No, this is not a joke or a drill. No, I’m not a stan. Uncertain times just call for uncertain measures.

Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, aka Cardi B, would not necessarily be the worst option for President of the United States. In fact, she might just be right up there, battling with the best of the Bidens and the Sanders’ and the Warren – well, not her anymore.

It’s not as asinine a notion as one would immediately think. B’s always been active when it comes to political commentary and speaking up about the failings of the government. And she’d be strutting into the race armed with an impressive knowledge of the American political system, governance, and the history of the office she’d be running for. She’s even taken down conservative political commentators like Tomi Lahren and Mindy Robinson. And focusing on the faults of the opposition instead of championing your own beliefs, isn’t that what being a Democrat is all about?

Yes, B has a tendency to run her mouth on occasion. But so do many other world leaders. And being outspoken is definitely an important skill to have to rep for an entire nation. Also, imagine how entertaining it would be to have B in long french-tip nails and a leopard-print pantsuit, going “awhff” and expertly shutting down jabs in a Presidential Debate. Her ability to handle critique is evidenced by her entire discography.

Okay, B doesn’t necessarily have the “image” that you’d expect of a world leader. She joined a gang when she was 16 and started stripping when she was 19. And those acts are right below Nixon’s Watergate and Clinton’s Interngate. However, she has the kind of “started from the bottom” image that could easily pull in large crowds of working class and less financially stable voters. Her life spent trying to escape poverty and struggling to rise above her upbringing gives her an inspirational storyline, the kind they usually make cheesy biopics out of. She knows what working class Americans want, having spoken up about minimum wage, student debt, and even *gasp*, climate change. Although, I don’t think there’s much that can be done about her views of the poh-leeceses.

Fine, B has quite the scandalous relationship with profanity and a general lack of “sophistication” when she speaks. But…actually, no, that might be a problem.

The biggest thing standing in B’s way would be a general lack of acceptance. The American public would be largely unwilling to accept the fact that the woman who turned the coronavirus into a viral (pun unintended) meme and hit song could ever be worthy of office. That is, the part of the American public that even has a goddamn clue who she is. But, keep in mind, it’s that influence that got her video rant about the Coronavirus over 27 million views (and counting), as opposed to the daily White House live updates that garner over 100,000 views at best. If anyone can take us through the Coronavirus, it just might be Cardi B. Try not to let that scare you.

The presidential campaign is, when it comes down to it, a popularity contest. And, with her over 61 million Instagram followers, 10 million Twitter followers, and 12 million subscribers on YouTube, B easily outpaces most of her competition in terms of following and clout. The TYLT even ran a poll ascertaining whether she should run, and almost 27% voters agreed that she should give it a shot (73% voters did think that she should “stick to music,” but we won’t talk about that).

She’s committed to promoting political awareness among the lesser privileged and the youth of America, both her biggest markets should she decide to run. She’s considered a modern musical icon and would be able to bring a lot of young voters to the booths, more than the current candidates, most of whom classify strictly as “old, white, passé.” She’s also bilingual and has Dominican and Trinidadian heritage, which would garner the votes of the immigrant population, already frustrated with having to potentially use their spare toilet paper to fortify the Wall.

Her mere presence would shift the narrative from “Could a woman be President?” to “Could Cardi B be President?” And once you realize that she, possibly, maybe, surprisingly, stands a chance, the sexist conversation would grind to a halt. She has the relatability of a Warren, the ubiquitous reach of a Clinton, and, mind you, the support and friendship of one Bernie Sanders, who she’s had political discussions with. In fact, People for Bernie even created a mock campaign sign for her, ensuring her the votes of the Bernie Bros.

What separates B from her celebrity contemporaries is that she doesn’t simply try to be a part of the political conversation because she feels like she needs to. She tries because she wants to. She truly cares about her country and its governance and shows a desire to grow and work on her flaws. Behind all the “okurrr” and “awhn” toting, there’s a semblance of brilliance. You just have to look deep… no, deeper, beyond the ample bosom and illegal butt injections.

