Beyond the Ballot: The Impact of Political Choices on Our Health, Safety, and Future

​Preface: Why We’re Talking About Politics on a Wellness Blog

At Bella’s Apothecary, we believe that wellness encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual health, all of which are deeply influenced by the world we live in. As a Black woman-owned business rooted in natural healing and empowerment, we see self-care as a revolutionary act that stands against the social and economic barriers our communities face daily.
Political choices affect our health, access to resources, economic stability, and sense of safety. These decisions determine our access to healthcare, influence the air we breathe, the safety of our neighborhoods, and shape our opportunities for generational growth. Policies impacting Black and Latino Americans—whether in healthcare, justice, or education—are inseparable from our well-being as individuals and as a community.
This article discusses why these choices matter, especially as marginalized communities navigate complex political realities. We recognize the power of voting and the importance of being informed as integral to self-care. Thriving requires more than just healthy skin; it necessitates a society that supports our right to wellness, justice, and opportunity.

To Black and Latino Voters Who Chose Trump:
​Now Let’s Face What This Means for Us All

Here we are. After a surprising turnout, Trump won the popular vote. Despite his controversial record, enough Black and Latino voters chose him to swing the tide, even as his policies have previously hit our communities hard. For many, this election felt like choosing between two unsatisfactory options. Kamala Harris is undeniably more qualified and educated than Trump—there’s no taking that away from her. But her record, particularly on criminal justice, has contributed to the oppression of Black men, and her career decisions reflect complex priorities.
Here’s a breakdown of what Trump’s policies mean for Black and Latino Americans and why the outcome of this election could impact our communities for years to come. Let’s also examine why Harris’s record left so many Black voters feeling conflicted.
1. Economic Policies That Don’t Have Our Backs
​Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 overwhelmingly benefited the wealthiest Americans, with 60% of the tax cuts’ benefits projected to go to the richest 20% by 2027. Associated Press Meanwhile, Trump’s administration added $1.9 trillion to the national debt, Associated Press a burden that could lead to cuts in public services Black and Latino families depend on, such as Medicaid, affordable housing, and education.

For Black and Latino Americans, who hold only about 3% of the nation’s wealth, these cuts widen the wealth gap, putting our economic future at risk. Trump’s economic policies focus on supporting those who already have wealth, while working-class families in our communities struggle to build generational stability.

2. The Reality of Low-Wage Job Growth
Under Trump, job growth was celebrated as a victory, but the jobs themselves tell a different story. Black and Latino Americans are consistently overrepresented in low-wage jobs, many without benefits or protections. During the pandemic, Latino unemployment rose to 18.9% in April 2020, while Black unemployment hit nearly 17%.
Associated Press
Despite his talk of boosting the economy, the job market for Black and Latino workers remains challenging. Many of the jobs that “came back” were unstable, lower-paying roles, far from creating the financial security our communities need.

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3. Criminal Justice and Immigration: Policies That Harm Our Communities 
​Trump’s First Step Act was a start, but it barely scratched the surface of the changes our justice system needs. His administration rolled back Obama-era reforms, favoring “tough on crime” rhetoric that has always disproportionately targeted Black and Latino communities.
On immigration, Trump’s policies were even more damaging. His administration implemented the Public Charge Rule to deter immigrants from using essential services, even considering denaturalization processes for immigrants who had already gained citizenship. Associated Press These policies tore Latino families apart with Zero Tolerance family separation, leaving over 5,500 children separated from their parents. Associated Press When the pandemic hit, Americans married to undocumented immigrants were barred from stimulus checks, affecting 1.7 million U.S. citizens married to undocumented spouses. Associated Press
4. Supreme Court Appointments with Lasting Consequences
​With Trump’s three Supreme Court appointments, we face a conservative majority that will shape critical issues for decades. The Court’s recent rulings, like Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021), have supported voting restrictions disproportionately impacting Black and Latino voters. Associated Press
These appointments will affect voting rights, affirmative action, and immigration, eroding civil rights protections for our communities. We’re now looking at a Supreme Court majority that’s not just temporary but will outlast multiple election cycles, influencing our ability to seek equal opportunities for generations.

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5. Maternal Health and Abortion Access: Black Women’s Lives Are at Stake
For Black women, maternal health is a serious issue. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Associated Press
The overturning of Roe v. Wade has left many without access to life-saving reproductive healthcare in cases of miscarriage and other complications.
​This isn’t just about choice—it’s about survival. Without access to necessary abortions, Black women face increased risks when severe pregnancy complications arise. For example, Josseli Barnica, a 28-year-old in Texas, lost her life when doctors delayed treating her miscarriage due to restrictive abortion laws, leading to a fatal infection. Associated Press For Black women, the overturning of Roe endangers lives in cases where prompt medical care is essential.

6. Healthcare and COVID-19: Our Communities at Greater Risk
​During the pandemic, we saw stark disparities in health outcomes, with Black and Latino Americans facing higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death. Despite this, Trump repeatedly attempted to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has provided millions of Black and Latino Americans with essential health coverage. Today, 19% of Latinos and 10.1% of Black Americans remain uninsured, compared to 6.3% of white Americans. Associated Press Without the ACA, many in our communities could lose healthcare, putting their lives and financial well-being at greater risk. Trump’s healthcare stance isn’t just a matter of policy; it’s about who has access to care and who doesn’t.

