The presidential election results left many of us shell-shocked. The polling didn’t predict this. Most of the pundits didn’t see it coming either. But here we are. Instead of building on the achievements and success of the Biden administration, we may be looking at a prolonged struggle to hold on to the rights and freedoms that we’ve been entitled to as Americans for years. We don’t want to go back, but now it appears that someone is about to take us for a ride. This won’t be the first time that a president has tried to reroute the pace of progress.

Our leaders have fought this fight before and are ready for the battle. Civil rights activist and founder and president of the National Action Network Al Sharpton issued a statement yesterday, a call to action for Americans to stand against the harmful policies Donald Trump is expected to impose as he prepares for a return to the White House.

“We already know what Donald Trump’s agenda aims to do, which is why we must channel our momentum into fighting back against his destructive policies. He and JD Vance want to turn back the clock to deliver an America that will make the Jim Crow era pale in comparison. He aims to wash away the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors. He will continue to pit Americans against one another, demonize Black and Brown communities and turn immigrants into scapegoats for their own personal gain,” he said. “Though we may be down, we are not defeated. We will continue to organize. We will continue to speak out. We will continue to resist any agenda that tries to take us backward.”

The reverend is right, we have to keep fighting, even if it looks like the odds are against us.

In retrospect, Harris had several obstacles in her campaign that proved formidable. First, she had just a few months to piece together a campaign machine, while her opponent has essentially been running for office for the past four years. Second, she had to reinvigorate the Democratic base, that was lackluster after a subpar debate performance from Joe Biden. Another obstacle was more daunting, and probably won’t show up when people are asked why they didn’t support her – gender bias.

The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a part of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, has something to say about that. The center’s mission is to promote understanding about the role of women in politics, enhance women’s influence in public life and expand the diversity of women in government.

“Kamala Harris’ candidacy exemplified a good deal of what our research tells us about women’s advantages as candidates and officeholders. She was a formidable fundraiser. She connected with voters on issues important to her and to them. Her identity provided her with unique perspectives on overlooked issues,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, this contest also exemplified research on the obstacles women face when running for office, chief among them the unequal expectations placed upon women, and women of color in particular, who run for office. The day will come when America elects a woman president. In the meantime, we continue to celebrate the progress that has carried us to this moment.”

In the coming months, grassroots organizations, civil rights advocates and community leaders are likely to mobilize around the issues central to Harris’ campaign, amplifying their message and urging citizens to be vigilant. In her concession speech, Harris referenced her refrain, “When we fight, we win,” adding that sometimes the fight takes longer than you might’ve thought.

“This is not a time to throw up our hands, this is a time to roll up our sleeves,” Harris said. “This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.”