Since writing my last post, I’ve heard from many people who appreciated what I had to say, and a few who thought I was excusing rather than condemning Trump voters and, in talking about the economy as a major issue that drove people’s votes, failing to strongly endorse the centrality of the critical liberation/justice movements of the past decades: anti-racism, anti-sexism, LGBTQ+ rights, the rights of immigrants and refugees, and other struggles for human dignity and freedom.
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I think that anyone who voted for Donald Trump made a grievous error which will result in untold suffering for millions of people, while ripping at the heart of democracy. It was crystal clear who he was, so the voters knew, and did it anyway, for a wide variety of reasons.
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I think that all of these liberation struggles MUST continue to be cornerstones of policy for those of us on the left, because caring about and protecting others, especially all those who are oppressed, is a major part of who we are.
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Talking about policy is one thing. Strategizing about how to win elections is another. So is analyzing what went wrong, and picking up the pieces in order to move forward.
I just read a carefully-reasoned op-ed by a liberal in a major newspaper. It was followed by 2386 comments, and about 90% of the commenters were Democrats, screaming at the author and at each other. Yes, tension is high right now, and people are angry and very upset. But when the dust settles, we’re going to have to do better.
Here’s where I’m coming from: I’ve always been to the left of the Democratic Party, especially now that the Party itself has moved significantly to the right. I’ve put my body on the line and invested my heart, my skills and my time throughout my whole life for peace, for women, for LGBTQ+ rights, for greater understanding of the politics and culture of the Middle East, for community organizing and safety, for the survival and stability of the arts. In the process, I’ve gained a reputation as someone who is willing to talk to both sides, building trust and finding common ground. I have only been able to do that by starting from a point of respecting my fellow human beings, and refusing to dehumanize or demonize others even when it’s being done by one or both sides.
At the present time, that is a tall order. We are at a very distressing, destructive point in our history. Those of us on the left are shocked and reeling at the realization that so many voted the way they did, and frightened at the vindictiveness of what we see unfolding. We are correct to see an appalling rise in fascist ideology, racism, misogyny, trans-phobia and homophobia, science- and climate change denial, and an outpouring of hate against refugees and immigrants.
Some of those on the right are expectant, waiting for the litany of promises to come true, while others are clamoring at the gates of the Colosseum, ready for the blood-letting to begin, emboldened in their own prejudices and hatred by those about to control the government.
However, eventually some of us will have to try to talk to each other across this abyss. The Democratic Party has to do a lot of soul-searching and, one hopes, significant restructuring and re-strategizing. I fear that the instinct will be to move even farther to the right, but sincerely hope that doesn’t happen. Neoliberalism has failed; the Party’s establishment has to go, new leaders need to emerge. Waging and supporting endless wars must end. Democrats cannot drone-bomb villages and send arms to conflicts that have killed tens of thousands of innocent women and children, while saying they are for women’s rights at home. They cannot accuse the Republicans of corruption when they themselves are corrupt. Both parties are in bed with money and corporate power, and have done little to address the wealth inequality that is fracturing society. These hypocrisies are evident to many people.
The Democratic Party will have to put forward a platform that doesn’t betray its core values and principles, but at the same time addresses the concerns of the more moderate voters who defected to the Republican side, and particularly the disenfranchised people, many of them young, who did not vote for either candidate. We cannot win another election without them. That will require active listening, and, at the same time, quelling the unfortunate tendency of the left to fight among themselves.
Like many of you, I am quite exhausted by the past week and the news that emerges each day. After this post, I plan to take a long break from writing about politics. Let’s all try to be kind to each other and to ourselves, as we regroup and start to move forward. Let’s remember that things change. Nearly half of the country’s voters agree on the basic principles I’m speaking of here, and a majority agree on issues like abortion, gun violence, and wealth inequality. Where there is positive energy and love for one another, people can accomplish a great deal.
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Here is a small action I took today, and that I’d like to recommend to you: Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH Ph.D., is an epidemiologist who started the Substack “Your Local Epidemiologist”. With her team of public health experts, she writes “a public health newsletter that translates evidence-based information for everyday decision-making.” Through it, I’ve learned a great deal about what we know and don’t know, and the history that got us there; epidemics; potential emerging threats; vaccines; the regulatory process; controversial treatments and policies; and practical advice about making good decisions. In addition to the weekly newsletter, there are sections on Mental Health, Violence, Reproductive Health, Infectious Diseases, Public Health Emergencies, and (Mis)information. I have followed this info-letter since 2021, and I’ve just become a paid subscriber to try to help out at a critical time for public health.
In the current issue, “Body as a Shell: The RFK Jr. pick for HHS secretary” she writes:
“For many of us who have devoted our lives to public health, science, and medicine—driven by an unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of Americans—this strikes deep. A mix of profound sadness, anger, exhaustion, and disbelief because the playing field has now completely shifted: Instead of pushing forward toward a healthier society, it’s now about keeping us from moving backward…
…After going through the pandemic, watching rumors turn the public against the people trying to help them, it can suck the wind out of you. Right now, science communicators are exhausted and demoralized at the prospect of doing it all over again.
But we will. I will keep showing up and doing my best to help you sort the evidence from the rumors.
The only thing we mustn’t do is say everything is now pointless and give up on what’s real and true. We’re tired, sad, and afraid. But we’re still here. We’re not going anywhere.”
Those are words we should all take to heart.
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