But B’s practical. She’s spoken about her political aspirations in the past, but is smart enough to know that her lack of a college education could be a detriment. She’s mentioned how she wants to go back to school, pick up some knowledge points, and then start a political career by running for Congress. Now if only everyone had the foresight to work their way up to the big leagues…

No matter what you (and everyone else) think and what you (and everyone else) say, you can’t deny, there’s a certain charisma to B’s cadence. Like a true millennial influencer, she draws you in and convinces you to at least give what she’s selling a chance. She may be a little too raw for such high aspirations at present (and a tad bit late for the 2020 run), but one image makeover and artful montage later, she just might be what we need to…make America great again (I apologize).

But what do I know? I’m from India, it’s not like I can vote. Maybe I’ll just leave it to the American population to decide whether they want to vote for a former reality TV star with a lack of social tact. Oh, wait…

Ahad Sanwari is a graduate student in NYU’s Magazine and Digital Storytelling program.

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Since announcing her plan to run for president in 2020, Kamala Harris has gained nationwide attention, particularly among black women voters.

“As a black women, and also as a biracial black women, looking at her there is so much that I identify with,” said Natalie Johnson, an associate producer at MSNBC who has long been following Harris’s journey. “I think she could really shake things up, and she is just a strong candidate.”

As a group, black women voters are widely predicted to be the most targeted demographic for Democratic hopefuls in the 2020 elections. As a black woman herself, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which the oldest black sorority in America, Harris would appear to have a unique edge over other candidates. Yet, black women as a group are far from monolithic and have a diverse range of political opinions and priorities.

“As a black female, I am extremely proud that we are in a place and time in our country, and in a moment where a woman of color is able to say I am going to run for the President of the United States,” said Monica Johnson,  an Atlanta writer and founder of Maj Experts. “But we’re not a monolithic group, and so you have people saying ‘I’m not voting for her just because she’s black.’”

Despite this, many black women have been celebrating Harris’s announcement of candidacy—including those who are still deciding who to vote for.

“I won’t say I’m going to vote XYZ, because it’s too early and I don’t know who all my choices will be,” said Monica Johnson. “But it doesn’t take away from how important, historically, this moment is for women and women of color.”

If Kamala Harris were to win the presidential race in 2020, she would be breaking through several glass ceilings. Not only would she be the first woman president of the United States, but she would also be the first black woman president as well as the first Asian president. For many, her campaign is a beacon of hope for the future minority women in politics.

“Can you imagine if she was president, and a whole generation of younger black girls in this country only knew that the president of the United States was another black woman, or another woman of color?” said Natalie Johnson. “What a different world that would be to live in.”

One group that has been particularly vocal about their support for Harris has been her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters, who have continued to show their support on Twitter and other social media platforms. NAACP Vice President Jacqueline Labayne not only shares Harris’s home state of California, but is also in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. For her, Harris was not only an idol while growing up, but was also one of her inspirations for joining the sorority.

“There has definitely been celebration [within Alpha Kappa Alpha],” said Labayne. “I think everyone is really excited, and social media has been going crazy. I’m proud to be a part of such an amazing organization, to where we have a hopeful presidential nominee.”  

Despite vocal support from many, Harris faces a tough road ahead. In an opinion piece for the Guardian, criminal justice professor Shanita Hubbard expressed skepticism about Harris, and urged readers not to assume that Harris will automatically have the support of black women. Like many others, Hubbard voiced concerns over Harris’s history as a criminal prosecutor, and questioned how her work may have contributed to the systematic harm against the black community.

“You might have some early momentum, but it does not mean that anyone is a shoe in.” said Dr. Sharon D. Allison-Ottey of Maryland, who is happy about Harris’s initial announcement but waiting to consider all of the candidates before making a final decision. “It is not a given because she is an African American female, that all African Americans should vote for her.

