Well. The country is in for another four years with the 45th president at the helm as the 47th president. Many people feel that he caused a lot of damage, turmoil and moral corruption while he was in office the first time. Yet, we are told that enough people voted for him in 2024 to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Many are jumping for joy. Flying their flags. Wearing their hats. And some are taunting those who had a different vision for the country.
Millions of struggling people believe and voted for a man with myriad controversies, allegations and a documented track record of favoring the wealthy. They believe their concerns about cost of living, immigration, education and more will be addressed, and they have no apparent regard for how marginalized groups might be further harmed. Meanwhile, millions who were demonized during the campaign are anticipating years of increased cruelty and disdain that will cause further damage to themselves, their families, friendships and communities.
Since the election, there has been no indication that the incoming administration plans to extend any olive branch to heal and unite the country. After years of constantly inferring that incredibly qualified Black people and other minorities in competitive positions were only “DEI” hires, he has nominated a slew of predominantly White people with extreme views and obscenely limited or no experience in the areas of the departments they would manage. This move is effectively two middle fingers to the approximately 68 million people who voted for Harris. The incoming 47th president seems to be confirming that knowledge, expertise, experience and seriousness don’t matter. Only he, his ego and his blind followers matter. All logic and other people are ignored. Completely.
This was no ordinary presidential election where people simply chose between ideologies for how to run the country. The “winning” side seems to believe that they should completely humiliate and dominate those they don’t agree with. And that doesn’t make for any type of genuine friendship, camaraderie or peaceful coexistence.
While the post-election blame game and fingerpointing continues, racial minorities and other people in marginalized and vulnerable groups are grappling with genuine fear of his agenda. The never-ending threat of getting rid of programs that help the sick, the poor, the disabled, and the young is ever present. And extremely wealthy people will make the decisions about what to cut. Meanwhile, there is a push in Oklahoma to force Bibles into classrooms, and several states have attempted to mandate displays of the Ten Commandments in schools.
Right now, the “United” States of America is an aspirational name for a country which is deeply fractured. People are wildly suspicious of each other. Some are absolutely intolerant of others with zero intention to listen to or learn anything from or about them. People are hearing different news, have different sets of facts, only hear one perspective and have no patience to hear anything else. Or they choose not to listen to any news at all.
Even people who all voted for Harris are so on edge that their relationships are strained — not because they disagree on who should have won, but their different ways of coping with the loss are not compatible.They are struggling to stay hopeful. Since the election, some have received racist text messages or dealt with taunts and jeers from gleeful MAGA supporters. In order to protect their mental health, some have resorted to cutting people out of their lives.
Instead of subjecting themselves to outright bullying and hostility, many who worry about possibly losing funding, needed programs and hard-fought rights are coming up with strategies to cope. Some will protest. Some will turn inward and take solace in prayer or other calming activities in intimate safe spaces. Faith leaders who believe in justice and tolerance are organizing special sessions and gatherings to shepherd people through what they know is a difficult time — especially for the historically marginalized. Some will express themselves through art. Some will gather in small groups and strategize on how to weather the anticipated financial hardships and social alienation. Some leaders of organizations will develop and implement programs and creative ways to sustain themselves if federal funding dwindles. Some city and state leaders are deeply thinking through how to keep constituents who live in their jurisdictions safe from hostile federal government policies.
The country needs deep healing. Bridges need to be mended. But it doesn’t seem like that will happen within the next four years or more. Yes, there will be individual people, individual communities that come together in spaces that are friendly to their views, but the fissure based on party affiliation is deep. The wounds are significant. And the person who “won” the election has shown zero concern for the harm that has been inflicted. In fact, everything about his actions so far indicates intent to continue harm.
As the 47th president and his administration cater to half of the country, the other half has no choice but to take care of itself. Coalitions are being built. Alliances are being formed. Those who believe in a multi-racial, multi-religious, gender-inclusive and tolerant nation where all can thrive will work together. And perhaps one day those who espouse segregation and division will find a way to shed their hatred and find humanity in others. One day the States of America will become one nation under all Gods and be “indivisible with liberty and justice for all” in order to truly be United.
