![roxane gay pass over roxane gay pass over](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0338/4872/1545/products/41C_1200x1200_crop_center.jpg)
They see America as a country of scarcity, where there will never be enough of anything to go around, so it is every man and woman for themselves. Its citizens are the people who believe in QAnon conspiracy theories and take Mr. The other United States is committed to defending white supremacy and patriarchy at all costs. We understand that this is a country of abundance and that the only reason economic disparity exists is because of a continued government refusal to tax the wealthy proportionally. We acknowledge that women have a right to bodily autonomy, that every American has a right to vote and the right to health care and the right to a fair living wage. In one, people are willing to grapple with racism and bigotry. There is no greater identity politics than that of white people trying to build a firewall around what remains of their empire as this country’s demographics continue to shift. They may be right, but not for the reasons they mean. Many will say it was identity politics - which, in their minds means a focus by Democrats on the experiences of marginalized people, which some find distasteful - that kept Mr. They will say that once more, Black women saved America from itself, which of course, we did, even though some things don’t deserve salvation. They’ll do this instead of reckoning with how more white women voted for the president this time around and how white men remain the most significant demographic of his base. Too many white liberals will obsess over early exit polls indicating that 20 percent of Black men and a significant number of the overly broad categories of Latinos and Asians voted for Mr. I imagine pundits will try to understand how the 2020 election panned out and why. I expect to hear a lot of frenzied political discourse over the next several months. We live in a democracy, or at least we say we do. And when they fill out their ballots, they finally tell the truth. The ones who want to be invited to all the good parties. We know exactly who they are.Īnd then there are the other Trump supporters, the ones who are ashamed. They are the subjects of fawning profiles that aim to explain their voting tendencies as the result of “economic anxiety,” as if they are tragically misunderstood. They proudly crow about America and pride and nationalism. They drive around with their cars draped in Trump posters and flags and other paraphernalia. Some Trump voters are proud about their political affiliation. Polling can account for a great many factors, but unless they ask about the extent to which racism motivates voters - and find a way to get honest answers on this topic - they will never be able to account for this. The way this election has played out shouldn’t be a surprise if you’ve been paying attention or if you understand racism and how systemic it really is. This is indeed our country and who the proverbial “we” are. And it says a lot about this country that too many people refuse to face. Trump has received nearly 70 million votes is a disgrace.
![roxane gay pass over roxane gay pass over](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qdGTKjXtL._SY344_.jpg)
Biden will probably win more votes than any previous presidential candidate, that President Trump was a contender at all is a disgrace. Odious politicians like Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham were re-elected. Republicans are likely to maintain control of the Senate, which will make enacting progressive legislation nearly impossible. Democrats can and should celebrate this win if it does, indeed, come to pass.Īnd still, many of us are disappointed, for good reason. A win is a win and the margin of that win only sweetens the victory. Joe Biden appears poised to win the presidency, but his win will not be a landslide. The past four years have shattered my faith.
![roxane gay pass over roxane gay pass over](https://s26162.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/rgay_stage_tomcogill_header.jpg)
I am ready to fight for that future, no matter what it holds. The future of this country is uncertain but it is not hopeless. “This is America, a country desperately divided, and desperately flawed. She makes a plea to put aside our differences especially those related to race and to come together for the good of us all. She assumes that Joe Biden will win the presidency, but will face a difficult four years especially with a Republican-controlled US Senate. New York Times opinion writer, Roxane Gay, has a piece today asking Americans whether they are ready to fight for the future of our country.