In light of the recent presidential election results, I felt compelled to write the following sentences. In short, it has been a rough campaign season for all. I'm sure that Tuesdays results are not what most people expected; they are certainly not what what everyone wanted either. With that said, it has come to my attention that many of our fellow citizenry are disheartened with the outcome. People who find themselves in this category feel that they need a safe space in order to vent or demonstrate in the streets in order to display their displeasure in a public manor. Which begs the question, what is the proper response concerning President-elect Donald Trump?
If you are a political junky like me the scene is all to familiar. Every four years on an evening in early November, we crowd our television screens and tune in to our most trusted media outlets - whether it be CBS, Fox, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, etc. - to watch the nation pick a new champion. The residents of the fifty states plus the District of Columbia report to their voting precincts and cast their ballots. Depending on the state or locality of the country you find yourself in, your ballot will look different in many regards. From ballot initiatives like amendment one [here in Florida] or municipal offices like school board, ballots vary by precinct location. But there is one commonality that always adorns every American's ballot from sea to shining sea: the offices of President and Vice President.
With that being said, every American who is of voting age and is registered to do so is eligible to vote for whom they want as their commander in chief. Now even though technically the results of the popular vote do not contribute to the eventual winner of the election - that work is left to the electors who are in the electoral college; a topic that can be the discussion of another article - this does not sway us from succumbing to our own ideological biases and who we want to win. In many cases, especially if you are like me, this propels you to do more than just vote for your candidate of choice, it often leads you to do more like volunteer your own precious time to help him or her win. You become invested by dedicating precious minutes and others resources to "ensure" that they are victorious come Election Day. We do all we can to get the desired outcome based on proven models of electoral success. However if there is one thing I have learned from almost two years of studying politics, is that elections are not a predictable science.
Furthermore, elections are partaken by people. And human nature in and of itself is not a measurable constant. It is incredibly difficult to predict how a group will react to certain existential information. Why do we think we can predict how people will vote if we cannot predict what our boss is going to tell us at work tomorrow. But it does not stop us from being invested in matters like campaigns and elections. A potentially potent and toxic atmosphere that is not for the faint of heart. Because what happens when your candidate for a position of leadership, an office that is elevated above life itself it would seem, does not win? Normally we as a species would just complain for a few days after and then just succumb to the reality that pouting over spilled milk does not work. This year is different however.
This election year, by all accounts, is unlike any that we have ever seen. We probably will never see one again for another lifetime. The divisiveness, rhetoric, and character flaws between the two major party candidates was so bewildering, to say that least, that it was going to be cause for concern no matter who won the keys to the oval office. So it was a matter of time before this lit powder keg ended up exploding. It just so happened to be with the countries media outlets declaring the 45th president of the United States was going to be none other than Donald J. Trump of New York. A choice, that many Americas are incredible sour over. And one that has caused its own set of divisions at the micro level in addition to the political macro level. Riots are erupting in the streets, safe spaces are being organized on college campuses, and hashtags have been created in order to spite the results and put them under unfair scrutiny. This begs the question, in a sea of uncertainty, what is the proper react(s) we should take after this unprecedented election?
No matter how you may feel about President-elect Trump, it is crucial for the survival of this republic, and to ensure that the eventual transition of power from one White House occupant to the next is undertaken, that we give Donald our utmost support. Many seem to forget the deep animosity that plagued President Obama during his transition period after it was announced that, in addition to being the first African-American president, but that he was going to be the 44th president of the United States. Extreme ideologues rallied against his election calling it a national travesty and that the integrity of the office was going to be forsaken for generations. But guess what, we are still here. The country is not burning or lost in an eternal abyss because of his policies - though I whole heatedly disagree with almost everyone of them. And the same lessons then can be learned here.
To continue, you don't have to agree with Trump's policy positions or the words he utilizes in his speeches or even the man himself. President Obama has plenty to disagree with his successor on a variety of fronts. But, the president has indicated that he is willing to cooperate with him over the coming weeks in order to facilitate a smooth transition of power. Not only President Obama, but Trumps opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said pretty much the same thing in her concession speech on Wednesday. And on Thursday of this week, Trump has signaled that he is willing to work with both of them. Even going as far as asking for President Obama's council regarding the etiquette behind the office and calling Secretary Clinton as someone deserving of gratitude given the time she served in public life. A far cry from the so called bigoted and misogynist behavior we thought we knew earlier.
All in all, calmness, respect, and love are urged during this time in our country's history. It is time for healing to come back once more. It is not time for cowering or hateful protests and online assaults that tirade our soon to be commander in chief. Hate does not drive out hate, only love can do that. You never change things by fighting an existing reality. The sooner we can accept ours, then morning in America will be upon us sooner than we realize.
