Young women of color are consistently involved politically, leading those around them in civic dialogue, taking part in community services, voting, etc. However, this participation interferes with persistent obstacles that take away from their political self-efficacy. The issue here is not the lack of individual drive, it is the systemic barriers within the “double-bind” of both sexism and racism that hold these women back. This dynamic suggests a need to shift focus from individual “supply” issues and instead focus on the “demand” issue: persistent systemic hostility within our political system.

Running for office requires access to a strong financial network, making the current student debt crisis a political barrier. While women hold nearly two-thirds of all student loan debt, the weight falls hardest on women of color. Data shows that Black women carry the heaviest student debt burden. They have the highest average amount of student loan debt that is approximately $41,466. Additionally, the average Black woman’s student loan debt grows by 13% (interest) over the first 12 years of repayment, while the average White woman’s loans shrink by 28%.

When policy decisions focus on weakening student loan repayment protections, they are worsening a barrier that limits the political future of women of color leaders. Poor institutional support degrades self-efficacy which then leads to results where men are almost twice as likely as women to rate themselves as “very qualified” to run for office. This self-perception gap, stemming from years of gender and racial bias, can be reduced through support. However, there is not enough of that for women of color, many argue.

The recent political movement to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in education and government is a threat. These programs are important to create fair lines of recruitment and spaces that are culturally-inclusive. Removing these structures sends out a message that marginalized competence is unwelcome, increasing the pressure on young women of color to constantly work harder to prove their capabilities.

To ensure the political self-belief of young women of color matches their impressive political action, more investments can be placed in systemic repair by targeting the root issues and barriers: defending student loan protections, fighting for equity initiatives, and contributing politically to share these important messages. Acknowledging that the problem lies in the system, not the person, is the most important step toward ensuring their self-belief matches their impressive civic action.