Texas — Say My Name, Say Their Name: Kamala, Colin, Beyoncé, Kelly, Tina, and Willie Rally for Your Vote
By: Jessica Bolaños Vanegas | @FancyCapitalist. Written: Sat, October 26, 2024 | Houston, Texas. 🤘🏾
H-Town Energy: A Call to Action in the Heart of Houston
When I arrived at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas yesterday, I could feel it — a different kind of buzz in the air that only happens when something authentic is unfolding. The city of Houston had shown up and shown out for Kamala Harris’ rally, also dubbed the Kamala, Beyonce, and Willie Nelson concert. People of all ages and backgrounds were streaming into the venue. The line was so long before doors even opened at 3:00 PM. I’m grateful to my friend and content creator, Mila Buckley aka @TheHangyWoman on social media, for hooking it up with the link to apply for Press access. After submitting all the info needed to Kamala’s camp and the Secret Service and sharing all my socials, literally — social security included — I made the cut along with my husband and business partner.
Once inside, the whole evening felt more like a mix between a hip-hop club and a family reunion. H-Town’s Queen Bey: Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles, Willie Nelson, and Jessica Alba were just some of the familiar Texas faces gracing the stage. DJ Tryfe had the stadium “Jumpin-Jumpin” — and the ladies did not leave their men at home for this one.
You could feel the energy — with only 10 days left before the election, every moment mattered. Errr, matters. This was a rally for action, for change, and most of all, for survival. The stakes are high. Texas women are at risk, and this election can determine whether healthcare becomes accessible again or even more restricted.
The Issues at Hand — Healthcare and Abortion Rights in Texas
Some of the most powerful moments of the rally came when a group of doctors, women, and a couple took the stage throughout the evening to share their stories of survival — grueling accounts of medical complications during pregnancy. Their message was clear: access to reproductive healthcare is about more than choice — it’s about life and death.
In Texas, where maternal mortality rates are already some of the highest in the country, especially for women of color, restrictive anti-abortion laws make it harder for women to get the care they need. Many of these laws were passed under the Trump administration, and remain in effect today. Women are denied abortions even in cases where their health is at risk, putting their lives on the line and even causing deaths, leaving children behind without mothers and families devastated. It’s heartbreaking, it’s infuriating, and it’s preventable.
Kamala Harris reiterated that her administration will fight to reverse these harmful policies. Her platform emphasizes the need for accessible healthcare and reproductive rights, promising to protect every woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. In contrast, GOP leaders continue to double down on restrictions, endangering lives in the process. And proud of it — using religion as a crutch and bringing even more unnecessary shame to women, without addressing the reality of many of these decisions.
The Courage to Reconsider: Finding Strength in New Perspectives
Not everyone sees this the same way, though. Some voters still support anti-abortion policies because they believe in protecting life at all costs, or because their religious beliefs guide them without exception. Others may be wary of government involvement in personal healthcare decisions. These perspectives are valid, and it’s important to recognize the complexity behind them.
But as Adam Grant explains in Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, changing our minds isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of growth. Grant highlights acknowledging our opposing viewpoints, and then being open to thoughtful reconsideration, much like a scientific mindset. That’s the approach we all need to take in this election.
We can respect people’s beliefs while also presenting the reality: these laws are not just protecting life — they’re putting lives at risk.
In Harmony: Beyoncé, Kelly, and Tina on Voting and Freedom
Unity is a word that stood out at the rally. Houston’s own Beyoncé stood on stage, radiant as always, speaking about the importance of unity. Her voice steady and full of hope: “H-Tooooooown…”
“We all have a role to play to make this a reality. We’re all part of something much bigger, we must vote, and we need you.” — Beyoncé Knowles Carter
Speaking directly to “Houstonians from Third Ward, River Oaks, Sugarland, Alief, Memorial, Southwest side, North side aaaaall the way down to Mo City”. [Referring to Missouri City]
Kelly Rowland shared the same sentiment with a passionate call to action, urging the crowd to use their power at the polls:
“Houston you’ve already had a hand in creating Destiny [referring to Destiny’s Child] so do what you do and do this thing again, let’s go!” — @Kelly Rowland
And Mama Tina Knowles shared a deeply personal message as a woman about the future of our country:
“We cannot accept a country where our daughters and former generations and future granddaughters will no longer have the basic Freedom that I have lived with for most of my life.” — Tina Knowles
While Willie Nelson brought everyone together with music that made the stadium feel like one big family gathering. It was clear: no matter where we come from or what we believe, we all have a role to play in shaping the future.
