For the past few days I have been walking around in a haze. Am I surprised that an incompetent man beats a highly qualified woman for the presidency? Absolutely not. Am I surprised that racists and racist sympathizers helped elect our 45th president of the United States? Not at all. As I collect my thoughts and emotions, and think of the acceptance and normalization of the alt-right for this new presidency, I am left with concern, frustration and a new resolve to fight the injustice soon coming from the highest level of elected office in America.
In the weeks leading up to the election, I was asked many times who I thought would win the presidency. Based on the polls, past electoral college maps and the competence of the Democratic nominee, I would usually give an answer suggesting a Clinton victory. However, I was always quick to say that even though my “political science brain” believed in a Democratic victory, my “Black girl brain” fundamentally believed that a man who has no experience, multiple bankruptcies, contentious divorces, abusive and racist rhetoric and an inner circle of some of the most divisive men in this country could have a successful night Nov. 8. His decisive victory in swing states across the country has made it clear that white Americans especially do not care about DJT’s lack of preparation or his racist overtones.
Per usual, Black women came to the polls in droves. Shout out to the organization Higher Heights for educating, financially supporting and encouraging Black women to lead and vote! However, the “shocker” of this election was the 53 percent of white women, both uneducated and highly educated, who voted for DJT and against their own interests. These women voted for decreased rights pertaining to abortion, education, marriage equality, financial security and so much more. Do any of these people actually believe DJT will go back to the poor rural communities he visited during the election? In 70 years he has yet to keep his word or honor an agreement. Why would a man who needs an apartment made of gold start now?
So what do we do now? We can start by financially supporting grassroots organizations that have been fighting the likes of DJT for years. For example, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, which has been working on behalf of Black undocumented immigrants, or FIERCE, an organization that supports LGBT youth of color, are just two of the many organizations throughout the country. Rashad Robinson, the leader of Color of Change, has done an excellent job unifying smaller organizations for a larger and more sustained action against oppression, racism and inequality in this country.
I refuse to believe all is lost, but we are going to have to work, organize, stay vigilant and take care of ourselves and one another, especially these next few years. The assault on our spirit, our lifestyle and our humanity has just been formally co-signed by half of the country and although this action is not new or surprising, we must recognize that the fight is now in the open and those who are truly with us must stand up as well. If you’re neutral, you are against equality and your message has been received as a co-conspirator with DJT and the rest of those who wish to oppress others.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University and the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream.” You can find her on Twitter @Dr_CMGreer.
