An Election That Retorred My Hope in Humanity and in America
Former Texas State Representative Helen Giddings reflects on the power of voters, the importance of representation, and an election that renewed her faith in American democracy.
In a deeply personal reflection, former Texas State Representative Helen Giddings examines the political and social challenges that tested her faith in America. From attacks on diversity and inclusion to concerns about the preservation of Black history, Giddings shares how an election renewed her confidence in the power of ordinary Americans to defend democracy, embrace representation, and build a more hopeful future for generations to come.
By Helen Giddings
There are moments when something happens that reminds us who we are, what we stand for, and what we are capable of becoming. For me, this election was one of those moments. And it was deeply personal.
I had become increasingly troubled about the direction of our country. My concerns went beyond political disagreements or differences in ideology. Over my career as an elected official, I worked with anyone who wanted to get something done. What was troubling to me was what seemed to be a growing acceptance of behavior and rhetoric that diminish our humanity. Perhaps most troubling was the deafening silence of so many people who, in the past, would have spoken out against such behavior.
I know good and decent people who seemed to have little to say about what was happening in our country. Everyone seemed frightened. More than one told me…it is best to keep your head down until it passes. I found myself wondering: Where were the voices of people who believe in decency, respect, fairness, and treating others with dignity? When did silence become an acceptable response to conduct that should trouble our collective conscience? When did we become so comfortable with cruelty? Will my grandchildren and my great grandchildren have fewer opportunities and less freedom than I have today?
I was equally troubled by the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and the broader retreat from our commitment to a more inclusive society. The efforts to reshape how our history is presented, including the controversies surrounding the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., are particularly disturbing.
African Americans have a history that must be told truthfully and completely. Our ancestors did not come to this country as voluntary immigrants seeking a better life. They were forcibly brought here, stripped of their freedom, and subjected to generations of enslavement. This was not involuntary immigration. Indeed it was slavery. Yet their contributions, resilience, ingenuity, and determination helped build this nation. We cannot understand America without understanding that history. That is why I worked so hard to get the Texas African American History Memorial on the grounds of the Texas Capitol.
Against this backdrop, I found myself wondering whether the values I have spent much of my life working to advance were losing ground. I wondered whether enough people still believed in fairness, equal opportunity, respect for others, and the fundamental promise of democracy.
And then came the election.
What an extraordinary demonstration of the power of the people! The victories were remarkable, including the election of Black governors and in Texas Democrats capturing every statewide elected office where they had held none for more than 20 years. And again, in Texas history was made with a Hispanic Female Governor…..an Anglo Female Lt. Governor…..and the likelihood of the first female and first African American Speaker of The Texas House. Less than 5 Blacks have served as governor in this country and in 2027 there will be five serving at the same time. That is 10% of governors.
But I want to be clear about something: It was not simply who won these elections that restored my hope. I was just as happy about “they’ who voted as about “they” who won. It was what the results represented. Having said that, I worked very hard for some of the candidates who won. At the end of the day, It was the realization that America seemed to have found its voice again. People were speaking. People were participating. People were demonstrating that they had not abandoned the values that make this country worth believing in.
For me, this was something much larger than politics. It was about the future. I want to believe that my grandchildren, and the generations who follow them, will inherit a country filled with opportunities and possibilities. I want them to live in a nation where their dreams are not limited by their race or gender, where their contributions are valued, where their history is respected, and where their opportunities are determined by their abilities and aspirations.
I have spent decades in public service and have had the privilege of witnessing extraordinary progress. I know that progress is neither permanent nor guaranteed. It requires people who are willing to stand up, speak out, participate, and refuse to be silent when fundamental values are threatened. Edmund Burke may have said it best, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (people) to do nothing”.
I do not believe one election resolves all our challenges. There is still much work to do. But I left this election with something I desperately needed: a renewed sense of faith in the American people and in the possibilities of this country.
Perhaps the greatest lesson of this election is that silence does not have to be the final word.
America found its voice. And in hearing that voice, I found hope for the future and faith in our collective humanity again.
Helen Giddings
Giddings served in the Texas House for 26 years, She is an entrepreneur and author of the newly released book. When There Was No Chair.
Related
Don't miss out!