However, there is one major factor in the 2020 election that has proven to be particularly unifying for the black community: Trump. According to a poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 92% of African Americans disapprove of the current president. In a time when the midterm elections saw the most diverse results ever, and with women like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez winning upset victories, this could be Harris’s chance to make history.

“Regardless of the outcome, I wish her well,” said Monica Johnson “But regardless of the outcome, she has still done something that is remarkable and will be noted in the history books at some point.”

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Hillary Clinton is said to be contemplating another presidential run in 2020. But young women, who were a majority of her voters in 2016, are not sure if they will support her.

“She will lose again,” said Mia Flanagan, 18, who said that she had seen the news about the potential run on Twitter and had hoped it was fake. “She will obviously lose again.”  

If Clinton does decide to run, 2020 would be her third presidential bid. In 2008, she campaigned against Barack Obama, losing in the primaries. In 2016, she lost in the general election to Donald Trump, despite winning the popular vote, following a campaign marred by scandals.

Many of the women spoken to said that they thought a stronger Democratic candidate would be needed in the 2020 election. It is expected that President Donald Trump will run for re-election in 2020, especially following a pledge of support from the Republican National Committee. As of now, there are no other obvious Republican candidates.

“It’ll be the same chase [as 2016] again, where we had decent candidates up against Hillary,” said Rosa Miranda, 21. “She came through – and she was not my favorite – and she came up against Trump, and Trump got her. I’d rather her not run.”

There was also a concern that Clinton would have enough support to win the primary, against candidates such as Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Elizabeth Warren, but that she would again lose in the general election.

“I think if Hillary runs again, none of those other Democrats are going to be able to stand a chance,” said Miranda. “I don’t know why she keeps winning [primaries], but she’s going to, and then the Republicans are going to win again.”

Flanagan thought the opposite – that Clinton would lose in the primaries, leaving the field wide-open for another Democratic candidate.

“She’ll lose again,” said Flanagan. “Judging by her opponents in the first election and the way that all went down, it doesn’t look good for her, especially with everyone else running.”

Despite her reservations about Clinton, Flanagan was also hesitant to support any other Democratic candidate, as was her friend Maddie Janz, 18.

“I’ve heard some weird stuff about [Kamala Harris],” said Flanagan. “When she first came out about her candidacy I was like ‘Oh, this is great.’ And then I was like ‘Oh, her policies…’” Harris has caught some pushback for her record as a prosecutor, with some saying that her history doesn’t match her persona as a progressive candidate.

Janz hoped that others, including Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden, who are expected to announce 2020 campaigns, wouldn’t run.

“That’s not happening,” said Janz, about the possibility of Biden running. “I won’t allow it. Please don’t.”

While they were hesitant about the other candidates, both Flanagan and Janz said that they would rather support them than Clinton.

“I just can’t believe that she’s willing to put herself through that again,” said Janz. “I don’t think she should run.”

Ramirez agreed. “I would rather her not run.”

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A year into Donald Trump’s presidency, New Yorkers can’t seem to agree on whether the presidency is a nightmare or a cause for celebration.

“Unbelievable, he couldn’t do better,” said Tony Alaio, from Brooklyn. “The stock market’s up 26,000, women’s unemployment is at a 27-year high, black unemployment at a 17-year high, we have a conservative in the Supreme Court.”

But New York City is considered a haven for the left, so you don’t have to travel far to get a different opinion.

“He’s a dictator, because he puts hate in people,” said Lilly Rivers, a Puerto Rican native who has lived in Staten Island for more than 40 years. “He’s a piece of shit, he belongs to jail. If I find him I’m gonna put a piece of masking tape on his boca. (mouth) He’s got a cancer in the mouth.”

While many New Yorkers believe Trump’s way of communicating is wrong, his supporters see his lack of tact as pure candor. They even supported him in the thick of the so-called “shithole” controversy.

Marsha Hodgson in Staten Island, New York. Photo Credit: Stella Levantesi.

