Since the presidential election has wrapped, so many people are asking me, “What do we do now?” My answer is simple: Rest, recharge, go through the seven stages of grief, and then get back in the fight. America has shown us a side many people knew existed, but the vitriol, hatred of vulnerable populations, gross misreading of the economic dangers ahead, and willingness to support a charlatan-grifter-liar-compromised individual to lead our country has laid bare many Americans’ willingness to surround themselves with incompetence and hatred, all so others are not be given a chance.
I know many people are scared about the road ahead, and there are many reasons to have those feelings. However, we must not let the crazy train dictate our lives. It is bad for our physical health, it is detrimental to our mental health, and it feeds the frenzy of following each impulsive desire of people bent on holding us emotionally hostage to their bad behaviors. It is OK to limit your news consumption. It is more than OK to take a break from social media (especially a certain platform owned by a billionaire that is riddled with inaccurate information and propaganda). It is OK to put yourself first and focus on self care, spending time with family and friends, and reshuffling your real priorities.
I keep reminding people that our ancestors survived much worse. I am allowing myself time to grieve for the country I thought we had progressed into being. The story of America is one of progress and regress. We are in a regression moment, but I know America has the capacity to move forward once again. It may be on the state level; it may even have to begin on the local level.
However, what I do know is true: America will only advance if we take all elections seriously and go to the voting booth thinking about the collective good of our country, not falling trap to the fear-mongering and rhetoric that there are scarce resources being stolen by “undeserving” people. That’s the old okie-doke the Republican party has used for decades to slowly erode civil rights progress and multiracial coalition building.
What do we do now? We rest. This election has taken a toll on folks and the road ahead is long. It is OK to rest and figure out how you will be engaged in the years ahead, beyond the ballot box. It is OK to feel sad and angry about where we are as a nation, but with all things, there must be a time limit. I don’t know how long you’ll need, but allow yourself time and then … pick yourself up and get back to working to make this country a better place.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the book “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and is co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.