Get our original, on-the-ground reports from the DFW area three times per week!
Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in. Please visit My Account to manage your account.
Support Our Work
Please support credible, community-based Black journalism.
An Election That Retorred My Hope in Humanity and in America
Share this:
Overview:
In a deeply personal reflection, former Texas State Representative Helen Giddings examines the political and social challenges that tested her faith in America. From attacks on diversity and inclusion to concerns about the preservation of Black history, Giddings shares how an election renewed her confidence in the power of ordinary Americans to defend democracy, embrace representation, and build a more hopeful future for generations to come.
By Helen Giddings
There are moments when something happens that reminds us who we are, what we stand for, and what we are capable of becoming. For me, this election was one of those moments. And it was deeply personal.
I had become increasingly troubled about the direction of our country. My concerns went beyond political disagreements or differences in ideology. Over my career as an elected official, I worked with anyone who wanted to get something done. What was troubling to me was what seemed to be a growing acceptance of behavior and rhetoric that diminish our humanity. Perhaps most troubling was the deafening silence of so many people who, in the past, would have spoken out against such behavior.
I know good and decent people who seemed to have little to say about what was happening in our country. Everyone seemed frightened. More than one told me…it is best to keep your head down until it passes. I found myself wondering: Where were the voices of people who believe in decency, respect, fairness, and treating others with dignity? When did silence become an acceptable response to conduct that should trouble our collective conscience? When did we become so comfortable with cruelty? Will my grandchildren and my great grandchildren have fewer opportunities and less freedom than I have today?
I was equally troubled by the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and the broader retreat from our commitment to a more inclusive society. The efforts to reshape how our history is presented, including the controversies surrounding the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., are particularly disturbing.
African Americans have a history that must be told truthfully and completely. Our ancestors did not come to this country as voluntary immigrants seeking a better life. They were forcibly brought here, stripped of their freedom, and subjected to generations of enslavement. This was not involuntary immigration. Indeed it was slavery. Yet their contributions, resilience, ingenuity, and determination helped build this nation. We cannot understand America without understanding that history. That is why I worked so hard to get the Texas African American History Memorial on the grounds of the Texas Capitol.
Against this backdrop, I found myself wondering whether the values I have spent much of my life working to advance were losing ground. I wondered whether enough people still believed in fairness, equal opportunity, respect for others, and the fundamental promise of democracy.
And then came the election.
What an extraordinary demonstration of the power of the people! The victories were remarkable, including the election of Black governors and in Texas Democrats capturing every statewide elected office where they had held none for more than 20 years. And again, in Texas history was made with a Hispanic Female Governor…..an Anglo Female Lt. Governor…..and the likelihood of the first female and first African American Speaker of The Texas House. Less than 5 Blacks have served as governor in this country and in 2027 there will be five serving at the same time. That is 10% of governors.
But I want to be clear about something: It was not simply who won these elections that restored my hope. I was just as happy about “they’ who voted as about “they” who won. It was what the results represented. Having said that, I worked very hard for some of the candidates who won. At the end of the day, It was the realization that America seemed to have found its voice again. People were speaking. People were participating. People were demonstrating that they had not abandoned the values that make this country worth believing in.
For me, this was something much larger than politics. It was about the future. I want to believe that my grandchildren, and the generations who follow them, will inherit a country filled with opportunities and possibilities. I want them to live in a nation where their dreams are not limited by their race or gender, where their contributions are valued, where their history is respected, and where their opportunities are determined by their abilities and aspirations.
I have spent decades in public service and have had the privilege of witnessing extraordinary progress. I know that progress is neither permanent nor guaranteed. It requires people who are willing to stand up, speak out, participate, and refuse to be silent when fundamental values are threatened. Edmund Burke may have said it best, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (people) to do nothing”.
I do not believe one election resolves all our challenges. There is still much work to do. But I left this election with something I desperately needed: a renewed sense of faith in the American people and in the possibilities of this country.
Perhaps the greatest lesson of this election is that silence does not have to be the final word.
America found its voice. And in hearing that voice, I found hope for the future and faith in our collective humanity again.
Giddings served in the Texas House for 26 years, She is an entrepreneur and author of the newly released book. When There Was No Chair.
Related