to say: You are not hallucinating. But we have been here before. We just haven’t been there like this.”
She said recognizing the seriousness of the current moment should not lead young people to disengage, but instead reinforce the importance of understanding and exercising their political power.
She told students their generation also has advantages previous generations did not, including access to instant information, the ability to rapidly share that information and new ways to translate information into action.
Throughout the conversation, Abrams returned to the idea that power ultimately rests with people. Voting, she said, is one tool for exercising that power, but meaningful civic participation also includes organizing, protesting, attending local government meetings and remaining engaged after Election Day.
Jamel Frazier, a junior at Harris-Stowe, said that message was his biggest takeaway.
“That’s the one thing she said that really stuck with me: We have the power,” Frazier said. “No matter how much they say we don’t have power, we have the power. We need to exercise it.”
Kristen Roberts, a junior and Student Government Association president, said she and fellow student leader Issa Smith have been working to promote voting and civic engagement among students.
“I took away one thing that she said toward the end: ‘Having nothing is not an excuse for doing nothing,’” Roberts said.
The message resonated with Roberts, a first-generation college student who said her parents gave her opportunities they did not have themselves.
“Even though my parents didn’t have it, I have it,” Roberts said. “They gave me the opportunities to have it, to reach out, to advocate.”
Harris-Stowe President Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith also emphasized the importance of students recognizing their ability to shape their communities.
“I believe education here is a responsibility: to help students understand the world and prepare them to shape it,” Collins Smith said. “At Harris-Stowe, we develop informed citizens, critical thinkers and principled leaders who have the confidence to ask difficult questions and the courage to serve their communities.”
Collins Smith told students that civic participation does not have to begin after they leave college.
“To our scholars, you do not have to wait until graduation to make a difference. Learn how decisions are made,” Collins Smith said. “Understand whom they affect. Make your voice heard and listen to others.”
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell was introduced as a surprise special guest and also addressed the crowd before Abrams’ conversation. Bell, who said he attended Harris-Stowe for one semester before transferring, spoke about the importance of voting and political participation.
Bell pointed to Ferguson as an example of how increased voter participation can affect local government. He recalled low voter turnout in Ferguson before the 2014 uprising and the increase in participation that followed. He also credited Abrams with her work registering Georgians to vote.
While the conversation centered on serious issues, Bell brought some humor to the program after Abrams was mistakenly introduced as “Stacey Adams.”
“Now, just to clarify for some of you young folks, Stacy Adams are the shoes from back in the day. Stacey Abrams is the trailblazer,” Bell said.