Witnessing History: My Experience at the DNC
I had the immense pleasure to represent our region and attend the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. It was a proud and transformative experience for me.
The Hon. April Baskin
As a delegate elected to represent our community, I was surrounded by a diverse group of people who were all committed to moving our nation forward. The energy in United Center, which I can imagine rivaled the energy around the Bulls in the 90s, was palpable. Thousands of delegates, party leaders, and activists gathered in the Windy City to nominate our presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, and lay out our vision for the country.
The convention provided a unique opportunity to engage with fellow delegates from across our great nation, exchanging ideas and strategies to address the pressing issues facing our communities.
The workshops and panel discussions offered valuable insights into the party’s vision on key topics such as healthcare, common sense gun control, climate change, and social justice. As someone who is currently campaigning to become the first Black woman to represent Buffalo in the state senate, I was particularly inspired by the emphasis on unity and inclusivity. It is important to bring diverse voices to the forefront of the political process to talk about the issues that plague our community.
The most inspiring part of the convention was witnessing our Vice President, Kamala Harris, accept the nomination as the Democratic Party’s candidate for President of the United States. As I sat in my seat and watched as she delivered her powerful speech and accepted the nomination, I could not help but think about all the women who came before her.
As Rep. Maxine Waters pointed out during her speech on Monday night, this year marked the 60th anniversary of Fannie Lou Hamer’s fight for representation at the 1964 DNC. I also thought about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for a major party’s nomination for President of the United States. VP Harris, the first woman of color to serve as Vice President of the United States, embodies the same courage, resilience, and commitment to justice that defined Chisholm and Hamer in history. Her presence on the stage was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come in this country, and how these women paved the way for future generations.
The 2024 DNC was a powerful reminder of what we can do when we all come together. The vision for the future is clear. We are not going back; we simply cannot. We must fight for the values we hold dear to us, because when we fight, WE WIN!