From the Field to the Frontlines: Colin Allred’s Texas Game Plan
Texas Senate nominee Colin Allred’s speech was one of the highlights of the night. A former NFL player turned politician, he spoke about his journey and the need for leadership that listens. He had the stadium chanting more than once, “You gotta lose your job!” After stories like:
“Can you imagine having the privilege and the responsibility of representing our great state and a crisis hits our state? And you think, I need to go check out the Ritz Carlton in Cancun. You wouldn’t do it. I’ll tell you what if you did and you ran for office again, you gotta lose your job, that’s what’s gonna happen.” — Colin Allred
It was my first time hearing Colin Allred speak. I admit, as soon as I caught wind that Texas has a strong candidate ready to replace our current Senator, I was more than relieved and ready to vote for Colin. Yesterday was my first time hearing his journey from the NFL to Congress and he definitely reflects the kind of authentic leadership Texans need — resilient, reliable, and ready to deliver.
“We might have come here on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now. We’re all Texans, we’re all Americans.” — Colin Allred
Raised by a single mom (a teacher) and grounded in public service, Allred knows firsthand how access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunity can change lives. In Congress, he’s fought to lower prescription drug costs, expand job training programs, and ensure every Texan has access to affordable healthcare. His work capping insulin prices and supporting reproductive rights shows his commitment to solutions that help families thrive.
Allred believes Texas can lead the future with investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and education, ensuring that every community, rural and urban, benefits from economic growth. He offers a solutions-driven approach, proving he’s not afraid to show up when it matters.
His background — growing up in North Texas and working as a civil rights lawyer — resonates with voters looking for someone who understands the challenges of everyday life. And he’s not afraid to call out his opponent who he said hid in a supply closet during the insurrection on January 6th while Colin prepared to go back into Texas linebacker mode for the team.
The Senate race is critical. Ted Cruz has been a polarizing figure, known for skipping town during crises and aligning himself with divisive rhetoric. Texans deserve better, and Colin Allred offers a refreshing alternative.
Ay Teddy — You gotta lose your job! 😂
9 Days to Shape the Future
This election is about people. It’s about the women I heard speak at the rally, whose lives were nearly lost because of policies that don’t serve them. It’s about families trying to make ends meet, communities fighting for equality, and every Texan who wants a better future. Every American.
In Think Again, Adam Grant argues that persuasion is about inviting people to rethink, not forcing them to change. That’s what this moment is about. Whether you’ve been voting for years or you’re still unsure, it’s never too late to change your mind. Voting is your voice, your chance to say, “I care about the future.”
There are still a lot of undecided voters and voters who are conflicted about voting for “the lesser of two evils” as some have told me.
Together, We Decide the Future
We have nine days to decide the future of our country and our state. Leaders like Kamala Harris and Colin Allred are fighting for a better, more inclusive future. But they can’t do it alone. They need us to show up.
So, Houston…so Texas…let’s make the best of the choices we have. I feel your pains and I understand the urge to vote for a 3rd party so your vote isn’t forever tied to genocide or mass deportations or sexual assault or convicted felons — I get it. I hear you. Let’s be real with what people are talking about out here.
But we all know casting a vote for someone else this election season is almost like casting no vote at all. The way our politics and elections work in this country — we all know he, she, or they who has the most money to throw at Meta and Google and now AI for campaigning bash fests, has the most eyeballs for votes.
So let’s show up for our neighbors, our families, and ourselves. Every vote matters. Let’s make these last nine days count.
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Encourage your friends and family to vote.
Together, we can make a difference.
