Examining Online Post-Election Discourse Amongst Young Black Women

This study examines Black women's responses to Kamala Harris's defeat in the 2024 presidential election through analysis of TikTok discourse. Drawing on Black feminist theory, the research explores how Black women process electoral disappointment online while navigating expectations of political labor. Content analysis of TikTok videos reveals three key themes: strategic disengagement from advocacy roles, reclamation of emotional vulnerability against "Strong Black Woman" expectations, and prioritization of community building over national politics. These responses represent not political apathy but deliberate resistance against unreciprocated labor and marginalization within democratic processes. The findings demonstrate how digital platforms function as safe spaces where young Black women articulate political identities outside institutional structures. This research contributes to understanding intersectional political behavior by highlighting how stepping back can function as resistance against exploitative expectations. Policy implications include developing more sustainable political engagement models that recognize Black women's contributions without relying on their self-sacrifice.