Supporters react as Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a concession speech Wednesday on the campus of Howard University in Washington. — AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Donald Trump has regained power.
The former president won all the battleground states including Pennsylvania in a decisive win over Vice President Kamala Harris.
In addition to winning the White House, Republicans regained the U.S. Senate and could maintain control of the House of Representatives.
The election results were beyond disappointing.
This was devastating.
How could a convicted felon be re-elected president?
How could a man who incited an insurrection become commander-in chief?
Trump was able to exploit voters’ fears of migrants and economic anxieties, especially inflation.
It also cannot be ruled out that for some voters electing a Black woman president no matter how qualified was something they could not do. Despite the progress that has been made, racism and sexist are still a significant factor in American society.
Trump’s tax cut proposals appealed to many of the country’s economic elite who rewarded him with huge campaign donations in exchange for lower taxes and less regulation.
Trump won the majority of White men and women and the majority of Latino men. He ran up the vote in rural areas and improved his standing in urban areas.
Many voted for Trump or did not vote at all because they were disillusioned with Democrats or disliked Harris. These voters appeared to ignore the evidence that despite whatever disagreement they had with Harris on a particular issue, Trump would be far worse.
The consequences of Trump’s election are expected to have a devastating impact for years to come.
We can expect mass deportations of immigrants and elimination of policies that benefit minorities, women and members of the LGBT community. Social programs that benefit the poor, the working class and the middle class will likely be slashed to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.
The question is how do we respond to an expected rise in crudeness and cruelty?
We respond with resilience, solidarity and organization.
Our families, faith-based organizations, community groups, colleges, social organizations and other institutions must play a stronger role than ever.
There will be future elections to turn things around.
But first the Democratic Party must reassess and regroup to become a more viable party and the opposition to any attempts by Trump to act like a dictator.
The Democratic Party must appeal to needs of working class people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. It must address bread-and-butter issues that affect the average American’s life.
There is hope.
We have the First Amendment right to assembly and to protest against injustice and any attempt to restrict fundamental rights.
The fight must be made on the local and state level and in the courts.
Most importantly, our deep disappointment cannot become despair.
The NAACP posted a message on social media platform X that bears repeating:
“Regardless of who sits in the White House or the State House, the NAACP stands firm in our mission to protect the civil rights and dignity of Black and marginalized communities. Our commitment to social justice and equity is as resolute as ever. This moment in time calls for resilience and unwavering vigilance. We will not be deterred from our mission. We have a plan.”
In her concession speech at Howard University Wednesday, Harris was right to urge her supporters to “roll up our sleeves” and keep fighting for change.
The work isn’t over.
Reprinted from the Philadelphia Tribune
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