I knew it could happen that Americans would re-elect Trump despite all his moral shortcomings and leadership failures. Even his fascist rhetoric didn’t dissuade enough people from casting their ballot in his favor and against her. Exit polls indicate that the majority actually voted for him because of the economy. But how exactly are his vague policy proposals good for the economy compared to her specific policies? Many said it was their fear of violent immigrants that tipped the scale in his favor when actual violence perpetrated by undocumented immigrants is rare. And some wanted to stop spending money on the war in Ukraine. Despite the actual strength of the economy, the rarity of immigrant violent crime, and the moral and strategic significance of supporting Ukraine, this election highlighted the fact that we have a gullible and uninformed electorate. And that needs to change. But this election also revealed something about the American people, particularly white people and Latinos.
Since all Americans care deeply about the economy and their personal safety, why is it that only black folks voted for Harris in overwhelming numbers? It’s not just because she is black, but because she addressed how she would help the economy, preserve reproductive health and freedom, stem gun violence, and address immigration. Despite that, more than half of white people and Latino men voted for the candidate who offered no solutions that would improve the economy, safeguard young women, or stem gun violence. They voted for the man who killed the comprehensive immigration bill so he could run on chaos at the border. They voted for the man who plans to round up and deport millions of people whom our economy relies on for their manual labor. Imagine how much food prices will rise if half the farm workers are deported because literally half are undocumented. Not to mention the price of gardening, housekeeping, and construction. And every educated person knows that tariffs raise prices for the consumer. So, with the exception of low information voters, I think something else was at play.
I think there are a lot of people in this country who simply couldn’t bring themselves to vote for a woman of color. Rather than admit to their racism and misogyny, they pointed to the high price of food and housing or their fear of “violent” immigrants. And then there are many others who are extremely uncomfortable with transgender issues and their demands for recognition and inclusion. They’d prefer to stuff these people back in the closet rather than learn to use gender neutral pronouns, build gender neutral public bathrooms, and figure out how to deal with athletic competitions moving forward. They understand nothing about how gender-affirming care is saving lives. And I hope no one actually believed that schools are performing sex change operations or that Harris promotes tax-payer funded sex change operations for prisoners!
To say I am disappointed in our nation because of the outcome of this election is an understatement. The land of the free is less free for women of childbearing age, public health and OBGYN doctors, parents of school age children, and transgender individuals. It is a more dangerous place for pregnant women, OBGYN doctors, undocumented immigrants and naturalized citizens, black males, transgender people, and anyone in public spaces. It’s certainly a more frustrating place for investigative journalists, educators, and scientists. The ability to educate the public on real issues has become close to impossible with the proliferation of corporate media more interested in garnering clicks for money than distributing the factual information that will help us make wise choices. It’s not surprising that some educators have taken to social media to provide medical information, financial tips or history and science lessons. The problem is that none of them are vetted. Helpful but inconvenient content can be minimized by the platform, and conspiracy-laced misinformation can spread without being fact-checked. Salacious lies spread much faster than boring but necessary truths.
In light of the election results, I’ve spent the last three days trying to process what just happened. I’ve posted my frustration on Facebook and Instagram, and I’ve responded to others who are terrified, angry, sad, frustrated, and hopeless. Many feel deeply betrayed while others are gloating in their victory and playing despicable pranks on blacks and female college students. There are some who just want to agree to disagree and remain friends. I’ve avoided the gloaters altogether. But I’ve responded to the deeply disappointed folks by encouraging self-care and trying to restore their fighting spirit. And I’ve also responded to the “we can still be friends” folks with a resounding response that it matters to me why you voted for him. If someone understood that their vote was going to harm others so they can purchase cheaper eggs, then we cannot be friends. In my book, friends must share fundamental values, and I value people over temporary things. I also value having a respectable and competent president who doesn’t spend his time insulting other people and threatening those who oppose him.
In my coming blogs, I plan to share my thoughts about ways to move forward. But for the next week I will continue to sit with my emotions, process them, and begin to develop a way to turn these lemons into lemonade for the people who share my love for humanity. For now, I take comfort in the scripture that says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7