As much as I’m disappointed with the result of the American presidential election, I am not surprised at all. Anyone who knows a bit about American history, would agree that this country might not have been ready to elect a woman, let alone a black woman as its president. The fact remains; racism and gender biases are systemically ingrained in the American society. This past campaign between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris showed something that we all knew, yet were hoping for a leap of faith forward. For instance, the gender gap between men and women is evidenced of the nationwide polarization of the United States. I’m far from believing that race and gender are the only two factors that prevented Kamala to secure a well-deserved victory. However, it is undeniable that Trump, as a White male, had a free pass on a litany of questionable behaviors that are unfathomable. Like Van Jones commented on CNN, “He gets to be lawless, she has to be flawless.”
Furthermore, the fear of becoming a minority seems to be looming over the head of the white supremacists in the country. The undertone of such a fear within the MAGA movement is evident. The very disturbing plan of “Project 2025,” written by Trump’s loyalists and allies, has clearly highlighted that fact.
Another component that should not be overlooked is the Hispanic men's support for Donald Trump. It was reported that 54 % of Latino men have voted for Trump. It is worth noting that many of the Hispanic Americans identify themselves as Whites; consequently, positioning themselves to rip the fruits of the so-called “White privileges.” For instance, a New York Times and Siena College poll revealed that the majority of Hispanics do not feel concerned with Trump’s rhetoric about immigrants. That poll, which was released on Oct. 13 indicated that 63% of Hispanic likely voters stated “I do not feel like he is talking about me.” They hold such a belief despite that fact that Trump referred to immigrants, which includes Hispanics, as “vermin.” Such perception and self-identity may explain the strong support that Trump receives from the Hispanic community, in spite of the insult that was inflicted upon Puerto Rican during his rally at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Evidently, Biden did not help either with his ridiculous “garbage comment” about Trump’s supporters. In addition, Biden’s foreign policy, especially that of Gaza was another major obstacle for Kamala. Many analysts have suggested that the very popular Governor Josh Shapiro, if selected as her running mate, would have been able to deliver the very important battle ground of Pennsylvania to Kamala.
Furthermore, many are baffled that about 20% of black men, let alone some Haitians have supported Trump. Perhaps, like the Hispanics, those fellow Haitians did not feel empathetic, although Trump called their ancestral land, a “shithole” and referred to their compatriots in Springfield, Ohio as “pet eaters.” Curiousely, while the Kremlin reports that Putin has no plan to soon congratulate Trump, like a house slave, the current Haitian president, Lesly Voltaire was among the first to congratulate Trump—the man who vows to massively deport Haitian immigrants. In my sense, this phenomenon is required further in-depth analysis and studies.
This presidential election showed that Trump knows Americans more than his own campaign, more than the media, and even more than the American intellectual elite. Many might have correctly believed that Americans are smart and decent people. Some have bet on their common sense not to elect a man with 34 felonies, an openly racist, a misogynist, a xenophobe, and a bully. However, the majority of the American population has just proven them wrong. Trump won this election with landslide. Not only he won the electoral vote, but also, unlike 2016, he secured the popular vote. Hence, he does not only regain power, but also he has a true mandate.
To top it all, Trump will govern with a republican senate and a majority hand-picked Supreme Court Justices that recently handed him ultimate powers that linked to a significant presidential immunity. In my view, Trump is the true face of today’s Americans. Those who have voted for him, evidently, deserve him as their president. However, if he puts into action his campaign rhetoric and threats, those who did not vote for him and the rest of the world will inevitably suffer the consequences.
Today, the world is bracing for a forced landing—bracing for a potentially deadly impact after a tumultuous presidential campaign in the United States. The other side of this powerful nation will be in full display for the next four years. The ripple effects of dictators and right-wing extremist may be on the rise globally. It might be a “déjà vu” in the likes of what we’ve seen in Brazil, France, and Germany in the past.
As for the Haitian community, what will eventually come your way in the next four years, what will happen to the TPS holders, the Dreamers, and the Humanitarian Parole recipients that we called “Bideners,” remember who have voted to make that happen. Perhaps that situation might propel the Haitian community to finally organize themselves as a voting block and became politically influential in the United States.
Let’s hope that we survive the next four years. Let’s hope that we are smart enough to position ourselves to be politically and socio-economically more relevant in this great land. Remember, there are opportunities even in the direst of circumstances.
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