7. Education: Underfunded Schools and Barriers to Opportunity
The Trump administration’s approach to public education actively harmed Black and Latino students. Over his four years, Trump proposed $7.1 billion in cuts to public education, with a preference for diverting funds to voucher programs that primarily benefit wealthier, whiter communities. Latino and Black students are more likely to attend underfunded public schools, and Trump’s policies made it harder to access quality education. His administration did not address rising college costs or the disproportionate student debt burden carried by Black and Latino students, setting back their educational and financial progress.

8. Environmental Policies: The Cost to Our Health and Planet
As a business focused on natural products, we understand the importance of environmental policies that protect the air, water, and land our communities rely on. Trump’s administration took significant steps to roll back environmental regulations, which has severe consequences for both our planet and the health of Black and Latino communities.
Under Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) loosened over 100 environmental protections, including restrictions on air and water pollution and limits on emissions from factories (The New York Times). These rollbacks have direct impacts on our communities, as Black and Latino Americans are disproportionately likely to live in areas with high levels of pollution. For example, studies show that Black Americans are 1.5 times more likely to be exposed to particulate matter pollution than white Americans, which increases the risk of respiratory issues like asthma (American Lung Association).
The relaxed environmental protections also harm natural resources and the ecosystems that support medicinal plants and herbal ingredients, which are central to Bella’s Apothecary’s commitment to natural healing. By weakening environmental regulations, Trump’s policies threaten the quality of the natural ingredients we use and endanger our right to clean air, water, and soil – all of which are essential for a healthy, holistic life.

9. Economic Policies and Tariffs: Rising Costs for Natural and Imported Goods
Trump’s economic approach also includes the use of tariffs, particularly on goods from countries like China. While these tariffs are intended to protect American jobs, they often lead to increased costs on imported goods that impact Black and Latino communities—both as consumers and business owners. For small businesses like Bella’s Apothecary, higher tariffs on raw materials and packaging from international suppliers drive up operating costs, which can lead to higher prices for customers or challenges in maintaining sustainable sourcing.
Tariffs impact the cost of essential items in the skincare industry, including packaging, oils, herbs, and other raw materials commonly used in natural products. By making these goods more expensive, Trump’s policies place additional financial pressure on small businesses and consumers, disproportionately affecting those with limited income. For communities already facing economic challenges, these policies create yet another barrier to accessing affordable, natural products that support their health and wellness.

10. The Treatment of Haitian Refugees: A Crisis of Human Rights
Haitian migrants seeking refuge in the U.S. have faced particularly harsh treatment under Trump’s immigration policies, highlighting an ongoing pattern of anti-Blackness in U.S. immigration enforcement. Images and reports of Haitian asylum seekers being forcibly removed from camps and deported in large numbers have drawn international criticism (AP News). In recent years, thousands of Haitian refugees fleeing political instability, violence, and natural disasters in their home country have been met with detention, deportation, and abusive conditions upon arriving at the U.S. border.
Despite seeking asylum—a right recognized under international law—many Haitian migrants are denied entry and subjected to expedited deportation under policies like Title 42, which was originally enacted as a public health measure. Under this policy, Haitians and other Black immigrants have been disproportionately targeted, fueling criticism that immigration policies under Trump contribute to systemic racism within immigration enforcement.
The treatment of Haitian refugees reflects a larger trend of discrimination against Black immigrants, raising serious concerns for Black communities about the potential for future anti-immigration policies that lack humanity and compassion. These policies underscore the urgent need for reform to ensure that immigration laws are applied fairly and equitably, without perpetuating racial biases.
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11. LGBTQ+ Protections and the Black Community: An Overlooked Impact
Approximately 12% of Black adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+, a significantly higher percentage than other racial and ethnic groups (The Williams Institute). LGBTQ+ Black individuals face unique challenges, compounded by race and sexual orientation, as they are more likely to experience discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Under Trump, policies and rhetoric concerning LGBTQ+ protections raised concern within the community. Trump’s administration removed protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in areas like healthcare, employment, and education (Human Rights Campaign). Such rollbacks disproportionately affect Black LGBTQ+ individuals, who already navigate a complex intersection of systemic racial and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.
For a community that has fought hard for basic rights and safety, these policies can feel like a step backward, fostering an environment where discrimination is normalized. Reports show an increase in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals during Trump’s administration, with Black transgender women particularly vulnerable (FBI Hate Crime Statistics). Policies that enable or excuse discrimination leave many feeling unsafe, undoing years of progress toward equality and social acceptance.

In Closing: A Call for Reflection
If you voted for Trump this time around, it’s important to reflect on what that choice really means for our communities. Environmental, economic, healthcare, immigration, and civil rights policies under his administration don’t just impact headlines; they affect our health, safety, access to resources, and the opportunity to thrive in a supportive society.
In the end, our communities deserve leaders who recognize our struggles and work toward solutions that serve us. Moving forward, let’s stay informed, hold those in power accountable, and vote with our collective futures in mind. This is about more than today’s election—it’s about the long-term prosperity and well-being of Black and Latino Americans, including all identities within our communities.

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