“So he has a big mouth, but he says what’s on his mind,” said Marsha Hodgson of Staten Island. “I’m happy, Trump’s trying to do something that’s better than what we’ve had for decades and I actually believe in him now.”

But Will Davis, 25, also of Staten Island, said Trump supporters are a bigger problem than Trump.

“As long as they (Trump’s supporters) keep feeding into his bullshit we’re gonna be stuck dealing with him,” said Davis.

For the first time in American history, U.S. politics has been dictated by a president’s appetite to tweet. From asserting his “very stable genius” remark as a counter reply to recent doubts raised about his sanity, to bragging about how big his “nuclear button” was compared to that of North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Trump seems to keep coming up with ways to both entertain and frustrate Americans, one tweet at a time.

Rachid Barry (left) and his friend Cinthia Traore in the Financial District, New York. Photo Credit: Stella Levantesi.

“I don’t think this guy’s fit for the office of the presidency,” said Rachid Barry, a West African living in East Florida. “I believe maybe four to five people left his administration in a year, that already shows that something’s not right.”

Others blame the media.

“The problem’s the media who’s divisive,” said Alaio. “They have their own global agenda, not in the interest of the American people.”

Some New Yorkers have had enough and denounce both parties.

Brian Tanner, New Yorker waiting for a train at Whitehall St station, New York. Photo Credit: Stella Levantesi.

“I think it’s an embarrassment,” said Brian Tanner of Manhattan, “And the reaction of the public on the Republican side is even more an embarrassment, their lack of back bone or spine to stand up to Trump. I’m also disappointed that no one on the left has emerged as a clear counterweight to everything he says. It seems kind of wishy washy and everyone’s disgusted, but there’s no real representation of an alternative.”

With 10 more months to go before the midterm elections, New Yorkers will each take a side in the battle, fighting or endorsing those tweets, and everything that lies beneath them.

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The inauguration of Donald Trump attracted supporters,protesters and people who just wanted to witness history.

Security lines stretched for a few blocks, dotted with the red hats with the eponymous “Make America Great Again” slogan. Many in the crowd carried Trump flags and wore Trump scarves.

“We are really excited to be here,” said Lisa Wisent, 56, of Hickory, North Carolina.

She said her community is known for furniture and hosiery manufacturing, but NAFTA, has hurt them.

“When NAFTA was signed, my husband lost his job, “she said. “He was in hosiery and everything went to Mexico. We have a lot of family in furniture, and a lot other furniture (manufacturing) left. It went overseas.”

As the crowds walked onto the Washington Monument lawn, which served as one of the giant screen viewing areas, small groups of people began to chant “Trump, Trump, Trump!”

But protestors came to watch the swearing in of the controversial 45th president too.

Celeste Stone, 42, from Detroit, Michigan, came as a private citizen to exercise her right to protest.

“I feel that Trump is only going to further divide our country,” she said. “I don’t feel that the people that are disenfranchised, that have voted for Trump are actually going to get what they want. So, I am out here for everyone.”

Attendees laid out their raincoats and blankets to sit on the lawn. Some looked up at the screen as the names of key government officials were announced.

“I just want to witness the inauguration of a new president,” said Kevin McCallum, 30, from Bethesda, Maryland. “It is not political for me. I am looking for a peaceful transition of power. That’s what’s important to me no matter who won the election. No matter who I voted for, I would want to be out here today to see the new administration. The system is more important to me than any one man or woman who wins office.”

In spite of the rain, the crowd remained quiet and calm as Trump took the oath of office. They remained relatively silent throughout his inaugural speech, but gave a loud cheer when he said:

“The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nation’s capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.
That all changes — starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you.”

Sylvia Wilk, 19, from New York City’s Lower East side came with her friends to witness the inauguration. Through tears she expressed safety concerns for her friends and family under a Trump administration. Photo Cora Cervantes

But as President Trump’s speech came to a close Sylvia Wilk, 19, from New York City’s Lower East Side, began to cry.

