Guest Opinion: The beginning of a new chapter

  • by Justice Horn
  • Wednesday January 15, 2025
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Justice Horn. Photo: Courtesy Justice Horn
Justice Horn. Photo: Courtesy Justice Horn

Today, as we stand at the dawn of a new era, we are called not just to resist but also to rise. As Donald Trump takes office as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, January 20, we face a harsh reality: the challenges ahead for Black, LGBTQ+, young, and marginalized people are greater than ever, but let us not be swayed by fear or uncertainty. It's time to call upon the strength, resilience, and unity that has guided us through the darkest of times.

With Republicans in control of the White House, Congress, and the judiciary, we are confronted with a government determined to dismantle the progress our ancestors fought to achieve, but this is no time to retreat. This is a rallying cry to build stronger alliances at the local levels where our power can still shape the course of history. Those who seek to oppress us want us divided, but we cannot let that happen.

We must focus on finding fair-minded allies who will fight alongside us for racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and the dignity of all people. While the federal government may be hostile, local and state governments are where we can make the most immediate, tangible impact. We must engage with leaders who share our vision for a just society and advocate for policies that directly affect our lives — on health care, housing, and education.

We cannot wait for Washington to act. Our cities, counties, and states are where we can influence change, and with the right alliances, we can protect our communities from the damage a Trump-led administration will inflict.

Here in Missouri, I understand the fears of those of us who live at the intersection of multiple marginalized communities. As a Black gay young man, I fight daily not only for my survival, but for my right to be seen, heard, and respected. Under this new federal administration, the challenges will undoubtedly intensify, especially in a state where conservative forces already dominate, but fear will not paralyze us. We are fighters. We have faced discrimination, violence, and systemic exclusion, but we have always fought for our place in the world — and we will continue to do so.

Building alliances with allies who stand in solidarity with our struggles will be key. These are the local elected leaders who can enact protections against discrimination, pass policies that safeguard our health and safety, and create sanctuaries for our most vulnerable communities. We are not powerless, we are the descendants of the resilient, the bold, and the unwavering.

We must draw on the strength of our ancestors, who faced the unimaginable — enslavement, segregation, and systemic violence — and yet they fought. They resisted, created, built, and even dreamed. Today, we carry that legacy. We are the embodiment of their resilience. Now, we must build new models of resiliency — communities rooted in care, mutual aid, and strength. We need systems that ensure our survival and growth, regardless of the forces that seek to crush us in 2025. This isn't just about surviving; it's about building the infrastructure of our future — accessible health care, safe housing, quality education, and equitable jobs. We must protect and uplift our most vulnerable: our elders, our children, our queer and trans siblings, and our minority communities.

Yet, in the face of this fear, there is also hope that we as a people will still have the power to resist, organize, and demand accountability from those who seek to undo progress. The federal government may have a new face, but the power of the people is eternal. We must remain vigilant, loud, and unyielding. We cannot afford to be passive spectators in this fight. Every victory will be hard earned, every right we hold dear is now in jeopardy, and it is up to us to defend it.

So, I leave you with this: As we watch Trump take office, remember that this is not the end. It is the beginning of a new chapter. The road ahead will be long, and the battle will be hard, but we are not alone. Together, we will rise.

This is a call to action. A call to rise, a call to organize, and a call to win.

Justice Horn is an activist and a proud Missouri resident, serving as the highest-ranking member of Gen Z in the Kansas City region as a Jackson County Plan Commissioner. A trailblazer for his generation, he embodies the diverse future of our society — Black, Native, White, Polynesian, and openly gay — standing as a powerful advocate for progress in Missouri.

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