“A threat to democracy”
“The end of the world”
“We’re not safe.”
You’ve probably heard these phrases countless times over this past month. On the morning of November 6th, The Associated Press called the presidential election in favor of former president Donald Trump, being declared the winner over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Republican Party won with 312 electoral votes and the popular vote, in addition to the majority in the Senate and House of Representatives. Expectedly, many Democrats are upset and angered by these results. Suicide rates and suicide hotline calls have skyrocketed since election day. For all the people in doubt, fear, or worry, Vice President Kamala Harris gives a hopeful and optimistic message in her concession speech. She sympathizes “To the young people watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed. But please know it’s going to be okay.”
Both Mississippi and Rankin County are known for their Republican dominance, but it is critical that we acknowledge those who dissent from the majority. At various points in your life, because political opinions are expressive of our beliefs on how human life should be organized, you will encounter moments where you have to choose: am I more attached to the people in my life, or the opinions I hold? This has happened to you, to me, and to everyone else we know. And it will happen again. There will be loved ones who you disagree with, and only you can choose what you love more. Sometimes you have to step back and think: “Who is right, here? Is there more I have to learn?” Regardless of whatever you choose, take every relationship as a learning opportunity. Everyone is going to think differently than you about something; no two people think exactly alike. That’s okay. It means you have the chance to reevaluate the significance of your opinions on your life and the lives of those around you.
As a writer and a human, I try to hold my biases away from everything that I do. I was unsure for the longest time on how to approach the topic of politics, especially in my writing. However, with the help of my dear friend (who assisted in guiding me while I wrote this paper), I eventually realized what I wanted to do- hiding my opinions and biases-was simply impossible. I pick a side. I believe one party is better than the other (though, we can all admit there is evil in both). We’ve all been thrown into a complicated world and asked to make difficult choices about what we believe is right and wrong.
So, no matter how you feel about the results of the election, no matter what political ideology you stand by, it’s going to be okay. We can all learn from this experience. Politics is about change. The country will survive. The world will keep spinning. We will wake up tomorrow the same as we have every other day.