“I feel devastation and fear,” she said. “Fear for all the people that have lost so much protection and hope. I am thinking of my friends and everyone that is going to grow up seeing that face. It is heartbreaking.”

Attendance was overwhelmingly white, but there were a few people of color in the crowd who were Trump supporters.

Jorge Sosa, 40, from Charlottesville, Virginia arrived early in the morning to show support for the incoming Trump Administration Photo by Cora Cervantes.

“I am a Latino,” said Jorge Sosa, of Charlottesville, Virginia, and a native of Venezuela. I have made a good life for myself here. I consider myself a conservative because I believe in the government getting out of the way of the individual and allowing all people to succeed through their own efforts.”

As the crowd began to disperse students from Salinas Valley Dream Academy in California, who came to the nation’s capital as part of their class trip, made a unity circle and hugged one another.

“Right after the election, being a 100 Latino student group we were devastated, shocked, angry, and scared, but we decided to come,” said Ruben Pizarro, 40, the executive director of the academy. “We think this is the most important inauguration of their lifetime because it is really a call to action. There is a lot of work to be done.”

He looked over at a huddled group of students and said to them, “If you don’t like the way you feel right now, remember how you feel so that when you are tempted not to go to that city council meeting or not to vote you remember that this feeling isn’t worth it. You never want to be in this position again.”

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Thirty years ago, Saïd Rabie escaped the radical Islamist government of Iran. But he lost his sister, brother and many close friends he left behind. He said he is angry and can’t heal, haunted by their deaths and the sufferings his family and country has had to endure.

“In October 2009, my sister was in a camp, they shot 80 missiles to the camp, she and 23 of my friends got killed,” said Rabie, 47, of Las Vegas, Nevada. “Then my brother was put in jail for four years and then killed and my dad had a heart attack because of the torture and the pressure on all of these people.”

Yesterday morning thousands of people including Rabie, gathered on the Dag Hammerskjold Plaza across the street from the United Nations, to express their outrage with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, who was speaking at the United Nations.

Said Rabie’s sister, Nayere Rabie, died in a camp in Iran in October 2009. According to Rabie, she and 23 of his friends died because they represented a threat to the government. “They were a bunch of educated people who didn’t want to follow his definition of what democracy should be,” he said. Photo by Lisa Setyon

Rouhani, who is up for reelection, wants to stop the United States from blocking their bank transactions, which prevents Iran from doing financial transactions with other countries. He needs the UN to put pressure on the Obama administration. Since the United States and Iran do not have diplomatic relations,

Rouhani also signed the controversial nuclear deal with Iraq, that has fueled his enemies desire to remove him from office.

But the thousands of protesters did not want Rouhani, who they see as a ruthless dictator, to address the UN General Assembly.

“He shouldn’t be allowed in the UN,” said, Armahd Babaie, 58, of San Francisco, California. “He is the representative of a government, that has been sponsoring terrorism. I started my life here in 1976, I raised my family here. but I have always been a supporter of the resistance. So I am here today to make sure that everybody gets freedom, that the world comes together and fights against terrorism. They are the DNA of ISIS.”

The protest, which was organized by the Organization of Iranian American Communities, had protestors from all over the world, who traveled to New York City in order to denounce the lack of human rights under President Rouhani. With a population of more than 77 million, Iran still has one of the highest rate of executions in the world along with Saudi Arabia and China.

“They got killed because they don’t want to follow the government,” Rabie said. “Christians for example, they are going to force them to become Muslims or they will be captured and put in jail.”

Said Rabie escaped from Iran and emigrated to the United States 30 years ago. While he has managed to escape the radical Islamist government of Iran, his sister, his brother, his father and 23 of his friends were killed by Rouhani’s government. Photo By Lisa Setyon

This was the case of Saeed Abedini, an Iranian American Christian pastor who was put in jail in 2012 because of his faith.

