by Jania James
I found out about the election results around 6:30 in the morning with my roommate by my side, and I was hit with a mix of feelings, mostly disappointment, but not entirely surprise. I had a sense this would be the outcome because, in my view, the Democratic Party didn’t really convey a strong, unified message about what they stand for, leaving voters, especially the undecided ones, without a clear vision.
As I processed the news, I couldn’t help but wonder how Donald Trump managed to draw in so many votes despite his long history of controversial, often divisive remarks. It was surprising to see the significant support he received from minority communities, even though the rhetoric associated with him, his party, and the “MAGA” movement has often seemed, at best, disconnected from the struggles these communities face or, at worst, outright dismissive of them. This disconnect made me think about how powerful narratives can be, even when they’re harmful or contradictory.
I turned to X formerly known as Twitter to see how others were reacting, and it was like entering a storm. The platform overflowed with raw emotion, anger, frustration, heartbreak, even embarrassment. It seemed like everyone was shouting over each other, adding to this noisy, chaotic landscape that left me feeling overwhelmed.
In the midst of all this, I started reflecting on what it would take for the United States to find common ground. This election highlighted just how divided we are, and it made me wonder if there’s a way to bridge these divides, or if they’re just too deep. I know this might sound idealistic, but I can’t help but hold onto some hope for those who are now in power to make choices that help unify, rather than divide, the country. I guess only time will tell if that’s too much optimism, but for now, all I can do is hope that we’ll move forward with a commitment to understanding each other even when it feels impossible.
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Jania James is an intern at Massachusetts Peace Action and a student at Emerson College