As voters across the nation witnessed the most brutal act of political suicide on Election Day 2016, 62.7 percent of Californians stuck together to elect Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate and only the second African American female (the first was Carol Moseley Braun) to take a public oath to serve in the prestigious legislative chamber. After celebrating Harris’s victory, supporters became emotionally deflated as the mass media bypassed Hillary Clinton winning 47.9 percent of the popular vote and declared Donald Trump as the president of the United States based on his receiving the majority of the electoral college votes. Solemn were the faces exiting the doors of Exchange L.A. The devastating results caused the Democratic Party to shut down celebrations much earlier than expected. Yet, the fire of Harris’ fearless speech lightened the mood and left the crowd with a sharp reminder, “Here’s the deal. Our ideals are at stake right now. And we all have to fight for who we are…Do we retreat or do we fight? I say we fight!”
The aftermath of Election Day has left the country in a state of shock and anxiety. Millions mourn, as the nation continues to process the results and impact of the decisions of American voters, non-voters and the electoral college. Republicans now dominate Congress, the Senate and Donald Trump—a businessman, reality tv celebrity and now politician—will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.
Angry anti-Trump protestors have taken to the streets and freeways since the election. Never in American history has there been a post-election meltdown with a reaction to a president-elect like the backlash we are witnessing with Donald Trump. Open racial tension climaxes and Trump blames the mass media for “inciting” riots and protests. Meanwhile, Black people, not a stranger to discrimination are curiously chatting about stop-and-frisk laws, what capacity will Omarosa serve in the Trump Administration and what will Trump really do to “Make America Great Again”?
Hillary Clinton still believes we are “Stronger Together” and she is not sugarcoating recovery, “this is painful and will be for a long time. We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought.”
Post-election blues have postured a contemplative peace in the global atmosphere. What people can not find the words to say, the country can definitely feel. The challenge of inclusion is paramount. The reflection of newly-elected powerbrokers leaves the legacy of the Obama Administration at stake. Truly, the direction and protection of our communities depends on the progressive movement of the people, selfless service and the accountability of those serving in public office to compromise wisely on behalf of the constituents they serve.
Undeniably, it takes time to fully recover from a devastating blow. In order to charter movements from pain to progress, the spirit of democracy must rise from it’s knees and rebel from within to align the order of justice and equality. Now, we must unite with a fearless spirit to fight in spite of the outcome of the presidential election.