“When I was in Rajaeeshar prison, every Wednesday, at 3 a.m., they took people for executions,” Abedini said to the protestors. “Last month, thousands got executed and killed for nothing, so we are here for the people that don’t have any voice.”

Halfway through the protest, a performance embodying the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in Iran was performed. It was followed by a speech by Sir Geoffrey Robertson, President of the United Nations Court for War Crimes in Sierra Leone.

“We call upon United Nations and its general assembly to reserve a seat for Iran that does not represent close religion, that does not represent inequality for women but represents freedom and justice for all Iranians, Roberstson said. “When we stand against injustice for black people in America, we are proud of a motto that says Black Lives Matter, but today, I submit to you that Iran Lives Matter.”

Thousands of protesters gathered at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, across the street from the United Nations, to express their anger with President Hassan Rouhani’s government and the United Nations inviting him. Photo by Lisa Setyon

The protesters wore leather jackets in honor of the victims and chanted “No to Rouhani, Yes to Human Rights.”

“I moved to America in 1977 right before the revolution,” Nada Nazabi, of Flint, Michigan said. “Look at my country now, look what’s going on in all Arab countries, look what’s going on with Saudi Arabia. Iran is the main problem all over the Middle East, that’s why we want him gone, we want the regime to change in Iran.”

Sheirill Fliley, 66, of Flint, Michigan was among the passionate participants. For Fliley, it was essential to look at her own journey to reach freedom.

“All my life, I fought for freedom” Fliley said. “As an African American in the South, growing up with a lot of prejudice, with a family working in the cotton fields and not being able to go to school until I was 14, we had to fight to make our voices heard. So I am here because I believe in freedom.”

It is the third time that Fliley attends the rally. She said she is a “firm believer of freedom” Fliley wanted to support the oppressed population of Iran. Photo by Lisa Setyon

According to the United States Department of State, the Iranian regime is still seen as the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism and the main cause of carnage in Syria, which has recently been described as the stepping stone for extremist violence.

Amnesty International has reported that  the Iranian government does not allow freedom of expression and anyone who advocates for human rights can be imprisoned, not given a fair trial, tortured and even killed.

For these reasons, many protesters remained unclear as to why the United Nations invited Rouhani to speak.

“If you know that his government supports terrorism, why do you invite them to come here?” Rabie said. “What is the policy of the United States? Sit with the terrorists and negotiate with them? I am shocked when I see that they are releasing billions of dollars for the nuclear deal. You think they would give the money to Iranian people? No. Iranian people, they get poorer and poorer every day.”

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“I’m very anxious and excited,” said Risa Levine, 52. “I even brought champagne to celebrate the announcement.”

Levine wore not only a pink t-shirt with Clinton’s likeness, but her jean jacket was sprinkled with Hillary buttons reading slogans like, “I’m a woman for Hillary” and “Hillary sent me”.

Levine of Manhattan was one of three supporters who stood patiently and excitedly snapping selfies. She was joined by Tim Dangora, 36, also of Manhattan. A tall man donning a Hillary baseball cap and patriotically colored, “Hillary for president” t-shirt he had just one simple statement to make.

“America deserves Hillary,” said Dangora.

According to a March 29th Pew Research Center Poll 59 percent of democrats say there is a “good chance” they will vote for Clinton.

While the Clinton opponents were not physically present, their message could be seen hung from stop lights and pasted randomly to public surfaces. An unknown group or individual placed anti-Clinton posters in the area surrounding One Pierrepoint Plaza early Sunday morning. The design included an unflattering greyscale portrait of Clinton surrounded by phrases such as “Don’t Say Entitled” “Don’t Say Secretive” and “Don’t Say Polarizing”.

Despite her star power Clinton remains a polarizing and sometimes controversial candidate and has been on the receiving end of criticism from politicians and citizens. Republicans were quick to lambaste Clinton after her official announcement calling her untrustworthy.

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