Mustafa Santiago Ali
Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali is the Executive Vice President of Conservation & Justice for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), former Interim Chief of Programs at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and Instructor at American University. He is the Founder and CEO of Revitalization Strategies. He also serves as a commissioner for The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS). He is an award-winning writer and poet focused on social justice. Dr. Ali is frequently seen on television, including appearances on MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, VICE, FUSE, BET, National Geographic, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and Democracy NOW! Mustafa is also a regular guest on Roland Martin Unfiltered, Black News Channel, Tavis Smiley Show, The Dean Obeidallah Show, and many others…
Editor's Note: This poem is the ninth in our Democracy and Peril Series. This series will highlight the threats and challenges to our Democracy using various genres including poems, interviews, short stories, and articles about political events.
**Debate Prep Blues**: Look, man, prepping for a debate is like homework. Trump ain't about to do no homework, especially when Kamala’s got her PhD in clapbacks.
**Spray Tan Scheduling**: Man, his spray tan appointments are critical. Ain’t no way he’s fitting a debate in between those touch-ups!
**Joke Game**: Kamala got jokes that land every time. Trump knows his joke game is weak, and he can't handle the comedic competition.
**Memorization Mishap**: He can’t memorize his own speeches, let alone rebuttals. Kamala got a memory like Big Mama; she ain't forgetting nothing.
**Stage Presence Paranoia**: Kamala walks on stage like she owns it. Trump’s scared her confidence might overshadow his whole vibe.
**Fact Aversion**: Facts make him break out in hives. Kamala gonna bring so many facts, he'll need an EpiPen on standby.
**Charisma Clash**: Kamala got that natural charisma. Trump knows he can’t fake that level of authenticity.
**Real Talk**: Kamala’s all about that real talk, and Trump’s allergic to anything real. It’s a health risk, y’all!
**Policy Confusion**: Man, Kamala gonna be talking policy, and Trump still trying to figure out if “policy” is a new golf term.
**Audience Interaction**: Kamala connects with people. Trump’s worried she might win over his own supporters right in front of him.
#KamalaHarris2024 #DemVoice1